The Team has just returned from a tour of Chamrousse, l’Alpe d’Huez, Flaine and ... Guzet Neige. Ian was in Guzet and reported good snow conditions, although in between teaching his daughters to ski he didn’t do that many runs. He’s currently organizing the PisteHors Pyrenees 2003 Road Trip.
Meanwhile the Alps have been suffering from record high temperatures and lots of rain. On Christmas Eve we checked out and were most impressed with Chamrousse. This resort offers 9 ‘till 19 skiing thanks to floodlights and a ticket system charged by the hour skied. Like the rest of the Alps the snow was excellent above 2000 meters but suffering big time down below. Same situation in l’Alpe d’Huez on Christmas day where we did our start of season avalanche training. We had an excellent day skiing in Flaine with Ski Club of GB Rep Bruce Rogers. Bruce managed to track down some pockets of between piste powder in the afternoon. Flaine (or should that be Fraine?) tourist office were less helpful though, with a curious oriental sounding assistant answering the phone - more effort needed there.
A much needed dump of snow down to 800 meters overnight should have refreshed the verdant lower pistes.