Chamonix Update

So just back from a little over 2 weeks in Chamonix; in summary variable! Certainly a good start to the season and the base is amazing but as with everywhere else in the Alps the high winds have perhaps prevented epic conditions, forcing you a little lower than you would like especially with the rising temps. Town was as ever excellent with 4 non skiers (1 x four year old) all having a great time.
2 days of skiing before Christmas with really amazing piste conditions in Flegere and Les Houches to warm the legs up. Les Houches has to have perhaps the best scenery of any report in the Alps.
1 day of great powder skiing on 28th following the big dump the night before. Headed down to St Gervais, Mt Jolie lift, bit of boot packing to the summit and then a great ridge line down. One of the coldest days have had out in a while, definitely not pleasant on the hands and feet on the way up.
1 day of varied skiing with a shortish skin up the Croise Baulet above Sallanches. Ski crampons required at the top where the high winds had really stripped the snow. A few powdery turns in the middle and then some terror skiing at bottom. Deep heavy slush with rain channels, pretty much impossible to turn in places but a fun day out anyway.
1 day of ice climbing in Cogne. Great to do some axe work again although was clearly showing with more than a few tight rope moments on the last pitch.