© Alpe d'Huez
Sunshine and snow in Alpe d'Huez after a rainy spell
Plenty of little top-ups of snow and the return of sunshine
The trend of small and regular snow falls has continued this week with “top-ups” falling on Sunday (into Monday), Tuesday (into Wednesday), Wednesday (into Thursday) and finally during the day on Saturday.
These little top-ups are really helping to keep the slopes here in resort in tip-top condition during the busy winter holiday period. These smaller dumps also help to keep the avalanche risk down, as opposed to the problems that can accompany a bigger fall.
Avalanche risk in the main area is currently at 2/5, but it does rise to 3/5 on the slopes above 2800m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday were quite cloudy days and poor visibility did lead to some lift closures at higher elevations, but thankfully the cloud cleared and the rest of this week looks set for clearer skies. The snow on Saturday was bit wet at lower elevations due to a rise in temperature at the end of last week. Thankfully temperatures have dropped again now, back down to around -3ºC in resort and -10ºC up on the higher slopes.
This week looks like being a mainly snow-free week here with only a couple of dustings likely. The freeze height looks set to remain at around 1000m for the next few days before plunging down to 600m on Wednesday - which is great news for the snow condition as the week goes on.
As is always the case the pistes across the “scare-chair” in Auris remain much quieter than those in Alpe d’Huez itself, and these offer a great alternative as we continue the busy school winter holiday period.
After the recent top-ups on-piste snow cover now stands at:
Alpe d’Huez resort 1850m | 200cm |
Pic Blanc 3300m | 324cm |
Auris village 1650m | 80cm |
Auris Signal 2176m | 115cm |
Villard Reculas 1500m | 90cm |
Vaujany 1250m | 100cm |
Oz-en Oisans 1350m | 110cm |
Montfrais 1650m | 150cm |
Dome des Rousses 2800m | 250cm |
Off-piste cover now stands at:
Elevation | North | South |
2500m | 320cm | 290cm |
2000m | 225cm | 170cm |
1500m | 100cm | 60cm |
1000m | 10cm | 5cm |
Snow cover currently extends all the way down to around 1000m – so every slope within the Grande Domain ski area has plenty of snow cover and thanks to continuing cold temperatures it remains nice, light and powdery – as has been the case for pretty much the whole of this fantastic season here in resort.
It’s still holiday time here with the French schools still on “winter holiday” (half-term) and we have all 69 lifts open (100% which is a season high!) and 30 of these were in Alpe d’Huez itself. The French schools “winter holiday” lasts until Saturday 10th March. These lifts are serving 102 pistes across the Grande Domain ski area, another season high. With only one run, red piste Stade Montfrais over in Vaujany, closed for a competition for the local ski club. Of these 102 pistes - 27 are green, 31 are blue, 27 are red and 17 are black. So there continues to be something for everybody with plenty of choice at all elevations, as has been the case for the past few weeks.
Four of the black runs continue to be recommended for “bon skieurs uniquement” – good skiers only, in the main because of their mogully terrain. These are Balcons, Balme and Tunnel here in Alpe d’Huez and Col de Cluy over at the top of the Auris Signal down towards the Sarenne gorge. These warnings are in place for a reason – so please bear the warnings in mind – don’t be a hero!.
Both snowparks are open and continue to be in great condition and with this being a busy period in resort the one over in Vaujany will no doubt be much quieter than the one here in Alpe d’Huez. We continue to have 100% of the cross-country ski trails open, with 39km of lovely groomed trails open and they really are in great condition and if haven’t tried XC skiing why not give it a go. In addition to these, there are 36km of walking trails open (out of 37km = 97%).
As spring continues to approach the days are really starting to stretch here now, and with sunrise this morning at 07:35 and sunset at 18:03 – we get 10 hours and 28 minutes of daylight today.
This Wednesday sees the second of 4 fabulous ESF ski shows up at the Signal slope at the top end of town, getting underway this week at 18:30. A ski show/freestyle demonstration is followed by a torchlight descent and a great firework display. The show is on every Wednesday through until 7th March and if you are in resort is not to be missed.