Morzine Snow Report: 8th March 2012

Rather than piste skiing we opted for a little 'ski de randonnée' (ski touring) up to the Col du Cou from the Vallee de la Manche. As we got our kit ready the sun’s valiant attempt to come out was defeated by the clouds and the last remnants of the snowfall. Heading up the road to Lac Mines d’Or the trees lining the route helped with the visibility but it doesn’t matter so much going up, or so I thought.

Past the Lac and heading up the valley the trees petered out way and the visibility took a turn for the worst. It was very difficult to pick a path up the bowls to smooth out the terrain. We just headed uphill until it became a little too steep and then started to zig zag to flatten the gradient. The large cliffs to our right provided a much needed navigation aid and we had the odd lone ranger tree in the distance to aim at. The snow was getting deeper under foot now and we anticipated a good ski down, if only the cloud would lift a little.

On finally reaching the Col we were greeted by a blasting wind throwing snow in our faces and an instant deep freeze effect as the sweat started to freeze. Disappointingly the hut at the col was virtually buried and the small stone table of orientation provided little shelter from the wind and the snow. We descended a little out of the wind before getting the kit ready for skiing down.

The first 100m was pretty much the same as coming up, very little to be seen. At this point we had to stop a moment for one of the group to scrape some frozen snow from his skis. By the time that was done the light improved drastically with the sun almost being visible.

Happy days, we got some great turns in on the way down, much easier once you can see what you’re doing. We even spotted some chamois on the cliffs I mentioned earlier. A chamois is basically a mountain goat. It’s the first time I’ve seen them in action in the wild. They seemed pretty good at scampering about up on the rock fall at the base of the cliffs. Not sure what they eat at this time of year but they are obviously hardy things.

To finish our little adventure for the day we popped into the Crappa hut for the obligatory drink. Vin chaud this time, too wild and wintery for a beer.

Bon Ski