What an amazing week we’ve had here in Les Portes du Soleil! We’ve had everything from sunshine to snow since Monday, and as I write this it’s just started snowing beautiful big snowflakes yet again!
I spent most of Tuesday in Morzine and Les Gets, and although temperatures were freezing, and to be completely honest, visibility was poor, we had a good morning racing from Morzine to Les Gets and back again too. The afternoon was fun as well, I spent a good chunk of it riding laps under the Pleney bubble lift where there was knee deep powder in places and the trees made visibility a little bit better. In the morning it was bitterly cold though, and for the next couple of days at least, I would recommend a face-mask of some description to prevent wind burn on the less covered slopes.
Today was a lot better. Visibility, for the most, was fantastic, and the snow was out of this world: light fluffy powder all afternoon. We started the day in Avoriaz, and as the powder began to get tracked out, we headed over to Les Crosets, Champoussin, and finally Morgins. As Morgins is a little off the beaten track in Les Portes du Soleil, we managed to ride fresh lines until well into the afternoon. Do remember though, if you are heading over to the Swiss side, from Avoriaz, Morzine or Les Gets, make sure you allow enough time to get home, as it’s a long bus ride or an expensive taxi ride home if you get stuck. That said, it is well worth the visit. It’s a lot more relaxed on the quieter slopes, especially when the schools are in session. Do remember your passport though, as you are leaving Europe and can be stopped and asked for identification around the border. Most mountain restaurants will accept both Swiss Francs and Euros so you should be ok for lunch on both sides of the border. The exchange rates can be a little on the steep side though so do beware; it might be cheaper to use a card than to use a different currency.
There are a lot of fairly safe tree runs in Morgins as it’s almost impossible not to cross a path at some point that will take you back down to the main chair lift as long as you are on the Swiss side of the hill. The pistes back in the Avoriaz direction are rather flat if you’re on a snowboard though. If you are on a board and have time, it may be easier if you ski into central Chatel and take the bus to Linga - or even a couple of stops further to Pré la Joux - and hop over to the Lindarets bowl. This will give you access back to Avoriaz or down to Ardent from which you can get a bus back to Morzine.
We’re due a little more sunshine, and less wind today (Thursday), so it should be another great day to ski, and with Friday set to be yet another bluebird powder day with even less wind, it’s looking like a good end to a pretty amazing week. There is light snow forecast for Saturday and Sunday, so there should be some fresh stuff for the start of next week. With Saturday set to be another snowy day here, Sunday morning should be a great time to be on the mountain if the forecast holds true.
If you’re coming here on holiday next week, lots of warm clothes are essential, mostly because it is going to be freezing. Some pisteurs are predicting a low of minus 30 overnight in the coming fortnight so it really is going to be cold. It is also fairly quiet right now; so you can enjoy the slopes to their full potential. This also means you can more easily find a seat during the lunchtime rush but remember, this is still the best time to ski though, think empty pistes!
As for where to ski this week, well you have a vast area around you and it’s all good, if it’s a little busy in the main areas. Head further afield and you should find something to your liking. I’m going to be donning my transceiver this week and making the most of any powder snow I can find. There is evidence of some pretty big slides about so do make sure you’re careful out there. In the words of a Henry Schniewind, from Henry’s Avalanche Talks, Safety is Freedom, so stay safe and enjoy the mountain.
Bon ski!
