J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

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.

Main problem with old skis is that they typically have no shape and hence force you to ski in a certain way. If your of a reasonable standard then a shaped ski onpiste with little rocker for early initiation is a revelation. 100% more dynamic than the old straight beasts we all used to ski on.

Just a shame that the freezing level went so high. Does not seem to of done much damage to the pistes and should of been great for base building above 2000m but has trashed the off piste.

What we need now is a a good top up with low wind up high. Then will really be setup to be a great season.

Interestingly then j2ski forecast for chamonix seems conservative. Latest report is 20-30cm overnight. Has been pumping snow all day so if keeps up overnight could be a big one tomorrow.

Personally I use Hestra Heli, the long cuffs and drawstring allowing them to easily be pulled over ski jacket and tightened. They are a bit expensive but should last 10+yrs.

I would add that the real key to warm hands is:
Thermals with thumb hole (makes a massive difference)
Sufficient layers

Pumping snow and am getting pretty damn excited!!! T-12 days and looks promising! Really you should all thank me as clearly this snow is linked to my investment in a new set of piste skis.

Sounds like a fun idea, am sure you will be heading down the valley to St Gervais or perhaps Italy if you do get a guide:
Glaciers still need filling
Non glaciated is likely still rocky (in Chamonix)
Avalanche conditions will be high F3 30cm

Chamonix - spoke to a few people who have been out and they concurred that one more good dump is needed if you are not on a glacier. Plus very little incentive to fire up lifts until enough people get into resort to make your money back. Still a promising start, looks like good piste skiing over Christmas .