Chamonix Snow Report: 8th May 2005

Fun and frolics continued on the water slide with people really going for it today. We saw plenty more bare skin than we should have done, including some bare-faced cheek from a guy on an air board (basically an inflatable bodyboard for sliding down the mountain). There were monoskis, snow scoots and the more usual methods of sliding down a hill attempting the wall, including one snowboarder who overenthusiastically went right over the top onto the padding behind! Up in the sky above us, legendary helicopter pilot Pascal was dropping assorted base-jumping loony toons and winged suits with smoke billowing from their legs.

The beer started to take effect so I decided to sample the fun box in front of us; it started off fun until I smashed myself on it, a predictable outcome but, hey, it's the end of the season. For those actually interested in skiing we did a few runs on the Bochard, which was so much better than yesterday. The bullet-proof ice had turned into soft slush pretty much all the way to the top; good fun indeed especially for the gang of air boarders who looked like they would be needing a good lawyer after all the crashes they got into. In fact the snow was so good there have been unofficial rumours that Grands Montets will be open next weekend. Today it was even busier than yesterday and there was a real buzz in the air. Plan Joran and Tabe opened to take the pressure of the Argentiere-Lognan cablecar. The top cable car had a long queue, long enough to deter us so we drank beer instead.

Thanks to everyone for reading the reports, and for the encouraging emails sent in. So, this is it from the Snow Report till next winter, but watch out for the Rock Report, which will be starting soon. Have a great summer whatever you do. Cheerio.

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