Welcome to March in the Chamonix valley! The days are getting longer, and the sun is getting warmer when it is out. Today there was some really good spring skiing conditions, with warmer air than we have had recently. Le Tour was a great place to catch the sun at lunch time, just don't forget the sunscreen.
In the middle of the day, the snow facing the sun was just softening to corn snow, after being quite icy earlier in the morning. Later on it was getting a bit slushy in the direct sunshine, but there are many different facing slopes to choose from at Le Tour, and it has to be one of the most scenic ski areas in the world on a clear day. The Saturday crowds were out, but they dispersed pretty well on the pistes, and I didn't wait long for the lifts.
Off-piste are some smooth moguls and some slightly chopped snow, which is pretty skiable when it softens.
The ski-de-fond tracks in the valley are also still in excellent shape, and looked very good today as I passed by on the bus.
