Chamonix Snow News 2011-2012 from Ski Breezy

Periodically Breezy and Alun will share news about what is going on in the valley so that you can get a true picture of the snow conditions. Alternatively join us on Facebook and contribute yourself.

7th Frebruary - Cold
The temperatures have dropped to about minus 20 degrees. Slopes are holding the snow and the coffee shops are doing a roaring trade. Problems with diesel cars as fuel is waxing up and blocking filters. Forecast is to get a little milder and more snow before the weekend.

2nd February - Couloir Bellin, Le Brevent



28th January - One day of sun
It's snowing again today but we did have one day of sun last week on Thursday. Breezy and I took our touring kit and a couple of friends and headed for La Flegere to ski tour up to Col de Dard.
More fresh snow bodes well for skiing for the season!

22nd January - More and more snow
Had a glorious week of blue skies and off piste action. Guests enjoyed the Vallee Blanche and a days ski touring as well as a trip to Courmayeur. Massive dump of snow on Friday night (1m) gave much fun on Saturday at Les Houches. High avalanche risk at the moment and more snow forecast for tomorrow. Yippee!

14th January - Blue sky skiing
Wow time just flies when you're having fun. Had some great skiing this week in sunshine with no lift lines. Le Couloir Bellin off Le Brevent, the Valley Blanche, back bowls of Le Tour. All in great conditions.

7th January - Avalanche warning 5/5
There just seems to be no let up in the snow. Run out of places to put it from the dive of the chalet in Chamonix. Managed some runs off the mid station of the Aiguile du Midi yesterday in perfect powder. Sun is due to come out for a couple of days Mon & Tues.

23rd December - Sun comes out
After 5 days of skiing powder the sun finally made an appearance. CMB say that 99% of the Chamonix Valley lifts will open from tomorrow.

20th December - Day 4 of fresh tracking powder snow
Breezy and I are seriously running out of places to put the snow off the drive of the chalet in Chamonix.
2 days skiing powder at Les Houches followed by another 2 at Grand Montets. And it is still snowing.

11th December - First Guests are in - Season has started
The 1st guests are in the chalet and starting an Off Piste course at Grand Montets tomorrow morning. Breezy and I headed up the hill to see what conditions are like.
The pistes are in incredibly good condition considering that 2 weeks ago they were still grass and rock. Even off piste is really grippy nice snow. More snow forecast all day tomorrow.

6th December - The snow has arrived

Yup, it is here and just won't stop falling now. CMB state that Grand Montets will open this Saturday, 10th December. Check out the Chamonix webcams and see for yourself!.

8th November - Buy Helly Hansen stuff and ski for free!

Need a new jacket? Helly Hansen have teamed up with CMB and are offering a free day pass for Chamonix when you buy a jacket with a Skifree swing tag. And EV2 the ski school are offering discounts with the same tag scheme. More info Here!

3rd November - What's new this Winter in Chamonix?

For those of you who love big air and soft landings CMB are installing a monster air bag jump at Le Brevent this winter. Needless to say the air mattress is for landing! So you can get to try out those new moves with professional park instructors in relative safety. Admittedly not as good as landing in 4m of fresh powder but you cannot have everything everyday.

Up at La Flegere the new 27,000m3 lake is full and ready to provide water for the new snow cannon system to make the domain more snow sure this winter. There is also a new restaurant though run by SERAC; a sandwich is going to be about 6€. And apparently the liaison to Le Brevent is getting a facelift, which probably means a sticker or two.

At Domaine de Balme (Le Tour) they are installing a boarder cross area for skiers and snowboarders.

Up at Grand Montets there has been much digging, mining and the installation of a 750m2 matt to save snow over the summer. All this effort is to get the top bin at GM open early this season and allow the piste bashers to maintain the area better through the winter. Also a series of HD cameras have been installed on the snowpark with a big screen at the bottom so that you can admire your run. It is also linked online so that you can share with all your Social Networking friends on the web.