By Rob Downham
Alpine Elements French Office, Chamonix: The first day of opening at les Contamines  (near Chamonix) saw excellent conditions on Piste – infinitely better than the same time last year! Recent snowfalls had been very well prepared to make a packed powder on the marked runs and plenty of off piste skiers and boarders were enjoying 30 – 50cm of the fluffy stuff.

A skiable area from 1470m to approximately 2200m was open giving plenty of variety.

Elsewhere in the Chamonix valley great  skiing was reported at the Grand Montets where 2 runs and lifts were open from 1972m to 2765m , the more adventurous were also rewarded with great off piste conditions (consistently knee deep powder).

It’s currently snowing again and up to another 40cm is expected by midday today at 2000m. Gradually clearing up from the middle of the week, it conditions could very well be a near perfect when the majority of the French ski areas commence full opening next weekend.

We have a group of guests in Tignes at the moment who ski there at the same time each year have praised the conditions saying – “they are better than usual, although the overcast conditions created flat light skiing yesterday.”

The temperatures will be a bit up and down during this week, but again more snow is expected tonight and the second part of the week should be great – clear skies and cold air.