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

Snow condition

We were in Champoluc from 19-22.12. From about 2000m upwards, there is enough snow on the north side. 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 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. From hard as a board to slightly wind-covered, everything is there. Due to the fresh snow many rocks are covered 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 December 21, blasting was carried out from a helicopter at Punta Indren. A lot of snow has fallen, especially in the central couloir.

Overall impression

All slopes are very well groomed. Downhill skiing is very good. Below 2000m nothing works in the terrain, above that a lot. Picture 2 shows the lift table. Except for the run to Punta Indren and the downhill run 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.