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The season of endless powder continues in Les Arcs

Boom Boom Pow!

featured in Snow report Author Sam Birch, Les Arcs Reporter Updated

This morning, I was awoken by the regular and particularly loud sounds of avalanche triggers being detonated across the mountain. We had been anticipating some snow overnight but, when you hear the constant booming of explosions echoing around the valley, you can be pretty sure it is going to be a great day on the pistes.

In reality, it had snowed throughout the night and was continuing to do so everywhere above 1000 metres altitude. The 15cm of fresh powder delivered overnight was, therefore, being continually topped up all day long. This has ensured excellent conditions in many sectors, although a couple of lifts were closed due to increased avalanche risk.

More snow as the season of endless powder continues in Les Arcs

The pistes

In general, the pistes are in very good order with fresh powder lasting on many of the runs until midday and the margins staying soft until the close of play. There’s a lot of powder on the off-piste, with surprisingly few skiers and snowboarders straying beyond the markers. This lack of action may be due to the incessant flat light, with the misty weather precluding any real sunshine.

More snow as the season of endless powder continues in Les Arcs

Although there has been no rain in any of the resorts, the lower pistes can feel a little sticky in places and the approach to some of the lifts is very slippery indeed: although not strictly icy. It was worth exercising caution at the approach to the barriers on both the Cachette and Grizzly chairlifts.

More snow as the season of endless powder continues in Les Arcs

The snow front around the Peisey lift and Vanoise Express is looking a little grey, which is quite odd, as the snow depth in that area is in excess of a metre. Due to the recent powder, some runs which are typically very even are developing moguls and random bumps (for example, the top of Charmettoger and parts of Renard). Overall, however, I am nitpicking; the conditions are lovely practically everywhere and, in any other season, I would probably be describing them as ideal.

More snow as the season of endless powder continues in Les Arcs

This is not “any other season”, though, it has been thick with snow and relatively thin on clear sky days. Usually, I would expect three out of four days to be sunny but this year it has almost certainly been the other way ‘round. This week is no different. Today visibility has actually been alright, the light was very flat but you could generally see at least a hundred metres ahead.

More snow as the season of endless powder continues in Les Arcs

The snow has been gentle but constant and the sun (barely) broke through the cloud on only one occasion. The freezing level is low but it is not particularly cold. We are still benefitting from exceptional snow depths which range from nearly four metres at the top (3226m) to 150cm in Arc 1600

More snow as the season of endless powder continues in Les Arcs

The forecast

Wednesday should be sunnier and this, in turn, should address some of the “anomalies” in terms of on-piste conditions. The freezing level is expected to rise briefly, creating almost perfect conditions for a full day’s skiing. With visibility improving, the currently soft off-pistes will be more accessible and should be well-used before the lifts close.

More snow as the season of endless powder continues in Les Arcs

By night time on Wednesday, the clouds will begin to regroup and we can expect a return to light snow and mist for the foreseeable future. The conditions underfoot should be spectacular for the next week, but light snow will dominate (except over the weekend when it may be replaced by heavy snow!)

More snow as the season of endless powder continues in Les Arcs

Lifts

As mentioned, the recent snowfall has seen a few lifts closed until the surrounding pistes can be adequately secured. Typically, Aiguille Rouge has been closed all day, whilst the adjoining Varet gondola and nearby Grand Col are also out-of-action. I hope that all of them will reopen on Wednesday, although it is possible that the Aiguille Rouge may take a touch longer.

More snow as the season of endless powder continues in Les Arcs

Although there will be regular snowfall, no massive dumps are expected before the weekend, so the lifts should remain largely accessible. I think it is going to be a lovely week!

Location

Map of the surrounding area