Morzine Snow Report: 7th February 2013

The powder really has been amazing here this week. It hasn’t really stopped snowing since Saturday and conditions have been out of this world. On Monday I skied in Avoriaz and headed straight for the Snow-Cross zone. We found fantastic conditions, and even fresh tracks on the way down. The Avoriaz Snow Cross Zone, which is marked on your piste map with a hollow line and on the far right of the piste map, is basically an un-pisted blue, red or black run. If you get to it early on a powder day, it’s out of this world! There are several other Snow Cross Zones across Avoriaz, these areas are ‘safe’ off piste areas, in that the snow around them has been secured by the Pisteurs. You can safely ski or snowboard there without avalanche safety kit, although it is still always advisable to carry it if you’re skiing off piste.

The conditions only improved on Tuesday, with more snow falling overnight and throughout the day. The visibility was poor, and in the latter half of the day the wind got up to over fifty kilometers per hour which made for some freezing skiing conditions. We were worried at one point that some of the lifts were going to close because of the wind and we might get stuck. Luckily, the Lifties kept things going and most of the lifts stayed open till closing time.

Conditions on Wednesday were much more pleasant. The morning began with more snowfall, which continued through out the day, but with a lot less wind. The powder snow was out of this world. It was a little heavy in the morning, but as the temperatures dropped, the powder became much lighter. I finished the afternoon in Morgins, with two of the local M3S Snowboard instructors, and they showed me a secret powder spot where the snow was knee deep and the conditions were magic. Unfortunately on this one, I’m sworn to secrecy, but anywhere with powder snow was magic today.

The weather forecast for the next few days is just as amazing. It looks a little like this. Thursday should see a little sun and snow showers in the morning, with the snow getting thicker into the afternoon and overnight. It’s still going to be fairy cold, with the freezing level back down in the morning and overnight. As the wind speed is still set to be fairly high, a max speed of 25 kilometers per hour, it could be as cold a minus twenty-five during the day tomorrow.

Friday looks set to be the day to be on the hill. Brilliant sunshine is forecast all day with a clear night to follow. The wind should be less strong in the morning but up a little higher again in the afternoon. Temperatures are still going to be well below freezing, with another expected low of -25. Saturday should see more of the same in the morning, cold and clear, but in the afternoon the clouds are coming back. Sunday is set to be another sunny day. Beware if you’re high up in Avoriaz in the evening though as some extreme wind is forecast - 40 kilometers per hour at the top overnight. It’s going to be a cold one! Clear again on Monday afternoon (get out on the mountain!) and snow again in the afternoon and evening. It looks like it’s going to be an amazing week ahead!

When the snows at it’s thickest, head for the trees, they offer definition to your visiblity when the light is flat and shelter from any wind. It’s also great fun skiing in the trees! The days to be on the mountain are going to be Friday this week, it should be amazing, and Monday morning next week should also be great.

Enjoy the snow and stay safe out there. Remember your avalanche safety equipment or stay in the snow cross zones, and have an awesome time skiing.

I’ll see you in the powder!