Snow report Ecrins, 01/08/2017

Snow condition

Miserable. There hasn't been any significant snowfall in the region for a month and a half. Below 2300 aper, there is only a thin layer of snow on top...touring is out of the question at the moment.

Snow quality

The slopes in les Deux Alpes are ok. In Alpe d'Huez, not all the lifts are open and the downhill fun is limited to the artificial snow bands. You can also go hiking and count thistles.

The university sports department spontaneously organized a visit to the mountain rescue service (called Secours en Montagne here)Due to a few incidents, the boys and girls have a lot of time and fly around the area, and there are also informative first aid measures, rescue techniques, beacon search and an exercise with the dog squadron leader. In addition, an improved locating system is tested which enables the helpers to determine the location of an emergency call with an accuracy of 15 meters. This requires activated GPS and an internet/roaming connection. My foreign number also worked. Can save valuable minutes in an emergency.

Overall impression

Unfortunately, off-piste activities are out of the question at the moment. But we did get a great insight into the work of the mountain rescue team in Alpe d'Huez. I'm really impressed by what they must be able to do and how professional they are! Hopefully you'll never need it (knock on wood three times)The good news at the end. A change in the weather is in sight and towards the end of the week it will finally be wintry again