Courchevel Snow Report: 4th December 2012

What a week! A massive storm has hit the alps and here in Courchevel we've received 50cms in the last 24 hours. The temperatures have remained cold throughout and the trees are laden with snow. Cars are buried and the road clearing machinery is working overtime. Fortunately, I headed down to Moutiers two days ago and purchased a pair of snow tires and after a fair bit of digging this morning I'm still able to get around resort.

We've tried to make the most of the snowfall by breaking out our touring gear. Last Friday we got a small weather window and set our alarms for 6.30am. We strapped on our boots, skis and skins and for the first this winter headed out into the snow. The conditions were amazing, the moon lit the landscape and the snow was light and fluffy. We skinned up to the top of the Ariondaz bubble lift before getting the first powder turns of the season. The snow was a little sticky but it was just great to be out.

We followed this with a skin two days later. This time the snowstorm had really set in and we spent an hour trekking up in white-out conditions. The conditions on the ground had changed, the wind had picked up and moved the snow, leaving the piste a little bare. No need to panic though, since then it has literally not stopped snowing and there's no sign of it letting up any time soon. Hopefully, if the wind abates, the snow will be heavy enough to stick, creating the best base I've seen in my eight years in resort.

Despite how excited we are about this ridiculous influx of snow it's not without impact across the valley. Builders are struggling to finish projects, before holiday-makers hit at the weekend and the roads are mayhem. Cars lay abandoned the length of the road up from the valley as locals and resort staff alike struggle to drive in testing conditions. Deliveries are not making it through and public transport has ground to a halt.

We set a time-lapse shot up on our balcony yesterday and you can see the build up of snow in just over 3 hours. The forecast is for more so if you're heading out to Courchevel any time soon be sure to pack your powder skis and avi gear and don't forget those snow tires if you're driving! Click on the image above to view our 3 hour snowfall timelapse in Courchevel Moriond.

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