Opening Day, Avoriaz
An Early Start to the Season
With Avoriaz opening a week earlier than expected this winter, what were conditions like up there?
Following heavy snowfall at the end of November, the decision was made to open several lifts in Avoriaz a week earlier than had been originally planned.
The Prodains bubble and the Ardent bubble provided access from Morzine and Montriond, and the Lindarets and Arare sectors were open, albeit with only one lift running in each area.
The main surprise was that the run from Prolays to Ardent was open. This run finishes at quite a low altitude, so it is a good indicator that the snow that has fallen has managed to hold, and that the temperatures have been cold enough for supplemental snowmaking.
The pistes were, for the most part, in excellent condition. Some pistes in Prolays were not as yet open, but what was open was well groomed with generally good snow coverage. There were a few areas where the occasional rock protruded slightly, so it was important to pay attention.
It would not be advisable to head off piste just yet. Although there were some tracks in the snow that did not seem to have gone through to the grass/rocks below, a lot of the off piste areas were still looking extremely rocky.
Whilst conditions could in no way be described as perfect, it is a promising start to the winter season, and with more heavy snowfall due next weekend there is every reason to be optimistic about the coming winter!
Avoriaz will open again on Sunday and then reopen on the 11th for the winter.
