The snow conditions back country have been amazing this past week. We have ventured over the Autannes from Le Tour and had numerous excursions from the Aiguille du Midi. As one of the group said “that is the best ski I have ever had”. Read on…
Sun has given way to snow and there is a lot of it. Day two of powder skiing in Chamonix. You either pretend you can see or head for the trees. More snow daily as the slopes get topped up for some awesome skiing and snowboarding. Dream forest at Grands Montets has been the preferred destination. Read on…
We have been heading up the Aiguille du Midi and ski touring over to the Helbronner for coffee. The coffee is great and inexpensive and we have been building up some fitness at the same time. The skiing down the Vallee Noir has also been in brilliant condition with chalky snow and no bumps. The 517 steps from the ice cave at Montenvers up to the gondola to reach the train have assisted with the fitness regime. Read on…
Normally skiers are confined by piste markers and restrained by barriers. We have been lucky enough to see and capture on camera some skiers playing in the wilderness of their natural habitat. When the weather is inclement they can usually be found in the trees where the visibility is better but when the sun comes out they can be seen in the open slopes of the mountain. One can occasionally hear the distinctive “Whoop whoop!” of a skier which is a sign of excitement. Read on…
After almost an hour to get up the Flegere cable car (Brevent cable car is broken this week) we did a warm up run and met up with Jen and Darryl. The four of us then set off for the … Read on…
We found we had a day skiing to ourselves and so headed up the Aiguille du Midi for a recce of the Vallee Blanche. The ridge is still only partially equipped so there were very few people skiing off. Temperatures were super cold. Crampons are definitely an advantage for walking down the ridge at the moment as the going is rough. Read on…
The super cold temperatures have kept the snow in fantastic condition even on the south facing slopes of Brevent and Flegere. One has to work a little harder each descent to find the untracked stuff but there is plenty out there to go round. More snow due on Wednesday of this week, our day off, bring it on. Read on…
Yesterdays snowfall and that which fell overnight saw the avalanche risk settle at 4. Grands Montets had delayed opening and Brevent/Flegere had limited opening. We just managed to drive up to Le Tour without snowchains and (strangely) we were the only vehicle in the carpark (which was in the process of being dug out).
Some of the off piste was wind affected but there was plenty of scope for some fresh tracks. The weather came and went along with visibility and wind. By midday the wind had picked up enough to make the back chair unpleasant signalling that a coffee was overdue. Still plenty of lines to go at! Read on…
The up was firm and the couteau were invaluable, especially on the traverse over to the Col de Rachasses which was super exposed to the wind. For comparatively little effort to get up there I have to say that the ski down was fantastic. The couloirs were full of blown in snow and in amazing condition. Read on…
