Morzine Snow Report: 21st February 2013

The forecast is showing sunshine until Saturday but with much colder temperatures starting to crop up. Thursday and Friday look set to see temperatures (with wind-chill included) drop to as low as minus seventeen during the day at the top of the hills. The freezing level is set to drop to ground zero at night so be careful if you’re driving, and even just walking around town as it’s going to get icy.

On Saturday afternoon we should see a welcome return of the snow. We should see showers in the afternoon and overnight, with light snow due all day Sunday, and snow showers through Monday. The temperatures are still set to be very low though, getting down to minus twenty (with wind chill) on Sunday morning, so bring the thermals back out of the closet - you can’t pack them away just yet. it's worth bearing in mind so far this season that whenever Snow Forecast has predicted a little snow, we’ve had a lot. Driving could be pretty dangerous with freezing conditions over the weekend so take care and if you are heading up to Avoriaz, please remember to put snow chains on at the bottom of the hill if it’s snowing. It’s too late when you’re half way up the hill and already sliding as a lot of people found during the last snowfall we had a few weeks back.

Over the last week we’ve had some fantastic snow conditions and great weather. The sunshine has been fantastic, and it’s almost been T-shirt weather at the top of the hills over the last few days. All across Les Portes du Soleil we’ve had fantastic conditions since the weekend. The snow has been brilliant left right and center, the number of people on the piste, however, has not been so great. We’re now well into the holiday period and it is definitely busy out there.

With the slopes currently packed with folk, it’s really important to watch out for other people on the slopes. I’ve seen quite a few collisions over the last couple of days, and especially towards the end of the day when the slopes are scraped bare by the number of skiers on them. Take extra care when passing snowboarders, as when you’re behind them, they cannot see you. A lot of skiers unthinkingly cut across snowboarders from their blind side (behind them) and accidentally cause crashes. That said, snowboarders need to check behind themselves when they’re about to turn sharply too, and should be aware of their blind side.

My usual techniques to avoid the worst of the bustle apply - pick ski areas a little out of the mainstream, and get up early to enjoy the best of the snow. Mont Chery should still be a great place to head for some quieter skiing if you’re in or near Les Gets. St-Jean d’Aulps is also good if you can handle a short bus trip to get there. If you’re in Avoriaz, then unfortunately you are center stage for all the action, but heading to the slightly quieter Switzerland could be a good move towards finding some more peaceful skiing. Chatel is also going to busy with a lot of school groups descending on the town. If you’re based here then heading down to Chapelle d’Abondance or over to the Swiss resorts of either Morgins of Torgon could be your best bet. Torgon also has some great freeride potential but be prepared for loads of button lifts! If you are venturing off piste, do be careful, as the freeze-thaw cycle and large temperature fluctuations have caused some massive natural slab slides. Always check the avalanche bulletin, ride with others and make sure your whole group take avalanche safety gear (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe) - it really could save your life one day!

It looks set to be busy here until the middle of March, so if you are able - make the most of transfer weekend skiing (it’s a season workers secret - when everyone else is travelling to and from resort the slopes are a much more peaceful place to be, but you didn’t hear it from me!), and good luck in escaping the crowds during the week. I’m off to scope out Torgon for a little powder hunting in the morning.

Stay safe, enjoy the mountain, and remember your thermals, the Snow Queen hasn’t left the mountains yet and it’s going to be freezing out there!

Bon ski!