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

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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