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Chamonix Snow Report: 6th December 2006

featured in Snow report Author Ellie Mahoney, Chamonix Editor Updated

For this next report, I was hoping to regale you with tales of wonderful snowfall, wintery temperatures, piste preparation and general all round snow frolicking. So I waited, and I waited but we've had so many questions from you regarding the current conditions that I can wait no longer; however, you may be forgiven for thinking I've been in Manchester for the last 2 weeks when you see the photos! And no offence to anyone in Manchester as you've probably had far better weather than we've had in here in Chamonix; unseasonably warm, overcast, pouring rain, the odd sunny spell, even frost….but sadly no snow.

It really is quite late in arriving this year. Last December we were already sliding around on the Grand Montets with freshly fallen powder teasing us on the off-piste. However, as you've probably read in our news section, the Lognan cable car is currently undergoing essential repair work on the cable and it will not be welcoming skiers on-board until December 20th at the earliest. It may seem somewhat late in the day to discover a fault that requires the entire cable to be replaced, but it has come about as a result of stricter cable car regulations being introduced since the last safety checks back in May. This has now placed a rather large spanner in the works of the Compagnie du Mont Blanc, who are faced with the challenge of getting one of the other areas open prior to Christmas. Mother Nature is not playing ball at the moment, bringing us temperatures as high as 12 degrees today and dropping to -5 at night, meaning that even a helping hand from the snow cannons is proving tricky. Certainly at resort level there has been no snow making activity for a couple of weeks and Planards and Le Savoy are once again only good for grazing.

However higher up, after the torrents of rain we've had in town today, the Meteo is predicting that this should be transformed into 10-20cms of fresh snow at 1800m. The actual rain/snow limit should be down as low as 1300m but the cloud hasn't lifted enough today for me to confirm that for you. Tomorrow it looks like the sun will be making a comeback all day but then Friday, we're in for another drenching which, if it stays cold, will deposit another few centimetres up top.

I hate being doom and gloom but that's how things are at the moment and I know many of you are anxious to know what the state of play is. It doesn't necessarily mean that we're set for a rubbish season though – not at all – it seems to be the way the seasons are developing, with the snow arriving later and later each year. Of course the Grand Montets being shut has created more of a predicament than normal as it is the most “snow sure” area in the valley. However, I would still be confident that we will get the usual bumper snowfalls later in the season; in the last 5 years, April has yet to be a let down.

Other news, in an attempt to make us feel Christmassy in the absence of snow in resort, the Christmas lights are beginning to twinkle throughout town. Not all of them but there is certainly a “Santa is coming” feel to the town. Many of the shops are now re-opening after a break in November and Christmas window displays are a plenty. Some proprietors have gone more to town than others!! There is also a new addition to our extensive array of big brand stores as The North Face opened the doors of it's fabulous new shop today. Situated right in the centre of town where Sanglard Sports used to be (next to Timberland), there are three floors of the latest North Face winter gear to browse so don't expect to leave empty handed! (Sanglard Sports themselves also have a great new location on Route du Bouchet where the Rond Point Ford garage used to be).

As the seasonal migration heads into town for another winter, the bars are welcoming them in style with some great opening parties planned in the coming weeks. Last weekend saw The Club House and The Jekyll open their doors and (as memory permits!) a great night was had by all present. This weekend is the turn of La Terrasse to host the party which is certain to be a top night and I'm sure we'll be seeing some familiar entertainment with seasoned favourites The Juggernaut of Rock if we're really lucky!! Well, if you can't ski there's always the après!!!!


Useful Information
Cross-country skiing is Closed
Piste Maps for Chamonix (pdf format), Les Houches (jpg format), Cross-country skiing (pdf format), and Mountain-bike trails (pdf format)
Current status for opening of Pistes & Lifts
Chamonix Webcam Index

We will be keeping this Chamonix snow report updated often during the season, but if you want even more up-to-date news on the ski conditions, why not sign up for our Dump Alert? We'll email you each time it snows enough to significantly change the skiing conditions. It's great to know that the snow is falling in the run-up to your holiday, and it might even allow you to book a last-minute weekend when the snow is particularly good. The service is free, and you can unsubscribe whenever you like.

Useful Links
Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research
French Avalanche Research Institute
Meteo France - Mountain weather and avalanche conditions bulletins (in French)
Henry's Avalanche Talk - popular avalanche training sessions based in French Alps as well as translation of current avalanche conditions
PisteHors.com - Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding News in English for the French Alps. Excellent coverage of avalanche safety and advice

Additional snow and weather information provided, with thanks, by meteo.chamonix.com and the Tourist Office

Stats

Avalanche Risk
  • Level 1

Snow Report
  • 0

  • Total Pistes: 80

  • Alt. Resort: 2300

  • Alt. Summit: 3000

  • Alt. Last Snow: 1800

  • High Temp.: 12

  • Alt. High Temp.: 1050