The calm after the storm in Les Arcs

Many sectors have been inaccessible since Wednesday, with the unstable snow base making lift closures necessary for safety reasons. On Thursday, less than half of the ski lifts were running with both high-level chairlifts from Arc 1600 (Cachette and Mont Blanc) lying dormant. Peisey-Vallandry was one of the least-affected resorts, with the majority of lifts staying open: the proliferation of tree-lined runs and heavily wooded areas in this area seriously reduces the chance of snowslip whilst the directional aspect diminishes the effect of the wind. In Arc 1600, the longest open lifts were Charmettoger and the first half of the Transarc. Only a handful of shorter lifts were open in the Arc 2000/1950 bowl.

Fortunately, by midday on Friday, many of the previously closed lifts had reopened, making it possible to travel over the Col des Frettes from Arc 1800 to the Arc 2000 bowl, and back again via the Col de la Chal. The pistes are particularly busy around Arc 1800 (and the Carreley chairlift), which is probably because people are making the most of the final day of the week, having seen disruption on Wednesday and Thursday. The avalanche risk has been downgraded to 4 (high) and more lifts seem to be reopening every hour.

There is currently a bit of everything and, although the meteorological situation is beginning to calm down, we are likely to see wildly varied conditions underfoot over the weekend. In general, the top layer is surprisingly pleasant, quite soft but without being sludgy. This is mainly noticeable in the lower regions (1400-1800m) where recent snowfall has been wetter and sometimes sleety. The riding is therefore largely comfortable and smooth, although some softer faux-moguls are beginning to form where the inclination is slightly more severe. In some areas, such as the Violettes and Granges red runs around the funicular, the pistes are looking a bit brown; this is actually largely cosmetic, as the snow base is rather exceptional everywhere, and mostly caused by the recent wind blowing debris from the surrounding trees.

You cannot have blizzards without having snow, and snow is always welcome. Although temporary piste closures were inevitable following the exceptional weather we have experienced at the start of this year, the snow base has continued to rise and every part of the mountain, from valley level (800m) upwards, is coated in a thick layer of the magical white stuff. The wind, which has been successively pushing an assortment of weather fronts through the Alps, has already died down and should remain moderate over the weekend. This will encourage more regular temperatures and, in turn, lead to more stable conditions throughout the resorts. In the meantime, the ski domain’s pisteurs will be working hard to clear any avalanche hotspots and otherwise convince the snow to act more predictably. It is already evident, where snow had shifted onto the runs, that piste-bashers have been through and cleaned up. The cloud has largely broken up, although visibility is not yet ideal but we should see some clear spells on Saturday and periodically through next week. January is traditionally a quiet month on the slopes of Les Arcs so you can expect plenty of snow, and room to enjoy it, in the immediate future.