Snow report Valle D'Aosta, 12/21/2016

Snow condition

We were in Champoluc from 19-22.12. There is enough snow on the north side from about 2000m upwards. The last dump didn't change this significantly.picture 1 shows Champoluc, in the Val d'Ayas, on 21.12., in the morning. The day before, towards the end of the snowfall, it was already quite warm (1°C, at 1600 m) and it was only possible to ski down the valley on the very well-groomed pistes. Everything else below 2000m makes no sense. Above that there's a lot going on ...

Snow quality

About 50 cm of snow has fallen above 2000 m. Due to the warmth, it is already quite heavy and lies on a variable layer of old snow. Everything from hard as a board to slightly wind-covered, many rocks are covered by the fresh snow and difficult to recognize.

The Lawi in the Aostal still indicates a tense 3 for Alagna-Champoluc. The fresh snow is bonding very slowly and poorly with the hardened old snow cover. Wind drifting is an issue. On 21.12., blasting was carried out from the helicopter at Punta Indren. A lot of snow has fallen, especially in the central couloir.

Overall impression

All pistes are very well prepared. Downhill skiing is very good. Below 2000m nothing works in the terrain, above that quite a bit. Picture 2 shows the lift map. Apart from the lift to Punta Indren and the descent to Alagna, everything is in operation and, compared to the situation in the northern Alps, definitely worthwhile. A ski tour report will follow (16.-19.12.) ... the situation there is even better.