The first onslaught of winter has had some victories - the following cols (road passes) are closed:

Col de l’Iseran
- from the 26th October

Col de la Madeleine,
Col du Glandon
Col de la Croix de Fer
Col du Galibier
Col du Mont Cenis
Col du Petit St Bernard
Col du Cormet de Roseland
- from the 9th November

The Gorges d’Arly are closed again until the 14th of December (sigh).

More road improvements in the Gorges d’Arly, resulting in closure?

I may be wrong but I think they had another landslide a couple of weeks ago and they are doing some stabilization work. But the gorges were closed for months last year for just this reason???

Ahh! I hate that diversion!! I’ve got to go that way on Friday night.

Up to 40cm at 1800m around the Portes du Soleil over the weekend, snowing hard now, another 30 to 40cm predicted. I predict a ski on Friday.

Verbier will open some runs at the weekend. Val Thorens have put up some photos

http://www.valthorens.com/hiver/actualites/reportages/reportages-photo/1ere-neige-460-1.html

Val Thorens won’t open until the 23rd - guess they got burned too much by predicting early opening in previous seasons. There is some ski touring to be had at the moment. I’m intending on going up into the Jura if I have time next week and maybe the Chartreuse this weekend (already managed a tour at the end of September).

20cm in Morzine and 30cm in Les Gets. 40cm reported in Sixt fer a Cheval this morning. Good viz and cold forecast on Friday, I can’t wait!

Franck could not wait.

http://www.skitour.fr/sorties/tete-des-lindars,7663.html

Yes I saw Franck’s Trip Report. Apparently the zero isotherm will be at 3000 m for the beginning of next week so we had better take advantage while we can.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mNQrZhURNg

40/50cm at 1800m. Not a rock in sight.

The Gorges d’Arly is open now when travelling North only. Does anyone know of a web site that has up-to-date info for the roads in the Alps?

The Savoie highway’s department has a good map:-

http://www.savoie-route.com/savoie_route-carte_de_la_circulation-1.html

the Clever Bison may also have some useful information

http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/diri/Accueil.do

Thanks

The road up to Le Corbier (D78a) will be blocked until the 7th March due to a landslide. There is a detour via la Toussuire which doesn’t add much to the journey and is quite scenic… as long as it doesn’t snow too heavily this week.

The col du Glandon (1924m) which links the Isere with the Savoie is officially open.). The col de la Madeleine and the cormet de Roselend opened on the 30th of May. All are good destinations for some late season ski touring.

The col du Galibier will open today 6th June at midday but via the tunnel. The col (2646m) is clear but the avalanche risk is still too high to open the road. The opening of the Col de l’Agnel is delayed. The Italians still haven’t reached the summit although it is clear on the French side. The road has suffered damage above Fongillarde due to the heavy rain and may not be practicable. Over the summer Guillestre in the Queyras will only be reachable via the long col d’Izoard due to works in the gorges - check access before travelling.