Well that was VERY unexpected. I really did not think I’d be changing my mind so quickly about how much snow was too much.
But when you go full speed into powder and stop within a few feet because it’s piled up to your thighs, and when you bounce through a drift and snow falls down your collar, that’s … well that’s absurd.
I’ve been skiing for 26 years and I’ve never known anything like it.
I’d write more, but I have to go bounce around.
Stupid question, really, but it was a question that dawned on me today as I was pointing my skis directly down quite a steep hill and not going ANYWHERE on account of the soft powder piled up above my knees.
About 2 feet of the lightest, softest, most glorious powder has fallen in the last 24 hours, which means that where it’s drifting and settling it’s 4 or 5 feet deep. It probably gets deeper, but no amount of speed is going to get you through such a wall of snow.
Unfortunately this unprecented quantity, coupled with high winds, is a bit of a nightmare for the resort operators, since none of the higher lifts were running today, and the avalanche risk is off the scale. But don’t worry – it’s slackening off tonight and trickling to a stop on Saturday afternoon.
Brace yourselves for a very happy Easter.
YES YES YES! MORE SNOW!!
Yesterday afternoon was mostly whiteout, but the morning was superb. All day, however, the snow was impeccable above 2100m – I spend another day bouncing through deep deep powder and trees, and I’m going right back out there now to go do more of the same!
About 30cm fresh at 2500m, with more forecast!
It didn’t really stop snowing for about 24 hours, and the powder yesterday was amazing. Possibly compounded by the fact we’ve not had any for ages, but really.. that’s what it’s all about. THIS is why I live in a ski resort, so that when we get moments like this I’m ready to get the fat skis out of the quiver and get going.
Much of the higher stuff was, predictably enough, closed yesterday since they didn’t have time to bash it all properly, and there was avalanche risk higher up, so I stuck in down lower in the trees and found one of my favourite runs.
I ended up just doing it again and again and again.
Totally amazing. Just flying down on my Movement Goliath’s (a remarkable ski which just eat up anything – it’s like being on a huge motocross bike – you’re unstoppable!)
The powder was so deep that the fact that my flies don’t do up full actually became a bit of an issue. (From the snow coming in, you understand, not all the excitement.) Brilliant.
If you have the means and the time, I strongly suggest getting on a train and getting out to the alps ASAP. Quit you job if you have to – life is very very short and doesn’t have enough moments like this.
Here it comes!
Well they keep on PROMISING snow, but it always seems to be just three or four days away. It’s here at last though… just not in great quantities yet. Hopefully the storms that are livening up the UK at the moment will come through here in a feisty rampage and shake themselves out over La Plagne’s rather summery looking mountains.
There was some snow last night – about 1cm at 2000m, but it’s all melted here in about 2 hours this morning. Higher up, though, there’s some more soft – in fact I had a great gnarly day yesterday doing some long itinerary runs off the glacier.
Go up to the very top, take the chairlift that goes pretty much horizontally to the left (Traversee), and then head to the right down that slope towards the black run (Friolin), but at the top of the black run keep right (not, mind you, too far right since there’s a cornice and you’ll end up doing the north face down to Piesey, which is also fun, but best when the Paradiski link is working). So keep right and high and head in the direction of Montchavin, and your destination of the Bauches chairlift*. You do not need to keep so high that it doesn’t work for borders – they can maintain enough speed to make it.
There’s a pretty obvious saddle more or less dead ahead of you (I really should have taken my camera..duh). Head for this, and when you get to the top you’ll see an expanse of less tracked snow, which then goes into some trees, and down to the river and the Bauches lift. Here on in you’re on your own – rip it up!
*This isn’t actually Montchavin, but you can keep going directly down the blue run from here to Montchavin.. it’s just flat and boring and often a bit slushy since it’s quite low, so you might as well bail here unless you live there.
Well it’s a leap year, so linguistically speaking today really SHOULD be the day I manage a 360 at last. I’ve been trying to summon the courage for years but still only manage 180 degrees before landing backwards. Maybe if all else fails I’ll just try going down backwards and landing forwards – that will probably look quite impressive (which is, after all, the main point of trying…)
It looks like the weather is breaking, too, at last. It’s been sunshine since a big snowfall at the beginning of February, and although the slopes are really in very good condition in most places, it really is about time for some more snow to keep things fun.
I went out and taught a friend who’s in town how to telemark this morning – it really is very easy to get to grips with if you already know how to ski and have a sense of bravado. He got it in no time at all and looked very good after just a few hours. However the weather was closing in bringing rain, and the clouds coming right down to the village, so we packed it in and went back to the flat to develop a Facebook application..! Such is the life of an eNomad!
It’s WARM here at the moment, so I really really hope it cools down before precipitating — it would be so very disappointing for it all to be lost as rain.
Fingers crossed in the Alps.
The weather in La Plagne is entering its second week of unfettered and truly glorious bright sunshine (see below).
Whilst this makes for some brilliant tshirt skiing weather in the early month of February, it also means that some of the snow is going on the south facing slopes, and that the snow is getting a little heavy & sugary lower down, and later on the in the afternoons.
The answer to this is obviously to ski the east and south facing slopes in the morning and the north and west facing slopes in the afternoon, moving up the mountain as the day progresses.
Personally I’m taking off for the week since I’ve rented my flat for half term, so am touring in the Beaufortain range opposite La Plagne, and will give a full write up when I return at the weekend.
Take it easy.
It’s snowing heavily and has been for the last 12 hours… it’s set to continue over night, too, so get an early night kids because it’s an early start tomorrow!
If you’re looking for good pistes…well.. just get outside!
