Morzine Snow Report: 25th March 2013

The music was fantastic, as it has been for all of the events here, the concert in Morgins was one of the ones to see, ‘Caravan Palace’ are nationally famous in France, and are heading off on a world tour this winter. There were some big names this year, as the Rock the Piste festival continues to grow here in Les Portes du Soleil, and everyone is looking forward to next winter’s event. The weather may not have been ideal, but the organizers proved that the show would go on, and it would still be great!

Back to snow conditions, and things are looking very varied. Last week we had some superb conditions, and we had some of the best powder days of the season, especially when the sun came out. There was almost half a meter of fresh fluffy powder, filling in all the old tracks and offering some great snow. It was out of this world, I even managed to get my deep powder board out of the bag for the first time this winter! We also found a great place for lunch, La Fontaine Blanc in central Avoriaz, offers among other things, a Basserie du Mond at lunch time, and this is fantastic, especially if you’re not into cheese served with every dish!

The forecast light snow is forecast up high tonight, and as it’s misting with rain down in the valley it sure feels like it should be snowing. Light snow is forecast to continue into Monday, right into the evening. Tuesday should see some sunshine in the morning, followed by snow showers in the afternoon and a clear starry night. Remember your sun cream on Wednesday as it looks set to be a cloudless, bright, day with snow showers returning up high again on Thursday. Friday is forecast more light snow up high too. The temperatures are set to be fairly mild, with low wind speeds even up at the top, until Thursday night and Friday when the wind is set to spike to around thirty-five kilometres per hour. This shouldn't make things get to cold though, and the freezing level is set to be at two thousand five hundred meters throughout Friday day. Although there is a little snow on the forecast, it will be falling as rain lower down, so you might want to bring an umbrella if your staying anywhere other than Avoriaz this week. We seem to have swapped conditions with Scotland and Wales! The UK is getting dumped on, and we’re getting rain!

With conditions set to be very mixed, my best advice for skiing is to stay high, and make sure you have good waterproofs with you, as it’s going to be wet. Try and make the most of the first half of the day, as with warmer temperatures, combined with the rain it’s going to get wet and slushy very quickly lower down, making for slushy moguls in a lot of places! Water ski’s could be more appropriate than snow ski’s if you’re intending to ski till last lifts his week!

We are getting close to the end of the season, so these warmer temperatures should really be expected, we’ve been blessed with some great conditions so far this winter and fingers crossed that we get some more. Last season we got some late powder snow, and who knows? We might get some more again this winter, but just incase, make the most of the snow, whatever the conditions. Ski holidays are a luxury and can be fun whatever the weather. Remember most of the resorts here have sports complexes which can be a great alternative if it’s too yuk for skiing! Avoriaz even has a brand new this winter Aqua Park, Aquariaz! It gets great reviews and is perfect for kids and adults alike!

Easter is coming up next weekend too, so there’s bound to be a few egg hunts around the resorts, and if not, you can always set up your own! Everywhere is selling Easter eggs, and I even saw a bunny on the slopes today! The French love tier religious holidays, so make like the locals, when in France, do as the French, and give the kids some Easter eggs (adults like them too!)

Enjoy the holidays, and good luck getting here if you’re stuck in a UK snow storm, the driving should be easier on this side of the channel!

Bon ski!