Morzine Snow Report: 19th April 2013

Unfortunately, though, the weather forecast looks set to put a bit of a downer on things. For the last weekend of the winter season, we’re forecast rain and snow, but mostly snow. This is a bit of a downer for the end of the season as everyone here seems to have been really enjoying the sunshine, but after the lifts finally grind to a halt, and the season ends, the sunshine is set to return to Les Portes du Soleil.

The weather forecast is currently predicting snow down as low as 1,900m tomorrow afternoon, and even lower overnight. The rain that we’re experiencing tonight should gradually turn to snow high up as temperatures drop, with maybe a smattering of snow higher up in the morning, and snow getting heavier into the afternoon. Saturday should dawn grey with continued snowfall from mid to high levels, with the sun starting to return, just in time for closing on Sunday, with milder temperatures too. There might be a little snow in the afternoon but that’s about it. The first week of ‘inter-season’ should dawn with mixed conditions as the temperatures rise again, and what little snow there is on the forecast turns from snow to rain again. We’ll be leaving Les Portes du Soleil with meters of wet slushy snow hampering progress of maintenance needed for the summer bike tracks. Good luck to the guys working on these as it looks like they’ll have a lot of digging to do before they get down to the tracks.

This may not be the most skier friendly end to this winter but it doesn’t really matter. We’ve had a fantastic winter season, with amazing, record breaking snowfall. It’s been off the hook! And, if you’re up high, and have a little bit of luck on your side, you might even see some powder on the last day of the winter season. Make the most of these last few days; it’s going to be a while until we can ski again, although we should have a lot to look forward to.

The new gondola, taking you up to Avoriaz, will not only be running, but be finished for next winter, and there are new lifts going in all over the place. Morzine is getting a new gondola up to Le Pleney, and some of the chair lifts on the Swiss side are set to be replaced too. We also have a mountain biking season to look forward to here in Les Portes du Soleil in the meantime.

If you are skiing tomorrow and Friday, remember your waterproofs, and then for Sunday, sun cream will be top of the list again. You will now be limited to central Avoriaz, and the Pres La Joux end of Chatel, but there is still good skiing to be had if you can bear to brave the weather. The slopes are at their best in the morning, so get up early if you want to avoid the worst of the slush (and the weather by the looks of the forecast!), and have a chilled out afternoon elsewhere. The last couple of days of the season should be days of fun, with nothing too stressful involved.

I’m already looking forward to next winter and many sunny, powder filled days on the slopes. My first winter in the Portes du Soleil has given me high expectations and the area has proved itself to be on a par with the likes of Espace Killy and Les Trois Valleys. Once you get to know the area, there are great off piste runs, and the snow-cross areas mean there is off piste here that is accessible to all, not just the powder hungry free riders. The pistes are fantastic and there’s something to suit all levels of skiers and snowboarders. The snow parks live up to their reputation and are more that worth a visit on their own. This area is giving the big guns a run for their money now and well it should.

Take care, have an awesome summer, and hopefully I’ll be writing to you again next winter!