A snowy slope with a red pole in the foreground

A person skiing down a snowy slope with trees in the background

A snowy mountain range with trees on the side of it

A snowy mountain range with a blue sky in the background

Chamonix Snow Report: 9th April 2010

featured in Snow report Author Kieran Sharp, Updated 24 October 2014

Conditions are changing quickly in the valley we had a good week of continuous snow last week with powder days every day, but as soon as the sun comes out the powder will quickly, even over the course of just one day, turn the powder in to a more slushy substance. This is good still if you have the strength in your legs, but when it snows you need to get up early to make the most of it!

Right now some more weather is moving in to the valley which hasn't brought any snow with it just yet but we can hope and pray that it does so in the very near future. Overall the conditions on most south or anything except north facing slopes below 3000m have been pretty much slush, but good to ride and very forgiving for landings! As the north facing slopes have been subjected to the freeze thaw process now with some fairly high temperatures earlier in the week, this has meant that the slopes have become a bit harder and stayed that way for a good part of the day with the slightly cooler temperatures of the past couple of days.

So mostly for the past couple of days it has been the south facing slopes that have been calling with their early transformation in to slushy goodness! Although great care should be taken on some of the steeper slopes off piste, especially as the day grows warmer, as we are entering the time of year where there will be large wet slides and as the season draws to a close it is possible for the entire snow pack to give way and create some very large avalanches! So pick carefully when and where you go off piste, make sure you have the right equipment and the knowledge to use it correctly. Hiring the services of a local guide will be of great benefit during your stay in Chamonix, they will be able to show you some of the best spots to ride depending on the conditions, and give good advice on equipment and how to use it effectively.

There have been quit a few wet slides happening around so I haven't been as enthusiastic to go on any tours as in previous weeks so playing around the pistes riding slushy moguls or getting in to the off piste to get some fresh slush has been the way forward. In the afternoon after a cold night Grand Montets home run is wicked if you like riding slush and good practice for mogul riding as they are so much more forgiving than their icy cousins! Yesterday we spent the day riding the home run, practicing riding the moguls and even gave it a go switch for those who dared! However riding in these conditions is hard work on the legs so it wasn't long before we found ourselves in The Office Bar in Argentiere which is only a short walk from the lift station and at this time of year is great for sitting outside and enjoying some Après ski beers, and they are the place to go when they get the BBQ out!

Check out what to do around town once the lifts have closed with our Apres Ski Report - a weekly round up of what's hot and where to party in Chamonix!