La Plagne Snow Report : 31st January 2013

We had that fresh snow on Monday and then a day of mogul fun, followed by Tuesday, which as predicted was beautiful. All the fresh snow had been groomed and the runs were soft and a pleasure to ride, but my word was it warm! I didn’t believe the weather report – or take my own advice and went out there with my thermals on plus another layer and a fleecy buff, which is one layer less than usual but my god it was hot, I had my vents open instantly and my buff got relegated to a pocket, my gloves and helmet came off on every lift in an attempt to cool down.

The weather stayed warm on Wednesday and the snow we were forecast for Thursday keeps pushing back tantalisingly out of reach. It’s currently indicating a massive dump on Friday but since there’s not a cloud out there at the moment it’s not looking too promising. We also really need the temperatures to drop again before the snow comes otherwise it’s going to go badly.

On Wednesday night we were due snow showers but it was too warm and though I’m very reluctant to use the R-word lets just say that some very warm, very wet snow fell instead (that’s rain if you’re still not sure) and later froze on the ground.

Unfortunately the unseasonable warmth is also having adverse effects on the snow on the pistes which is slowly melting and becoming slushy during the day. That slush then freezes over when the temperature drops at night making for very icy mornings. Which actually means that for once it’s not all about first lifts, it’s pretty unpleasant out there first thing; rock hard and icy. I would suggest a well deserved lie in then getting out there at 10/11 o’clock when it has started to soften up a bit, too late though and it’s going to turn slushy so get your timings right - also pick your ski area wisely as low down will be pretty sketchy ditto anything south facing. I took myself up the Verdon Nord and over to the Champagny side thinking it would be really nice in the sun, but it was just that much slushier earlier in the day than the shady side of the mountain. Any powder that was left from Sunday's snow has set solid now aswell so I would strongly recommend staying on piste.

But it’s not all complaints, the mountain is still beautiful, there’s no risk of frozen fingers and any café or restaurant with a terrace is doing a roaring trade as people take a break from the ice to chill in deck chairs and work on their goggle tans. The conditions are also going a fair way to keeping the mountain quiet as people take the opportunity for lie-ins and long lunches - in fact the terraces are packed as if it’s spring skiing time already. The melting snow isn’t affecting the coverage on the piste either, its nowhere near bad enough for rocks to be coming through or the snow to be turning muddy. There’s a bit of exposed rocks off piste on the Champagny side but the runs are still very well maintained.

If we get the snow that is forecast for Friday we shall be back in business, however I am pretty sure (although I’m certainly not a professional) that if we get the predicted 17cm on top of a wet and icy mountain that we are going to be in avalanche central. Please make sure you’re checking the avalanche warnings before you head out, you can check them here and they are also marked at most lift stations and I know I always say it but do not go off piste unprepared! That means avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, knowledge and experience.....

So here’s hoping for a temperature drop and the predicted snow to fall and none of that dreaded R-word please!