Chamonix Snow Report: 8th May 2008

Towards the end of last week, I donned the skis again (which is becoming a habit!) and headed to Flegere. With minimal lifts open (just the Index and the Trappe chairs) the area was understandably deserted and we had great fun practising those parallel turns on wide open pistes. The snow at the top of the Index was still pretty firm, becoming slushier as we dropped back down towards the mid-station but still not a single rock coming through on any of the pistes which, considering the area is bathed in sunshine day in day out was pretty incredible. Flegere is now closed for the season and will re-open on June 7th for the summer hikers and bikers. The cable car will be running every 15 minutes from 8.30am – 4.50pm and the Index chair will run continuously throughout the day.

Saturday, and it was back on the board and up to Grands Montets, where we had a top ticket booked for 1pm. We were glad to see the Herse back in operation over the weekend as the chairs had been removed from the cables at the end of last week and we thought that our time on that lift was over for the season. First run down the Combes piste was pretty rock hard at the top, the three of us being deafened by that noise that casts fear into the heart of nervous skiers – snowboards on ice!! As we were riding down I was trying to think what the sound reminds me of and I came to the conclusion it's a bit like the noise the Tardis makes as it begins to teleport (you have to turn pretty quickly for a more authentic impression!). Anyway, halfway down conditions changed dramatically and we were soon cutting big GS turns in the soft, but not slushy, spring snow. We did a few more circuits on this lift, with conditions softening and improving with each run. At the moment, the snow is generally pretty concrete before 11am, and then it gradually softens until you get about an hour of optimal snow conditions where things have softened just enough to carve a good turn but before it turns to sugary slush.

Top ticket was a treat too. Although we had reservations, friends that were queuing didn't have to wait more that 20-30 minutes to get in a cabin. Once at the top, we headed right at the bottom of the stairs and came straight down the front face. Whilst there wasn't the powder we'd been raving about last week, conditions were still cold and grippy up there and we were still finding the odd little powder stash to sink a turn into. Lower down, the snow was noticeably heavier but still enjoyable, and in much better condition than the Blanchots trail (skiers right from the top of the Herse) which was still very hard and chopped. With it being such a beautiful day, it seemed only appropriate to spend the rest of the afternoon on the terrace at Lognan, before downloading on the Plan Joran chair.

Sunday was of course - Freeride Days!! - the official end of season party on the slopes. You've possibly already read my news article on the event so I won't repeat myself here, but needless to say it was a brilliant day on the hill and certainly one of the best in recent years. I did 2 runs, one off the Herse and one off the Bochard where conditions were pretty much identical to Saturday, so I headed back to Lognan to join in the fun. Don't forget to check out Jon's Video Snow Report from the event and I've also put some more pictures in the Gallery now if you haven't already taken a look.

I must admit, I didn't really see any of the big air competition on Sunday, but when I headed back up there on Monday there were some guys playing on the jumps, the transitions on which were just phenomenal! I have no idea how people have the courage to even attempt jumps on this scale never mind pull off the tricks they do and sail away unscathed on the landing. Full credit! The area was absolutely deserted on Monday, people walking straight onto the Bochard gondola and the Marmottons chair (the only lifts still open) and no queues whatsoever for the top cable car.

I'll be bringing you one more snow report early next week; rounding up the final few days of the season. Grands Montets closes on Sunday 11th May and will re-open again on July 5th. You can find full details of the summer lift opening and closing dates by clicking on this link.

Until next week….