2 Alpes Snow Report: 9th March 2012

First thing in the morning saw low cloud in the valley, not necessarily a bad sign because it usually thins out half way up the telecabin from Venosc. As indeed it did, revealing not blue skies and sunshine, but a further cloud layer higher up.

Webcam pictures initially suggested that the glacier might be clear, but clouds rolled over half way through the morning, and the combination of that plus high winds at altitude made for rather grotty conditions.

Today, on the other hand, was bright and sunny, and the breeze in resort died down further up the hill, which made a nice change. There was still some residual cloud rolling about though, and waiting for tardy skiers at the bottom of the Telesiege des Glaciers started getting distinctly chilly.

Further up, we got out of the way of the cloud, and once in the sun things warmed up nicely. Spring still seems to be on its way, but the minute you get out of the sun the temperature plummets, so you need either to keep a wary eye on the weather or carry an extra fleece about just in case. Or possibly both.

The run down Cretes to the Telepherique was firm verging on icy in places, and although the pistes further up were still in good condition thanks to Monday’s fresh snowfall, there were patches of what we really can’t pass off as mere hardpack. Warm weather and wall to wall sunshine have taken their toll, and there’s nothing on the horizon at the moment but more of the same.

The place was a tad overpopulated as usual on a Friday afternoon, but nothing like as busy as it has been for the past two weeks. Tomorrow sees the departure of the last of our peak season holidaymakers and the welcome return of low season work rotas, which means fewer crowds and more hill time. Bargain.

End of week fatigue owing to too much skiing (visiting friends) and general stress and too much work (me) meant we weren’t up for caning it round the mountain, so after a bit of pootling around at glacier level and a run down La Fee we retired to the Lutins in the centre of town for a vin chaud or two, which might have turned into a vin chaud or several had it not been the case that I had to rescue my backpack before it got locked in the tourist office, and they had to take skis back to the hire shop. Probably just as well, given that tomorrow is the busiest day of the week and an early night is the way forward.

Weather for next week is currently predicted to be more sunshine and rising temperatures, so probably a good week for slush-surfing, beers on sunny terraces and time spent in various deckchairs. Don’t forget the factor 50.