Morzine Snow Report: 29th January 2015

The big storm that everyone has been talking about has arrived, banishing all our worries that the yo-yoing temperature and lack of snow at the start of the season was foretelling of how the rest of the season was going to continue. The excitement has being building all week in anticipation of this mega dump, and since this morning the big snowflakes has been coming down thick and fast as promised.

It’s not that the excitement will be short-lived, because everyone from holidaymakers to season workers get some incredible skiing and snowboarding time on the mountain, but along with all this snow unfortunately comes much disruption and danger which shouldn’t be addressed lightly. As expected The Morzine Avoriaz Tourist Office has issued a severe weather warning straight from the Haute Savoie prefecture, that contains advice about risks of the heavy snowfall on and off the mountain.

The snow line is expected to make it down to 500m over Thursday and Friday, where the snowfall expected to be the most intense, making road conditions for transfer drivers and guests who a driving themselves to and from the Alps particularly treacherous. There is of course no need for panic or alarm, but it is essential to be prepared for your journey to take much longer than planned.

If you are departing; leave early to make sure you make your flight, and be prepared with food, water and blankets should the worst scenario of being stuck out on the road occur. Road users who arriving for this weekend/next week should be wary of the traffic issues caused by vehicles that aren’t prepared, and understand the importance of putting on your snow chains BEFORE you start climbing the mountain, because the Police Municipale will be distributed across resorts to stop you in your tracks if you don’t.

Let’s look on the bright side though; this snowfall will make for some spectacular skiing and snowboarding! Low-light lenses for your goggles could be a worthwhile investment if you’re arriving in resort this weekend, because the whiteout conditions that are likely to be spread across the Portes Du Soleil will mean exceptionally poor visibility. Stick on the pistes between the trees in Morzine and Les Gets or Les Lindarets in Avoriaz for the best visibility, and heed the high avalanche warnings that are likely to be issued.

Who said that this season was terrible for snow? Frankly we’ve already forgotten there was a lack of snow in the first place!