After being spoilt in les Deux Alpes last weekend it is back to the reality of early November.  In Val Thorens the Peclet and Grand Fond funitels were open along with the Cascade, Portette and Plateau lifts.  The snow level is higher further south in the Isére and Hautes Alpes regions with no snow at les Ménuires on the road to resort. The wind had done its worst with the snow.  Off piste there were stones and rocks everywhere.  This is probably why, further north, the opening of Chamonix/Argentiere has been pushed back to, probably, 22 November.  All this was compensated by good on piste skiing and lack of crowds.

Over at Montgenèvre there was between 30-50cm of fresh snow on Saturday night with excellent skiing on Sunday although, as at les Deux Alpes, there were a number of annoying lift breakdowns.  Hell is being trapped on a ski lift with 50cm of fresh powder just below you!

The excellent conditions in the Hautes Alpes also meant that Arvieux en Queyras was able to open its cross-country skiing tracks a month ahead of schedule.  There is already 80cm of snow at 1200 meters.

Avoriaz should be open this coming Friday 14th November weekends only with very good conditions for the time of year, check with the tourist board for details.

l’Alpe d’Huez has also announced that it will open on the 15th of November and the following weekend.  The large cable car (DMC) should be running with skiing to resort but the Pic Blanc and glacier will remain closed.

The Saises has opened its cross country skiing.

Argentiere will remain closed until the 22nd of November at the earliest.  All the other resorts mentioned above will be open.  However a period of setted and warm weather has not been particuarly good to the snow cover with around 20cm at the bottom of the pistes at Tignes and Val Thorens.

d’la_fraiche has posted some pictures from Montgenèvre from the 10th November on his site:

Unfortunately the site is not yet up and running but we’ve included a link just in case.