Alpe d'Huez Snow Report: 20th December 2014
The sun is expected to shine this Christmas week!
It was a worrying start to the week with the snow conditions - there was no snow in the village and temperatures weren’t looking ideal. However, on Wednesday it snowed for 12 hours straight!
Snow down to the valley bottom and it settled to a depth of about 15cm in Alpe D’Huez. The skiing before the snowfall was still really good, the glacier held the snow well and provided plenty of runs, all with good conditions.
Up on the mountain during the snowfall, the light was flat but the skiing was super fun. The nice dusting on top made the pistes awesome for carving up, and helped the numerous ski schools that were out. There are some icy patches on the lower slopes, but the snowfalls eradicated that problem.
At the start of the week there were only 5 lifts open, only the ones to get you up and skiing on the glacier. As of Wednesday, 7 more lifts were opened up, vastly increasing the skiable area. Including the lifts that get you to the piste, there are around 20 currently open. There are plenty of greens and blues around the DMC for beginners to tackle, and the higher lifts provide access to the more difficult slopes. The signal lift gives access to the Hirondelles run, the only one open on that mountain - this made it my favorite run of the week, as it was always quiet! I used it to work on my technique without fear of encountering a ski school.
Unfortunately there isn’t any recommendable off-piste at the moment, the snow just hasn’t allowed it. Although straying only a metre or two off the side of the run gives you some nice fresh snow thanks to the latest dump! The forecast is for sun for the next week or so, but fear not as the snow is excellent up the top of the mountain, and the sun means one thing: La Folie Douce. The party has started already at the top of Marmottes I, with plenty of music and tabletop dancing to be had.
The snowpark at Alpe D’Huez isn’t built at the moment, and I can’t see it appearing for a while. Your week-long pass does get you a days skiing in Les Deux Alpes where they build the park up on the glacier so if any of you fancy learning freestyle or honing in your skills, take a day trip over there. It’s an hour’s drive via bus or car, or if you’re feeling flash you could always take the helicopter! Departing from the altiport in the morning and bringing you home in the evening, it is an exciting and exhilarating way to hit the slopes. Flights are 6 minutes long each way and you’ll get an amazing view, all for 70€ return.
The last couple of days have provided some excellent skiing. The sun has been shining and there are plenty of pistes to get stuck into. Les Rousses, running down from the top on the Tronçon 2nd stage was in excellent condition with views right down the valley. As its quite out the way from the other open pistes, you can ski at a leisurely pace, or really go for it if you want - you won’t encounter many other skiers!
When you’re done hitting the slopes, there are plenty of aprés options to consider: Tiger Café at Les Bergers has named itself the unofficial Folie Douce après party, while Sphere Bar have hourly drink specials starting from 3pm. If you want something a little cosier then Freeride café offer mulled wine and hot chocolate, or enjoy one of the many flavoured rums on offer at the rum bar of L’Etalon! A couple of doors down from Freeride in the Galerie is La Fondue en Folie. I have to tell you it is the most amazing fondue you will likely ever have, a great meal to enjoy with friends and family.
So, the snow is here, there is skiing to be had, and the party is just getting started!
Alpe d'Huez snow reports are sponsored by 3SixtyCams
