Snowing again : 24th January 2012

It is snowing yet again in Méribel. How I love starting my reports with these happy words, especially after last winter’s snow drought. It really is years since there was so much snow in the resort.  For example, I’ve never seen my neighbour clearing snow from his overladen roof before (see photo).

I wonder why the snow gods have been so extravagantly generous this season. I suspect somebody may be sacrificing chalet girls to appease them.

Whatever the reason, the snow keeps on falling and conditions are pretty wonderful here in Méribel. Today I have been skiing off-piste with an instructor in the Mont Vallon area. Last year, this mountain was lumpy, bumpy and brown with visible rocks. This year, the Vallon is smooth and white, with a thick layer of snow hiding all but the biggest boulders. Today I managed to ski it from top to bottom without hitting a single rock, something that was almost impossible last year.

One thing to be aware of when off-piste in this area: skiing is forbidden in the Tueda Nature Reserve. If you look on the Méribel piste map you will see this area delineated with green fir tree symbols and on the ground there are warning signs. Two places where you can inadvertently venture into the reserve are off to the side (skiers’ right) of the Combe Vallon red run, and off the side of the Ours blue run. If you are caught skiing in the Tueda Reserve you can expect a large fine.

What about snow conditions? Well, the snow off-piste is light and deep. On-piste it is great apart from the very lowest slopes where there are some hard patches, the result of rain in the resort a couple of nights ago. Overall, conditions are excellent and should stay this way as a little more snow is forecast over the next day or so.

I’ll finish with some more good news: Méribel’s lift strike is over. Many of lift company Méribel Alpina’s workforce went on strike on Monday and Tuesday. This caused disruption to many of the lifts in the Méribel half of the valley (Mottaret’s lifts were unaffected as they are operated by a different company). It was really quite considerate of the Alpina workers to walk out during low season – in previous years, other lift companies have waited until high season before striking for higher pay. We are glad to learn agreement has been reached with management and all the lifts are running as normal again.

• Latest Conditions
  WEATHER FORECASTTHURSDAY 26th of JANUARY: Nice sunny day in spite of some high clouds in the afternoon. Light to moderate wind. Maximal Temperatures: At 1000 meters: +9
• Depth of snow on lower slopes
  145cm
• Altitude of last snowfall
  2700m
• Date of last snowfall
  21st January 2012
• Depth of last snowfall
  60cm
• Total number of pistes
  85
• Highest temperature
  4C
• Altitude of lower slopes
  1450m
• Depth of snow on upper slopes
  235cm
• Avalanche risk
  3
• Altitude of upper slopes
  2700m
• Number of pistes open
  83
• Altitude of highest temperature
  1400m