Life at the foot of Mont Blanc
This year the snow has come very early. The leaves in the trees have barely changed into their Autumn colours and the first snow has already hit the village, it only briefly.
Plenty up on the Chain de Fiz and on Mt Joly, and Le Bettex has a good layer as well.
I’m hoping it bodes well for this winter season, although I hope there are still a few more weeks of good weather as I have lots of outdoors work still to do before winter sets in!
The first snow fell in the village yesterday (Fri 9th). There is snow right down to the Arve valley, so it’s looking very wintery at the moment. It’s also pretty cold!hopefully this is an indication of a good winter to come?!
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!
After rain over night we wake up this morning to mist floating round the valley, and through the mist we can see that snow has fallen on the Fiz and Aravis.
I put “first” in quotes as this is the first snow of the season, although there was snow on both the Fiz and Aravis in August believe it or not! Of course I’m expecting this snow to last through the winter now !
The locals are saying that this winter the snow will come in January (to the village). So I’m waiting to see if they are correct !
