Snow report Chamonix, 11/28/2017

Snow condition

The last snowfall brought up to 30cm of fresh light powder snow to the Chamonix valley and nearby Swiss zones. In some places, like north east aspect couloirs, the snow accumulated more than 30cms and it felt bottomless. So yesterday, November 27th we skied blower pow! See photos.

Snow quality

The snow quality is excellent above 2000m. Finally most of the rocks have been covered (most!) and the 30cm of fresh snowfall has added a much needed layer of powder on top of the thin base. The snow is very light and and cold with temperatures staying quite low in the region. This is good and means the snow will stay soft and light especially in protected zones. Southern aspects are also now starting to fill in and with one more snow fall I think some south facing lines above 2000m will be ready to ski.

Speaking just on my experience of skiing north east aspect slopes at 35-40 degrees yesterday, there is a very low avalanche danger at the moment. The fresh snow is on a thin base but it seems to be binding quite well and temperatures remain cold. The only thing to watch out for is sluff. The only movement I noticed was on some southern aspects where the snow was warming up in the sun and naturally becoming heavier and sliding on the thin base layer. But nothing major to report.

Overall impression

Excellent ski touring conditions above 2000m in the Chamonix area and towards the Swiss border and area of Finhaut. There is up to 50cms snow forecast from Tuesday evening until Friday. The ski areas of Les Grands Montets and Les Houches are opening on Saturday.