Messages posted by : Geoff Smith
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Bankso Babe ( see 'Why oh why') is quite right to say that skiing in December is always something of a risk. If you look at the average snow depths ( upper and lower slopes) for all major resorts for previous years ( see Ski Club of Great Britain website via google), you can see clearly that it is much less risky to choose January/ February/ March.
The current snow depth at the top at Alpe d'Huez is up to average for December but on the lower slopes it is currently below average. There is , however, enough to enjoy skiing. Also the many snow cannons on the lower slopes are working hard now that the temperatures have dropped. Who knows what the 'great snowmaker in the sky' has in mind for Christmas onwards. If there is a dump in the next couple of weeks the skiing will be good. If not, and if the temperature rises, it will probably be a bit scratchy on those lower slopes that do not have cannons. Can't be more helpful than that. But if you have just one or two weeks' skiing per year then I would be inclined to take Bansko's advice. Good luck for the conditions whenever you decide to go! Geoff Smith |
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See my reply to your question in your post tagged Alpe d'Huez.
Geoff Smith |
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Since my original enquiry about helmets the subsequent comments have been very instructive. Although the sample of replies is by no means an objective one it is interesting to see the high level of support for helmets from experienced and regular skiers on this list.
I decided to wear a helmet for the first time last season, in my 26th year of skiing, after seeing a skier collide with another and subsequently crash into rocks at the side of the piste. He received serious head injuries. I have the feeling that helmets for adults will become far more common during the next few years. Geoff Smith |
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It is snowing in Serre Chevalier. There are snow canons right down to the villages. Can't tell you how many because I have never counted ( not being an anorak!) But relax, the skiing will be good. The snow is arriving all over the French resorts! Every year there is a big 'strop' about the late arrival of snow but the fact is that in most years it all works out well. I have been to Alpe d'Huez, not many miles from Ser. Chav. in mid Dec. for the last 5 years and the conditions have been splendid. This is despite great anxiety expressed by journalists and bloggers beforehand. Of course every so often there is no snow - even in 1992 as late as Feb. But that is the exception that proves the rule!
Best Geoff Smith |
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Look up the accommodation available at Oz en Oisans, a satellite of Alpe d'Huez, in the Massif des Grandes Rousses on google. Just 30 kilometres from Grenoble. 280 kilometres of pistes. Beginners and experts well catered for! A good start to the season 7/12/06 with 1 metre of snow at the top and 20 cms at the bottom and more predicted for the weekend. You can't go wrong.
Best Geoff smith |
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Alpe d'Huez has 1 metre on the top and 20 cms at the bottom with more snow expected in the next 3 days. Pretty good, at this time of the year, and flies in the face of all of the newspaper gloom and doom. Plenty of accommodation is available via google.
Best, Geoff Smith |
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Forny, in my opinion you are definitely worrying over nothing. Last year in the French Alps there was next to no snow, except up at the highest levels, until the first week of December. Before then the mountains were green/brown. There were three days of heavy snowfall in the first week of December. I had a great week's skiing at Alpe d'Huez in mid December a a result.
If my memory serves me I think that you would have to go back to 1992 for poor snow in January in the higher resorts. Having said this , of course, you can never be sure! But on the basis of probability statistics I am sufficiently confident of good snow in January to have made plans to be in the Massif Des Grandes Rousses for good skiing for the month of January. only some 80 or so kilometres from Sauze d'Oulx. Have a great time in the Milky Way next Jan. Geoff Smith |
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In the last couple of seasons I have noticed a marked increase in the number of adult skiers and boarders, of all ages, wearing helmets. Are they 'early adopters'? Are we approaching a tipping point? Do subscribers think that in another two or three years we will see a majority of recreational skiers wearing helmets? Geoff smith |
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