Morzine Snow Report : 24th December 2012

Tomorrow mornings is set to be a little cloudy, but with the sun poking its head through occasionally, then, unfortunately, due to the two to three degrees Celsius temperatures predicted, there is a little light rain forecast around mid day, followed by a dip in the temperature and snow due in the evening. 

Then on Thursday, or Boxing day, light snow is due all day, along with slightly cooler temperatures, around minus three. The snow should get slightly heavier over night, with more due right through Thursday and into Friday morning, along with a little sunshine. Friday afternoon should be cloudy, and Saturday is due to be glorious and sunny.  The only slight blip on the horizon is the wind. Unfortunately it’s due to be around twenty kilometers per hour on Christmas day, and then again on Wednesday night and all through Thursday. Friday should be much calmer, and a good end to the week though.

I have my mom visiting for the first time since I started doing seasons this winter, and it’s been interesting seeing the more touristy side to resort. My mom can ski, but hasn’t for almost 30 years, so has been taking it easy. We skied mostly green and blue runs today, and although these runs seemed a little busier, with all the ski schools around, the pistes were in great condition and we had a really good day.

The quietest point of the day was around lunchtime. We had a slightly later start, as my mom and her friends only have 5 hour per day passes for the area, and skied though lunch, when we had some of the best skiing of the day. The runs were quieter, the sun was shining, and the snow was in great condition.

The higher up areas are still where the best skiing is, with the warmer temperatures, down low gets very slushy towards the end of the day. My mom downloaded on a gondola to avoid the worst of the slush and to be honest, I wished I had done the same. I normally snowboard, but was on skis today, so found the soft snow hard work.

Les Portes du Soleil offers a wide selection of lift pass options, but for those not wishing to ski all day, the 5 hour pass can be a really good option. You don’t have to start at mid-day, so you can make the best of the skiing and choose the time you like to be up the mountain! They also offer non-consecutive day ski passes which are great if you’d like a day off in the middle of your week to relax and let your legs recover.

As we’re due some rather high winds this week, you might want to avoid the higher points on these days (Tuesday and Thursday), and stay slightly lower, for example skiing the Morzine area instead of Avoriaz in the worst of the wind. On the other hand, you could wrap up really warm and embrace the winter! A scarf or facemask is the best way to get through the cold wind chill, and lots of layers.  Plus, it might be a little quieter on the colder slopes, and as Christmas in a ski resort tends to be really busy, avoiding the crowds is key to getting the most out of your skiing.

The forecast may be varied this week, but nothing on it looks too bad. Weather is not going to be an excuse not to ski this week, as you’ll be able to find a piste or some powder to suit everyone.

With all that on the horizon, Christmas week looks like it’s going to be a good one! Enjoy the snow and have a great Christmas!!!