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Morzine Snow Report: 21st December 2012

End of the World? Nope....Just More Powder in the Portes du Soleil

featured in Snow report Author Debbie Priestley, Morzine Reporter Updated

Some said the world would end last night, and the weather forecast has been pretty awful looking, but in actual fact. I don’t think it was all that bad here in the Alps. One Swiss newspaper printed raining fire as the forecast followed by nothing-ness. In actual fact, we did have rain - not so much fire - but it was even cold enough for the rain to turn into snow in some places.

We woke to pleasantly clear skies this morning and headed up the mountain with even a little blue showing above. We expected heavy, or even crusty snow after all the rain, but in actual fact found some pretty good conditions, and even a little powder snow!

We did see evidence of some pretty big avalanches, especially in the Lindarets area of Avoriaz. The weight of the wet snow has caused at least one full depth slide there but it was overnight and looked like a natural (not triggered) slide so thankfully no one was in its way. The pisteurs have definitely been working hard to secure the slopes, with avalanche blasting starting early in the morning, so do take care out there. There is some great snow to be found if you have all the right avalanche safety kit with you though (avalanche transceiver, beacon, shovel).... and who doesn’t like a little bit of powder snow? Even just skiing between the pistes was good today, especially on the higher slopes.

The weather forecast is still looking a little bleak for the next few days but it has improved drastically since the start of the week. From tomorrow, the temperatures are due to rise, with freezing level getting as high as 3,600 meters on Monday morning. This is above the height of the top lift, so expect it to be warm. We’re still due a little rain on Saturday afternoon, and lots over night, which hopefully will fall as snow higher up. Then the temperature is due to rise to as high as four degrees on Monday morning with blue skies and sunshine forecast through Sunday and Monday. The snow is set to make a return though, and we’re due at least a few centimeters from Monday night onwards, heaviest on Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon. Fingers crossed that the temperature does drop as forecast, and we get snow and not rain (It does look more likely to be snow though!).

This weekend is the big official opening for Les Portes du Soleil. Almost every chair lift should be up and running for Christmas week. At the moment a lot of the less central areas of Les Portes du Soleil are open but have very few chairlifts running. In Morgins, on the Swiss side, for example, there has been one chair and a couple of beginner drag lifts running with the rest due to open tomorrow. Super Chatel should also be opening for the skiers looking to explore a little further afield. If you are skiing over the border into Switzerland, do remember to carry identification in case anything goes wrong as you can actually be stopped and asked for it.

With the Chrismas holidays starting this week, the ski area here is going to be a little on the busy side. Have patience in the lift line, no one likes a queue jumper, and maybe think of skiing a little further afield. Places that are usually busy include the Lindarets ski area in Avoriaz as a lot of lifts depart fro the bottom of here, and anywhere else centrally positioned. If you have a car, starting from Ardent instead of Les Prodains cable car could be a good idea especially if you can be there early.

As it’s the holidays, get up early, enjoy the sun and snow, and try to avoid the crowds. Take lunch either slightly earlier or later and you’ll probably miss the rush, or a packed lunch on sunny days can save you literally hours of time over the holidays. Look out for Santa in town (I’ve seen him handing out chocolate already!), and wrap up warm when the snow does come.

Check out our Events Calendar for ideas on where to go to make the most of your après ski and evenings out in Morzine and Avoriaz. 

Four days to go - yiippeeee!!!

Stats

Snow Report
  • Alt. Resort: 1800m

  • Alt. Summit: 2466m

  • High Temp.: Nord

  • Alt. High Temp.: 1800m