La Plagne Snow Report : 18th January 2013

I’ve been wearing so many layers I can barely move my arms and had to invest in a glove upgrade today because frostbite to the fingers was becoming a real worry. It’s the lifts that are the cold part, just sitting there exposed to the elements. I learned that lesson fast when I decided I couldn’t be bothered to wait in the Roche De Mio queue and opted instead for the Blanchets lift (cold and windy) followed by the Carella (colder and windier). It’s a really good way up as it brings you out at the same place as Roche De Mio but my god I couldn't feel my fingers, toes or face by the time I got to the top. Note to self; bubble lifts are your friend.

That aside, it may be cold but is absolutely stunning out there. The skies are clear, the sun is shining and the mountain looks spectacular. It’s so cold that the moisture in the air is freezing making the air literally sparkle all around you. I first spotted this phenomenon off of the Inversens chair and I was mesmerised for the entire lift: the air was glittering with frozen particles, there were shining columns and beams of light underneath the sun, and the sun itself was flanked by half circle rainbows on either side of it. Magical, absolutely magical. Honestly it’s difficult to convey how breathtaking the mountain has looked these past two days, you’ll just have to get out there and see it for yourself!

It’s going to change up a bit though. On Friday we’re still looking at clear skies and sunshine, perhaps a few clouds but the main thing is that the temperature is going to jump up a solid 10 degrees which will still have us out there in -15 but will probably feel tropical after the last few days. That’s going to be followed by some light snow on Friday night and throughout Saturday with temperatures rising to a balmy -8 by Sunday.

Warmer will be great but here’s the downside (there’s always a downside), the resort is technically busier than it was last week but not so as you’d notice. The whiteout on Tuesday and the toe freezing temps the last two days have successfully kept the fair weather skiers chalet bound and the runs have been really empty. With the temperatures warming up, I’m sure we’ll start to notice a definite increase in lift queues and crowds.

The snow is holding up tremendously. Although I think it contravenes the laws of physics and despite the -30 nights, the powder hasn’t crusted over or set into solid ice - it’s still light and fluffy and a pleasure to ride. We had a sprinkling of snow last night and I believe it snowed in Montchavin this afternoon (Thursday) freshening things up nicely, although it is getting pretty tracked out which makes for some bumpy off pisteing in places but the majority is still really soft. As for the runs they are again only icy in the bottlenecks and right by the lifts, the rest is soft and smooth with the lack of traffic going a long way towards keeping the moguls at bay.

So remember keep your eyes open and a camera ready to catch the brilliance of the mountain, and although it may be warming up it is by no means warm so layer up, protect your extremities, frequent the bubble lifts, and get out there whatever the conditions, there is no such thing as bad weather; just the wrong clothing.

Bon ski!