The snow in the Northern French Alps this season really is unprecedented. I think we had another 20-30cms last night in Les Arcs, but it’s quite hard to tell as there is so much of it already! We are due up to 80cms tomorrow which is quite insane, particularly in contrast with last season!

Christmas day in Paradiski consisted of clear blue skies and fresh fluffy snow. Temperatures have remained generally quite mild but have been cold enough at times to allow snow right down to the valley floor.

These are the makings of an epic season and one that I recommend people experience for themselves.  I have attached a couple of fairly recent photos.

Web cam image from 6th April

“We are approaching the Easter holidays and even though we’ve been seeing some really hot Spring days, the skiing here in Val Thorens is still awesome!

Whilst other lower resorts might be seeing the ‘brown’ patches of the cow fields below, we still have a complete snow cover and the conditions are quite simply fantastic!
The compact Spring snow is a delight to slide across, allowing you amazing amounts of grip under foot. There’s nothing quite like the effortless riding on a sugary snowy white surface that is Spring skiing!
You have to make sure you catch it during the best few hours of the day though – generally over an extended lunch time period, but it’s well worth one final mountain adventure and you’ll be glad you fitted in that last winter holiday before the snow goes into hibernation until next season!
By afternoon the snow has softened nicely and we are seeing some of the best mogul skiing I’ve experienced in ages. Well formed, soft bumps, with good lines are there to be smashed and it’s a pure joy!
Stay off the steep black runs, and you can enjoy groomed pistes for a good proportion of the day.

Whatever level of skier you may be, there is something here for everyone and an end of season trip to Val Thorens would be highly recommended.

Come and join us for huge amounts of fun on this snowy mountain before it’s too late!”

View Val Thorens snow report»

The Sunday Times has published an article on one of Erna Low’s favourite residences in Morzine, Portes du Soleil. The article centers on a group of like-minded professionals who banded together to create an inspiring alpine success story and offers some insightful details into the Alpine property market.

The beautiful L’Aiglon de Morzine is one of just a few developments worldwide that are owned and maintained by a cooperative of owners creating a truly unique experience for any holiday makers fortunate enough to stay there.

Joanna Yellowlees-Bound, one of the founders of Aiglon Morzine Ltd recalls the initial work that went into the development – “It was a real learning curve; we had to organise things like rubbish collection, utilities, maintenance and cleaning”.

Whilst there was a lot to digest in the initial months, no obstacle was too large and the group has quickly come to turn this into one of Morzines premier developments.

“As a group, we have a lot of expertise” says Joanna, “we have marketing and sales professionals, a finance director and a property developer, as a group we’re very capable”.

Joanna says because the way the development is run, there is a “vested interest in making the flats as successful as possible, a normal management firm wouldn’t put the same effort into upgrading, redecorating or adding personal touches. This isn’t just any rental business – it’s ours, and we take pride in it”

The L’ Aiglon de Morzine is getting some brilliant feedback and turning into a regular destination for many of its guests, the group wishes everyone a warm welcome and a memorable stay.

If you would like to read the full Success story of L’ Aiglon de Morzine follow the link here to The Sunday Times (You will need a subscription to The Times to be able to view) .

There are loads of reasons to go to Flaine…

It’s car-free, child friendly, icing sugar white throughout and only 8 hours drive from Calais – and it’s packed with the sort of alpine activities that you’ve always wanted to try but didn’t know where to start…like ice driving, snowshoeing, ice quad biking, dog-sledding and one I’ve never even seen before – ski joering!

(If you’ve tried this please tell me it isn’t as difficult as it looks!)

But there‘s one thing Flaine hasn’t necessarily had going for it in the past – and that is luxury, high quality accommodation. But that’s all set to change this season with several brand-new apartments available for the savvy skier to snap up.
In additional to Flaine Montsoleil which opened two years ago, Le Refuge du Golf, open for the first time this December, is situated in the beautiful, more traditional Hameau de Flaine nestled amongst the trees and connected to the modern ski centre by regular ski shuttles. All the apartments are south-facing with fabulous mountain views; there’s a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and spa within the residence as well as a bar and restaurant and ski-hire shop.

I’ve just had a look at the Flaine webcam and there’s already tonnes of  snow on the slopes with 70 lifts and 141 runs already open. The resort itself opens on 11th December and if you want to take advantage of this year’s Early Christmas Week – you’ll get an extra night free! To give you an idea of price Team Erna are offering the week 18th to 26th December – 8 people sharing a 3 bedroom apartment including Eurotunnel crossing for only £178 per person. For a family of 4 or 5 sharing a 1 bedroom apartment including Eurotunnel it’s around £188 per person.

And we’d love to hear from you if you’ve tried any of the snow sports above – especially if it involved being pulled on skis behind a horse!

The weather in the Alps has been very changeable over the last few weeks with January style temperatures of -20 for a while and then a very warm period last week, with rain up to 2000m.

Thankfully the snow is now back in force with cooler temperatures and more snow due above 1200m over the next couple of days.

In Paradiski even when the spring snow gets slushy in the afternoons there is always something to keep you busy. I recently tried cross country skiing for the first time, and now that my legs have stopped aching, I can look back on it with some satisfaction!

Tim making it cross-country

There is a large network of trails around the la Plagne ski area which are also fun to walk if you don’t fancy the unknown quantity of free heel cross country skis. I took several falls due to trying to manipulate these skis as I would alpine skis and I can tell you it doesn’t work!

Mention the words off piste, backcountry or freeride and the French resorts that spring to mind are probably the likes of Chamonix, Val d’Isère, St. Foy, la Grave to name a few. It’s unlikely that high on the average list would be the family friendly resort of La Plagne. More well known for its extensive beginner and intermediate terrain, few are aware of the joys that lie outside the marked runs.

La Plagne - a resort for beginners and intermediates?

Perhaps what makes la Plagne so great after a fresh dump is the very fact that most people are slow to leave the designated pistes, even for just a little play in the powder that beckons only a few metres away.

Fresh tracks on the Friolin Bowl

The terrain that awaits them if they do is extensive and rivals many of the aforementioned big guns. I have to mention at this point that those wishing to discover it should do so with the correct equipment and a professional guide. Other contributing factors include the management’s reluctance to open the higher lifts straight after fresh snow. This might seem like a disadvantage, but it means the powder hungry can make the most of the lower sections and have a second powder day awaiting (if their legs can take it) once the full area opens.

Powpow...

I remember a few years back, on a day trip to Chamonix, being shocked by what I saw in the lift line. Over half the waiting crowd had helmets on and a significant portion were equipped with harnesses, ice screws, ropes etc. All very sensible for an area with so much glacial terrain, but also an indicator of just how quickly any easy fresh tracks will be obliterated and how quickly the ante will be raised if you want to go in search of more.

A freeride Mecca is always full of other eager freeriders and there was much excitement in the valley that day about what turned out to be only 5-10cms of very light snow over an unforgivingly rocky base. I was cautious about damaging my equipment and was surprised to see a small crowd of people huddled round a guy who appeared to be about to drop into a tight couloir with dubious snow cover. As he leaned forward from his perch I was about to shout “’ere mate, you’re still roped to the barrier”, when I realised that there was a photographer climbing up his back trying to get a good shot with the logo on his hat and his ski tips pointing into the void. I left the tourists to find out for themselves that he had no intention of skiing it.

On my first day skiing la Plagne many years ago, I took the gondola up to the glacier only to be greeted by a mogul-filled black run, or a rickety old chair lift to a narrow, snaking red cat track. Not very inspired on first impressions until you realise that these lifts give access to some wonderful off piste itineraries including the Friolin bowl, the Rochu sector, the Cul du Nante and not least the north face of Bellecote. A mythical descent off the back of our highest peak, descending all the way to the nordic ski area of Peisey Nancroix. Not a piste marker in sight for the whole route and entrance points varying from a simple traverse to 45 degree couloirs that you have to rope into.

WHEN THE WEATHER SETS IN THERE IS STILL PLENTY TO DO, WITH SOME EXCELLENT TREE SKIING, WHERE YOU CAN SPEND A WHOLE DAY (OR EVEN A WHOLE WEEK) AND NEVER DO THE SAME ROUTE TWICE.

Powder in the trees

I COULD GO ON, BUT THERE ARE NEW ITINERARIES CALLING, THAT EVEN I HAVEN’T SKIIED AFTER 2 SEASONS, SO ALL THAT REMAINS TO SAY IS GET OUT HERE AND SEE FOR YOURSELF. ACTUALLY, COME TO THINK OF IT, I HEARD CHAMONIX IS PRETTY GOOD… YOU SHOULD PROBABLY GO THERE INSTEAD.