news blog

Report 12 January 2018

At last the good weather has returned!

Be careful along the valley floor, there is hard packed snow with patches of bare ice on the footpaths. This is the case up to about 1800m

Ski Touring:   In the Aiguilles rouges the cols Belvédère – Dards – Crochues Bérard are tracked. Depending on altitude and aspect, the snow can be crusted, and becoming heavy below, 2300m.

The cols Cicle and Fenêtre at Contamines are also tracked.

Aiguillette des Posettes by the Ardoisières : take care at the start, hard snow with frozen avalanche debris, (not for beginners.)

Argentière Sector: The top cable car at Grands Montets is still not open (12^th January) due to security checks following the storms.  It has been reported that, following 6 days of snow, the cols look to be OK except for the glacier du Milieu. 

Clearly, a lot of other ski tours are now tracked, though we have not received any information for the moment.

Vallée Blanche: It is being skied! The ridge is not yet equipped, (some stakes only) and the route has a mountaineering feel to it at the start of this season. The level of snow cover is generally good. The «Salle à Manger » is OK.  The way to the Mottets is tracked.  There is some verglas on the track down to Chamonix.  

Ice climbing:  Parties have gone to the Cremerie and Argentiere Rive Gauche, no further information for the moment.

Winter Mountaineering and Gullies:  No information for the moment.

This update is brief, and is limited by the amount of information received by the OHM.

Report 8th January 2018

A quick update on conditions following the violent storms.

Most of the lifts will remain closed, (especially the Aiguille du Midi and Grands Montets) for several days, therefore limiting mountain activity.  

Since the large snowfalls at the end of December it has been unseasonably warm with the snow/rain limit is around 2500m. 

In the high mountain there have been violent winds with gusts over 200 km/h at the Aiguille du Midi; greatly affecting the snow cover.

The faces and gullies remain extremely dry and there is very little snow on the glaciers, especially lower down.

Vallée Blanche: The ridge is not equipped but the route has been skied on a few occasions.  A high level of expertise, together with excellent glacier skills are essential.
Le Pas de Chèvre: The exit is totally impractical, the moraines have no snow and are unstable.

Below 3000 m, there is a good snow cover but with the unseasonably high temperatures and the rain, the conditions are mediocre.  Sharp edges on your skis are recommended!

Ice climbing: The Cremerie is more like a site for canyoning.   On the Rive Droite, (Argentiere), it looks like the lower part of Icelander has collapsed and there is a large fracture line at the foot of Grand Bleu.

Ski touring: The snow is generally good for skiing in the high mountain.  At mid altitudes, the snow is less accommodating, (hard and crusty).

The paths along the valley floor and the marked snow shoe trails are accessible, but take care as there are sections with bare ice.  

More unstable weather is forecast for the next few days with wind at altitude, (the foehn has already been blowing for two days,) but without much snow.

Please do not forget to inform the OHM of your outings and conditions experienced.

Report 30th December 2017

The weather continues unsettled and frequent snowfalls are accompanied by strong winds at altitude.  Over the past 3 days there has been a significant increase to the snowpack, (one and a half metres at 2000m).  A marked warm spell is now present.

The avalanche risk is high this weekend.

Be cautious!  The conditions are unusual and difficult to analyse.  Consult BERA, (Avalanche Risk site) or the professionals and be properly equipped, (transceiver, shovel, probe as a minimum.)   If in doubt, go with a guide.   

Ski touring and snow shoeing: be aware that the weight of the snow could bring down trees.

You are reminded that access to the ski areas is forbidden other than during the official opening hours.  This is because of the activities of the piste bashers, PIDA. (purging by the avalanche patrol) etc.  This includes the lower slopes, (e.g Nants piste, Trapette).

The prepared ski touring tracks are closed for the moment, (except for the one at Les Houches.)

Report 22nd December 2017

Since the last update on the 8th of December a lot of snow has fallen, often with strong winds at mid and high altitudes.  50 to 60 cms has settled at the valley floor and over a metre at 1800/2000m.

The avalanche risk is significant above 2000m.  Consult the bulletin from B.E.R.A  (avalanche assessment) and the weather forecast before setting out.  Take care, a rise in temperatures is expected this weekend.

Activity in the mountains is slowly increasing, especially ski touring.
The Aiguillettes des Houches, the Posettes and the 4x4 track up to the Loriaz Chalets are tracked. (More info in the OHM route book ).  The Petit Croisse Baulet, near Megeve, has also seen some activity.
The snow is very variable, depending upon aspect and altitude, but overall the conditions are good.

No information for the high mountain, the second stage of the Aig du Midi lift has only just opened and the Grand Montets top lift is due to open on 23 December.  Looking at the webcams, the faces still appear to be grey and very dry.

Vallée Blanche: The ridge is not yet equipped, but the route has been skied, (no further information.)  Without a perfect knowledge of the area and competency in glacier travel, it is recommended to wait a while or hire a guide.

Concerning ice climbing, no specific information has been received though it appears that there has been a bit of activity at the Crèmerie and the Cascade de Bérard.  For the moment, Cogne could be the better option. 

For snow shoers, the signposted routes are accessible with sufficient snow to start from the valley floor.  

Do not forget to report your experiences on the Chamoniarde /OHM online route book.  It only takes a few minutes and helps fellow alpinists

Chamoniarde takes this opportunity to wish everybody a Happy Christmas