SNOWBOARDING DESTINATIONS SEASON 2016
Conditions, Resorts and Destinations
You lovely people may have heard that resort conditions, especially in the French Alpes were off to a ‘rocky’ start this year.
We’re writing a short blog to give you an update on all the most visited (or destinations I know are beautiful right now) mountains starting from 26th January.
Storms for a lot of the French resorts have passed over and avalanche blasting has finally caught up with the amount of snow that has been dumped.
I wouldn’t recommend riding anything right out in the backcountry without a guide as of yet due to the avalanche control being focused on the pistes and surrounding areas. There are still some sketchy underlying layers.
France
Tignes – Right now Tignes is looking pretty hot with a 99cm snow base at 2100m and 180cm snow base at 3300m. 51 of the total 154 runs are currently open to ski and board. 13 green, 19 blue, 13 red and 6 blacks. Webcams look good and the weather forecast shows more snow this weekend.
Chamonix – Looking at some skiing videos from this week and the snow report, I can see that Chamonix is still looking gorgeous. I’d steer away from the backcountry too much as mentioned before. I only say this again because the trees in Chamonix often tempt people. Take heed of avalanche warnings and ask lifties if in doubt.
Morzine – What can I say? Morzine looks absolutely stunning right now. One of the top destinations for any boarder in the French Alpes right now. 114/117 trails open, 82/85 lifts open and a 60cm snow base in resort!
La Clusaz – Having beem here recently, the day we left it was dumping, as it seems, it’s been bluebirding and dumping ever since. With 78/84 runs open and 44/49 lifts, it’s safe to say that La Clusaz is well and truly open. Personally I’d recommend La Balme.
Val-d’Isere – This powder bowl is well and truly full. 73/76 runs open, 41/42 lifts open and a huge 97cm snow base in resort. Val D has and always will be a delight when the snow is good, and right now, it’s great!
Vaujany – Vaujany is looking a little bare right now and there’s been no snow since the 16th January. With an 18cm average base snow depth, we’d recommend you look elsewhere for a shred this month.
Val Thorens/Three Valleys – One of my personal favourite resorts, due to the epic height of these pistes and their position on a glacier, the snow is always incredible and the runs here are epic. With 3 mountains of terrain to choose from and a huge amount of off piste backcountry to explore (with a guide!) you will be spoiled for choice. Right now I’m happy to say that there is an incredible 120cm snow base in resort and 195cm at the summit. 79/80 runs open in VT alone and every single lift running. Meribel has a 70cm base in resort, 60/63 trails open and 39/41 lifts open.
Alpe D’Huez – 23cm of snow in resort and 200cm at the summit. 109/134 runs currently open, Alpe D’Huez has a lovely park and kicker line which with the amount of snowfall that has occurred, it should be open. I personally think that Alpe D’Huez would be a pretty solid shout for a freestyle rider due to the park right now.
Les Deux Alpes – The first resort I ever visited. I can assure you that after some snow it’s pretty amazing. I was lucky enough to experience a dump followed by bluebird and it was ridiculous. However right now there’s not been any snow since the 15th of January and the base is only 25cm in resort.
Canada
Whistler – If you’re lucky enough to be out in Whistler at any point this season, you’ll enjoy a ridiculous snow base of 201cm in resort with regular snowfall and 200/200 trails to explore. No introductions needed here, Whistler is looking GREAT.
Sunshine Village – Similar story with Sunshine Village, regular snowfall over the last 3 days of 7cm, 110/115 trails open and all the lifts. Forecast is for even more snow this week and a lull on the weekend, so hopefully some sun will show itself and create some bluebird conditions to enjoy.
Lake Louise – Being in such close proximity to Sunshine Village, Lake Louise shares pretty much the exact same weather, all the lifts are open and the snow depth is 114cm with 140/145 trails open for business.
Big White – Somewhere I’ve always dreamed of going. Right now this place is a winter wonderland with an incredible 232cm of snow at the base. You heard it, over 2m of snow. With consistent snowfall of 2cm per day over the last 3 days the piste should be sparkly fresh. I’ve been told that this place is a powder playground, the perfect destination for any snowboarder.
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