Current Conditions


Skiing is as good as it gets.

After over a meter of fresh snow fell last week, we have been skiing anywhere and everywhere. It has been so dry for over a year, it is a pleasure to see the streams running, and ice oozing out of the ground.

We have been skiing all the classic runs. The backside of Mt.Fort to Cleuson, the front side to Le Chable, Sembrencher, Orsieres, Champs Ferret, etc. I haven't even skied Tortin and Gentianes in days!!! The avalanche danger is hidden deep in the snow pack. As a result, off-piste routes have been slow to get tracked. There are still so many of the classic runs that have yet to be skied. (I have not stopped to take many photos, but here are 5.)

It snowed another 15cm last night, and after a brief lull, next week should see a series of lows bring more snow to these Alps. The avalanche danger will remain at level 3, I expect. At present, the new layers have bonded very well at average elevations. There is a rain crust from 1100 meters on down, and the steeper, southerly slopes, also have a sun crust. The Northern aspects still have quality powder, but those steep pockets of snow, which have not yet been purged of the ugly facets, are deep slab avalanches, waiting to be triggered. Stay safe and smile!

Posted: Sun - January 25, 2004 at 06:01 AM        

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