From bluebird at Brevent to snowfall at Les Houches

Besides a little sprinkling overnight last Thursday, snow has been a bit scarce so far this season. However, low temperatures have kept it better than you might expect and the snow cannons have been doing a good job.

On Monday afternoon I went up Brevent, where there is still only the black Charles Bozon piste and the nursery slope open but it’s in great condition for a few fast laps and now that the Christmas crowds have gone, you can whizz round to your heart’s content. The snow was soft and chalky, albeit very hard and compacted underneath; fine on skis, probably quite hard work on a snowboard.

Bright blue skies and blazing sunshine made it warm enough to enjoy a quick pitstop on the deckchairs at the Brev’Bar in between laps.

Tuesday was a completely different story over at Les Houches… thick white clouds had come in overnight and brought just what we’ve been waiting for. Les Houches is the best place in the valley on a day like this; the trees give some visibility and you can ski fresh snow as it is falling and covering over your tracks.

Not all the lifts and pistes are open yet at Les Houches but there is plenty to play around on and zipping about in the soft light powder put a massive grin on my face! There were a fair few icy patches lurking beneath the fresh snow to catch you out and a brief foray off the sides of the pistes revealed a few rocks and branches not far under the surface, so be careful if you’re going off-piste.

Tomorrow is forecast to clear up again, with more snow forecast for the tail end of the week. It finally feels like winter is here!