France: Powder Conditions, Avalanche Risk '4-High'

18th January 2010 | Alicia Taylor, Executive Editor, Europe

Resorts in this article: Alpe d'Huez, Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Courchevel, Flaine, Formiguères, Isola 2000, La Clusaz, La Plagne, Les Orres, Meribel, Montgenèvre, Morillon, Puy Saint Vincent, Samoëns, Serre Chevalier, Val Thorens, Vars, Vaujany

France now boasts the deepest snow in the Alps after a slow start to the season.

Perfect powder conditions are being reported in numerous French resorts following a series of recent snowstorms. More than a metre of snow fell on Chamonix and Puy St. Vincent in the first week of January, creating waist-deep powder.

Topping the French snowfall table today is Argentiere and Chamonix with 400cm on the upper slopes and 133cm on the lower slopes. Flaine, Morillon, and Samoens have 285cm; La Clusaz has 260cm; Puy St Vincent has 200cm; and Montgenevre, Vaujany, and Alp d'Huez all have 220cm.

An increased risk of avalanches has come with the heavy snow: 26 French resorts are currently on level 4 out of 5, meaning 'high risk' of avalanche. Level 4 resorts include big-names such as Abondance, Flaine, Formigueres, Les Gets, Megeve, Morzine, and Saint Gervais Mont-Blanc. Météo France, the national meteorological service, is strongly advising against any off-piste skiing or snowboarding in the current conditions.

More snow has fallen in France over the past week: 90cm in Cauterets and Gavarnie; 60cm in Peyragudes, Formigueres, Nistos, and La Mongie; 55cm in Morzine, Camurac, and Alpe d'Huez; and 40cm in Avoriaz and Saint Gervais Mont-Blanc.

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