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Original poster

Snow conditions 2011

52 replies

LIZS · 25/03/2011 08:35

Just how bad is it at the moment ? Heading to French Southern Alps beginning of April -currently 60cm at 1850m and 140cm at top. Will it last ? Any snow due in the longer term forecast for next week ?

OP posts:
Original poster
LIZS · 25/03/2011 16:11

anyone ? Is there any point in me looking for snowboots or are flipflops nearer the mark ?!

OP posts:
clam · 27/03/2011 20:40

Are there no webcams where you're heading? Where are you heading?
I feel your pain, as I was worried for Feb half term but it was fine once there. Little snow at village level (1850) but ski-to-door as the cannons meant the pistes were in good nick.
Not much snow has fallen since, I grant you, but the ski info sites (j2ski etc..) are reporting all runs open still. I reckon you'll get good skiing higher up, but there's bare rock/scree to be seen at the edges, particularly on south-facing slopes.
Good luck.

Original poster
LIZS · 28/03/2011 07:39

I've only looked after lifts would have shut !

OP posts:
Original poster
LIZS · 28/03/2011 08:39

Just looked and rather confused as suggests fresh snowfall . Webcam pictures imply several inches and white trees ! Is that possible ? great if so !

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clam · 28/03/2011 09:08

Seems to be snowing right now!

Skifit · 28/03/2011 12:25

Possible snow fall is forecast this week in the Alps, here and there. But only an inch or a fluttering i would guess.
I reckon though, snow boots are not needed... you will only get deep snow at the top of the mountain, and then you will be skiing.. in the town of the resort i wouldnt imagine you will find any snow now..... judging by all the web cams I have looked at today.
We are off to Megeve on Thursday and not taking or needing snow boots,,, more like normal shoes for me and DS.
Snow fell in Megeve last Sat, so my older DS (22yrs) said, who left there Sat a.m. It was the first snow fall they had seen during their weeks skiing there.
I saw him Sat afternoon and he looked like he had spent a week in the tropics.. he was very brown faced.!!

MmeLindt · 28/03/2011 12:47

Agree with other posters, not much snow in the villages, even the higher ones. We have been recently to Megeve and Champery and there is little snow apart from on the prepared pistes.

Friends have been telling us that the skiign is ok, considering that they have had hardly any snow for weeks.

It rained here last night (near Lake Geneva) so it is possible that they had a bit of fresh snow on the mountains. Will have a look out of the window, but think it is too overcast to see.

clam · 28/03/2011 12:58

"Will have a look out of the window."
Dunno why but that struck me as amusing. All these people agonising over webcams and snow reports and here we have our very own MN "on-the-spot" reporter!

andiem · 28/03/2011 14:09

Have just got back from a weekend in morzine and the snow was ok at the very top until about 1ish and then it was downhill (!) all the way. Slushy and skiing through puddles on the lower slopes. My advice is to head up the mountain and stay there. We only came right down to the bottom once we wanted to stop for the day.

MmeLindt · 28/03/2011 15:06

Lol clam. Much good it will do you today as cloud very low.

MmeLindt · 28/03/2011 16:10

Ok, cloud lifted a bit and I could see the Jura. Very very little snow up there, so presume Morzine etc not much more.

It has been a terrible winter for skiing. We had intended learning this winter but it was just not decent conditions. DD had a go, and was pronounced to be "the best beginner skier the instructor had ever seen" so we will have to go up next winter.

Original poster
LIZS · 28/03/2011 16:13

Thanks, so fresh snow possible at 1850 +. Snowboots have been despatched now so guess I'll take them anyway -and fitflops !!!

OP posts:
MmeLindt · 28/03/2011 16:26

Suncream definitely needed.

It was 18°C here at the weekend, down in Geneva.

If you cannot ski, you can always come to Geneva and see the town, it is pretty this time of year. :)

mckenzie · 28/03/2011 16:40

Where are you off to LIZS? We're going to la Rosiere on saturday and I'm packing snow boots and flip flops, thermals and shorts!!

Original poster
LIZS · 28/03/2011 16:44

Risoul - not entirely sure where it is apart from in Soutern Alps !!!

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Original poster
LIZS · 30/03/2011 17:41

6 ins fresh snow forecast for Tuesday down to 2000m. Sunny on Sunday and Monday :)

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MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 30/03/2011 18:24

DS in AlpeD'Huez this week. Not good, but skiable - luckily he is used to skiing on ice and bare rock Sad

fedupwithdeployment · 30/03/2011 23:16

We might be in Risoul w/c 10 April. Well we'll do a day there maybe and also Les Orres, and I really want to try St Veran (tiny but high)...however, we will be taking bikes just in case it is really poor. However, I am staying positive.

If you haven't been to Risoul before, it is great. huge area, v pretty, great views of the Briancon Valley and also over the back to Serre Poncon lake.

Fingers crossed!

clam · 31/03/2011 17:41

Slightly off-topic, but Lac Serre Poncon was empty upstream of the causeway in February. Shows how little precipitation there's been this season.
Les Orres looks pretty slushy and bare at the main station at the moment but OK up the top.

MmeLindt · 31/03/2011 23:29

It rained here today and yesterday, so the higher slopes should have a bit of snow, but it is still very mild.

If all else fails, most of the French resorts are not for from Geneva, so you could come down and have a day in town. Go to the beach. :o

mckenzie · 04/04/2011 21:16

Greetings from La Rosiere. After a glorious sunny day yesterday we've had rain today although it brightened up early evening. Forecast is for more sunshine. So far, runs have been fine apart from very late yesterday, not fabulous but what they lose in conditions under ski they more than make up for in quietness, space and lack of queuing etc.

As it's the first time for our two dcs, we are really happy with how it's turning out.

clam · 05/04/2011 10:48

fedup and lizs (when she gets back)
I've been looking at Risoul for next year. Want a change of resort (fro Les Orres) but still want to take advantage of cheaper flights to Marseille. All feedback welcome (snow aside. Accept that April not the best time for that, specially this year).

geordieminx · 06/04/2011 09:56

Oooh 2 weeks till Val Thorens. Cannot wait Grin

LeonieDeSaintVire · 06/04/2011 13:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MmeLindt · 06/04/2011 13:59

It is 20° down here in Geneva this week, and hardly any snow on the Jura at all.

Leonie, where are you going? Think the higher resorts are better, but here around Geneva it is not looking great.

Snow cannons all the way.