It's no secret that the Alps has not had any real snowfall for a few weeks. Skies have generally been blue and cloudless, and most of the snow that people have been skiing on fell way back in late December/early January.
Despite this however pisteurs have been working overtime to maintain the pistes and from reports we've received from around the Alps, the snow conditions have been very good. There may be less terrain available to ski, but what is there has been very carefully managed. Low temperatures for most of January have meant that resorts could also make lots of the artificial stuff to top up what Mother Nature had supplied.
Now as February half-term season begins, resorts are likely to be more crowded - with more people on fewer pistes. So if you're heading out tomorrow, it's a good time to brush up on basic piste etiquette for your own and everyone else's safety.
Take a look at the FIS rules for skiers and snowboarders which will give you a good grounding of what you should and should not be doing. Whether you're a two or twenty week skier/boarder, one of the main things to remember is to always control your speed - you never know what might be just over the brow of the hill that you're careering towards- a children's ski school group snaking across slowly, a bunch of snowboarders sitting in the middle, someone that's fallen over and is having problems getting up - if you're going too fast to avoid these hazards then you're not in control. Be aware of what's going on around you and give other slope-users space. Remember to adapt your speed to the slope and conditions too - a well pisted, empty red slope at 9.00am will allow you to let rip and ski as if you own the mountain, a beginners blue slope at 11.30am will be very different.
Whilst there hasn't been much snow, there has been lots of fantastic sunshine which looks set to continue for a few more days at least, and longer term forecasts are hinting at snow for next week, and a drop in the recent spring-like temperatures. So if you're heading to the mountains for half-term have a wonderful, safe holiday!
Top of the Grande Motte at Tignes yesterday, 10th Feb - good snow, fantastic sunshine - Happy Holidays!
