J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

As forecast, full on blizzard now at 1000m. Not much skiing being done today in Chamonix Valley. Could be fun tomorrow though, although am sure you won't be heading very high. St Gervais, Les Contamines will no doubt be epic.

Dropped to 1200-1300m and looks like a pretty decent amount. Big wind though even in town. Will be interesting if tomorrow is a real powder day or not.

Massive wind in that forecast, hopefully N Alps will be sheltered this time so there is a net +ve of this bad weather.

Brutal rain this morning and looks like at least for now is warmer than forecast, snow line is above 1600m for now at least. Had a few reasonable plans for the next week but looks like is going to have to be a very conservative week ahead.

I was just reading your review from your Chamonix trip last year, is a shame you never got to ski Grand Montets. Although I rarely ski there myself it undoubtedly has more offpiste opportunities than likely any resort in the world. Plus sounds like you both would enjoy skiing a V Blanche and a day in Courmayeur where Youla and Arp both offer fantastic offpiste. Definitely not ski in and out but Chamonix is one of those places best visited more than once.

If you are planning on going in Feb, come again, choose a hotel nr a bus stop and will buy you a beer or a glass of wine. Plus we have all of the snow this year.

Tipping is not customary, if you are stopping for lunch or having a drink afterwards then you may wish to cover their bill.

For skiing September through January probably no better resort in the world. People say lacks some challenging runs but has some amazing fall line piste skiing that allows you to really open up the taps.

Consensus that worst snow anyone on mountain had ever skied. Freezing level must have gone well above 3000m as there are streaks on snow where water/rain has been running down over surface. Basically a mega crust, had to traverse and kick turn way of one slope was so bad. Looking forward to this lot being buried on Wednesday.

If you need convincing of the risk of wind slab, take a look a Rifugio Torino Nuovo 3375 - Monte Bianco facebook page. Looks like they had fun trying to exit this morning.