A strange old winter!

As you may have seen from previous blog (yes I know, back in early December) the 2010/11 season started in style with 1.5 metres on snow falling by the end of November. Back then, as we skied champagne powder in freezing cold temperatures, it was hard to imagine this Winter being anything other than memorable.

Warm temperatures and heavy rainfalls in December washed away about 75% of the early snow but left us with a good base ready for the next big snowfalls.......which never really came! Sure, we've had the odd snowfall and it even snowed on Christmas Day. A couple of warm weeks in the New Year, which felt more like Spring than Winter, ate into the base and transformed the little snow we had into 'hardpack' and ice.

In the last couple of weeks however the temperatures have plumetted again, allowing the snow canon in Les Gets and Morzine to run full tilt and produce large quantities of 'man-made' snow. The piste bashers have done a fantastic job moving snow around and keeping most slopes open. Most pistes are complete and the snow quality currently varies from 'hard and grippy' to 'hard and slippy'. Temperatures are staying sub-zero and the snow is therefore being preserved.

Most holidaymakers in the last couple of weeks have been pleasantly surprised by the ski conditions and the blue skies and sunshine have enhanced their ski holidays. In the run up to the busy half-term break, many people are understandably concerned about the conditions. The old locals in Les Gets assure me that snow will arrive with the new moon in mid-February and, that in 1970 no snow fell till February when we had 16 metres......who am I to argue!

Here's a photo taken at Chavannes in Les Gets on 27 Jan where the snow is in excellent condition. See more on our photo gallery:
www.skischool.co.uk/photo.asp