Alpe d'Huez Snow Report: 1st February 2015

Base levels are at around 115cm, and over 160cm at the higher levels of the resort. Snow showers are forecast on and off for the next 6 days so the conditions can only get better!

After the initial dump there was some lovely fluffy powder to be had, as long as you don’t stray far from the pistes and stick to lower slopes and tree runs. This is because the dump was preceded by sunny and icy conditions, making avalanches a high risk for those of you looking for some backcountry action.

The first night of Wednesday/Thursday took the resort by surprise, 75cm in one evening! This has given the piste bashes a lot of work to do, and as a result, some of the less popular black pistes have still to be groomed. The glacier hasn’t been open for skiing yet, but the break in snowfall should get these opened up, at the latest by midweek. As with the higher slopes the snowpark, has had a bit of a set back due to the snow. There are a couple of kickers but all the rails are shut today, just waiting on the piste bashers to smooth it all out again. But not to worry, it will be up and running in the next day or two!

Favourite area to ski has been over the top of Signal, down to Villard Reculas. The slopes are gentle and easy to ski, ideal for working on those carving techniques. On top of this, the areas to the left and right of the piste and between Les Vallons and Chemin du Pátre have given some excellent powder runs. It tends to be a forgotten side of the resort, and more often than not you’ll be faced with quiet slopes.

The light hasn’t been too great this week, but by sticking to the lower slopes and the very forgiving snow, this isn’t much of a problem. If you fancy some tree runs, head over to Montfrais, where you will find thigh high powder and much better light.

It is set to get very cold this week temperatures will be below -100C, and with windchill expect it to feel twice that. Make sure you are wrapping up warm!

Get yourselves to Alpe D’Huez, it may not be living up to its ‘island in the sun’ nickname, but who cares?! There is heaps of snow, the skiing is amazing, and the resort looks like a true alpine village.

See you on the slopes!

-

Alpe d'Huez snow reports are brought to you by 3SixtyCams