Saturday, 16th December was the official opening day for the St Gervais winter season. We nipped up to Le Betex to get in a few turns as it is the first day of the season! Snow is thin, but its there, and there was a limited number of runs open, but given the late arrival of the snow, the pisteurs have done a great job !
Today, the resort was again closed - a snow preservation messure I believe, in preperation for the main start of the season which is the Christmas week. We are assured that the lifts will open again on Saturday 23 December.
We are all looking forward expectantly to more snow!
Frinday, and the first snow fell in the village overnight. This is a big relief as there had been none so far - not even any staying on the ski area. But with Friday and Saturdays fall, the continuing cold temperatures and some use of the snow canons it looks like the resort will be opening on time on the 16 December.
With the Christmas lights up and switched on and all the snow covering the trees and chalets, and the sun out the village is looking great at the moment. Looks like it will be another great start to the season. I’m looking forward to getting the skis on an heading for the slopes!
Across the White Dunes
Ski touring above Les Contamines.
Clear skys, Fresh snow, and no crowds.
The Skiing World cup circuit rolls into the Chamonix Valley this week, with superb snow conditions and perfect blue skis. It couldn’t be better!
Frinday 3 Febuary was the combined Downhill / Slalom, and bellow are some photo’s hot off the press.
Down Hill
Slalom
The snow has continued to fall for the last couple of weeks right the way down to the village, and even the Arve valley. Combined with the cold weather which has meant that the snow makers have been working overtime the resort has enough snow to open early!
The St Gervais Ski area will therefore be open this Saturday and Sunday (10 / 11 Dec).
This is a great start to the ski season and we’re hoping that the good snow conditions will last throughout the year….. We’ll see.
I won’t be able to make the most of the early opening as I’m off to Zermatt for a week teaching Telemark where there has also been good dumps of snow. Looks like a fun start to the season!