Mixed weather provides sunshine and powder : 2nd January 2012
More snow is falling and a big storm is on the way

Snow continues to fall and, for the first time in years, I feel like we have a proper winter season (one with regular snowfalls and cold temperatures).

Around 10cm has fallen today and the traffic in town has slowed right up as thousands of people begin to wind down their New Year's visit and head home. Things should get noticeably quieter over the next few days and reports from the mountain today were mixed, although everybody seemed to agree that it was a lot quieter than recent days.

Up the mountain there is plenty of fresh powder on the piste and lots of bumps. Visibility is quite bad, especially higher up where there are no trees and the wind is blowing snow harder. Temperatures are just below freezing but higher up the wind is making it a lot colder.

The whole area is open with a few exceptions. The main ones are the Mont Gele area and the Free-ride runs of Vallon d’Arbi and Col des Mines. This also suggests that Col de Crebelet and some parts of the Attelas across to Savoleyres face could be dangerous but interestingly, as I write this, the Planard cat track back to Carrefour is open. This track is often closed as it is exposed to the slopes mentioned above.

The risk of avalanche has dropped to 3 out of 5 but all slopes are affected as recent changeable weather has brought in high winds, large snowfalls, large temperatures, a fluctuating freezing level and rain up to Attelas. Slopes below 2000 metres have the most risk as they have been most affected by recent rain and mild temperatures.

Although higher up the mountain strong winds have created slab in many areas so watch out for this. Slab normally looks chalky white as opposed to brilliant white but is only really visible with bright sunshine. Slopes with slab sections are normally indicated by the formation of wind lips and patches of it appear more rounded and pillowed. As is the case in avalanche safety the above indicators are mere clues and it takes a lot of experience to understand all these clues and formulate a reasonably safe picture of what is safe and what is not. Listen to the avalanche safety information and think about hiring a guide for peace of mind.

With less crowds now that the holiday period is over and great snow on and off piste it looks as if January is going to be epic, especially if it keeps snowing.

The weather for the next few days is set to be sunny but mixed and then after that another big storm is on its way, promising another 30cm.

• Latest Conditions
  snowy, wet and cold
• Depth of snow on lower slopes
  35cm
• Altitude of last snowfall
  +1750m
• Date of last snowfall
  02.01.2012
• Depth of last snowfall
  20cm
• Total number of pistes
  37
• Highest temperature
  +1
• Altitude of lower slopes
  1500m
• Depth of snow on upper slopes
  300cm
• Avalanche risk
  3
• Altitude of upper slopes
  3330m
• Number of pistes open
  34
• Altitude of highest temperature
  2200m

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