Snow forecast for the New Year : 29th December 2011

The sunshine from the last couple of days continued today providing the New Year holiday crowds with great skiing conditions. According to the lift company 18,768 people were on the pistes at one time or another on the 27th December. The turnstiles recorded 130,000 entries. This was an all time record and it is true to say that whether the world is in financial turmoil or not; it means little when the snow starts to fall.

That sunshine is sadly meant to give way to unsettled weather soon with some big snowfalls due in over the weekend. Another metre of new snow is forecast which is amazing news.

Up the mountain the conditions are superb. Lower pistes are a little icy and there are plenty of bumps to contend with but this is more of an issue by the afternoon. If you can brave the queues of the morning then the pistes are in much better condition.

Off piste there is still plenty of powder around for those keen enough to hike or skin to it but generally the areas within site of the lifts are all tracked out now and so new snowfall is very welcome. The risk of avalanche remains high at 3 out of 5 so be careful off piste. A guide, although expensive is a very good investment at the moment as they will be able to sniff out untapped powder.

All the marked free-ride runs are open but are now very bumpy. Yesterday I spent the day mainly riding around the Mont Gele, Chassoure to Tortin and Gentianes to Tortin runs and although the bumps are very big and challenging now there are some nice patches too.

Temperature have been chilly around the top areas but lower down the intense sun and light winds have made it very mild and this large temperature gradient in the snowpack does make lower altitude, sun facing and off piste slopes more at risk of avalanche by the mid afternoon. Evidence of this can be seen on the entire face from Attelas all the way along to Croix de Coeur, by Savoleyres. Also strong winds last week that came in with the big snowfalls have created some slab. A few days ago a group was caught in an avalanche on one of the shaded faces of Mont Gele. If you do not know an avalanche transceiver from a transistor radio then you should not venture off piste without a guide.

For the next few days it looks as if the weather will be more unsettled but some sunshine should be around and then by Friday the snow will be here. The freezing level is expected to drop at least to the valley so some of that snow will fall in resort. Don’t forget that snow tyres and 4 wheel drive are recommended but at the very least local regulations require all cars to carry snow chains and drivers should practice fitting them before the inevitable day when they may need them.

New Year's Eve is approaching fast and for those that like a wild party then look no further than the centre of town. The unofficial party, which is a gathering of thousands of champagne and beer swilling party goers, promises to be another unforgettable night under the stars, listening to pumping music and watching the massive fireworks displays. Have a great New Year and I will be back at the beginning of January to let you know how the new snow is fitting in with all those forecast hangovers. 

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