Remember all the excitement about the early season snow in November. Seems a long way away. Apparently, this is the longest dry period for many years. It has not really snowed since November. However, I can remember 1991 when it was worse!
BUT THE WEATHER IS CHANGING
The blocking high pressure is starting to decline as evidenced by significant snowfall in Austria and Switzerland over the past 48 hours. There are reports of 40 to 60cm of freshies in the Eastern Alpine resorts like St Anton. The French Alps only got a light dusting from that.
Looking to next week we can see the Jet Stream will move and the high pressure that has blocked all the Atlantic storms should subside. The process will be long slow and drawn out. with a few episodes of light snowfall before 14th January. After that, we hope to see much more significant falls of snow on a more regular basis.
13th Jan 2017
Expect light snow across the French Alps around 10th Jan and again on 13th 14th 15th January. Then from 18th January we are hopeful that winter will resume. However, if it does, expect it to be very cold.
This is how we like it. Regular falls that build up the snow depths more gradually produce a safer snowpack than one large dump and create more powder days in between the snowfalls for us to enjoy the progress.
In the meantime, make sure you go to Val d’Isere and Tignes or Val Thorens in the French Alps which still offer great on piste skiing and have ski touring possibilities or head to Austria for the recent fresh snow.
In anticipation of all this fresh snow, we know the avalanche risk will go up, so we are starting avalanche talks in Val d’Isere on 13th January. Henry will give the talk and we will be able to update you on the current conditions and what to expect
Ride Hard ! Ride Safe The Essentials is back in Val
On 13th January we are starting avalanche talks in Val d’Isere. Piers Ritchie has kindly agreed to host the talks in the the Arctic Cafe for the talks. Henry will be giving the talk at 18.00
Tickets are
£10 for 1 ticket
£8 each if you book two or more
£6 each for seasonaires working in the resort
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