After witnessing with dismay the conditions in the Hautes Alpes with a too high snow line compared to the rest of the Alps, everything has turned out just fine. Following the downpour on Friday, the temperature dropped, and it already snowed significantly on Saturday. However, the real dump on Monday ensured that here in the Pays des Ecrins, we have nothing to be jealous of.
On foot uphill
Outside Montgenèvre, no ski resorts are open yet. The first ones will open next weekend. So, it meant going uphill on foot We chose to hike up in the Pelvoux ski area (recommended for freeriders), due to limited visibility (it was still snowing) and considerable avalanche danger, and it turned out to be a fantastic choice.
Deep powder
At our starting point, there was already about 40 to 50 centimeters of snow, but as we went higher in the ski area, it quickly became more. And what snow it was – delightful light powder on a solid (thanks to rain) base. Nowhere fearing sharks, and good snow everywhere. For early December, excellent conditions – actually, great conditions for the entire season!
The season has begun!
If everything goes well, there will be additional snow here in the southern French Alps next Friday, and the conditions will only get better. The season has truly begun!