Following recent articles in the British press regarding poor snow conditions in the Alps, let me just put the records straight. Yes, it has been a slow start to the season, but let’s not jump to conclusions and say that there’s going to be ‘No’ snow for season 11/12. Over the last week the northern Alps have had over a metre of snow upwards of 1300m and ski areas such as the Portes du Soleil are opening as planned this weekend. There is further snow forecast over the next few days and everyone coming out for an early ski is going to enjoy some fantastic pre-Christmas ski conditions.
Resorts such as Tignes, Verbier and Saas Fe have been enjoying nearly perfect snow conditions for the last few weeks and with the recent snowfall, pretty much every ski area is now ready to open the gates to everyone looking for some fun on the slopes.
Let’s face it, these are testing times for everyone right now and articles from journalists (not meteorologists) self proclaiming that the snow will never arrive has a massive knock on effect to all the companies that work incredibly hard to run businesses abroad in the mountains. Most of the small companies are on very small profit margins with property rental rates going through the roof the last few years, so when bad press goes out regarding the snow industry, then bookings and enquiries simply just stop coming through as people are too scared to take the risk on their holiday. This then results in most companies having to drop prices just to get people over to the mountains and try to break even, and many of the small companies are literally promoting rates which are actually costing them. Although this is good for the consumer, it’s actually just another nail in the coffin for the economy and we need to be supporting and doing our best for all the hard working small companies out there to help get things back on track again.
The reality is, that even with one of the worst seasons on record last year, with all of the infrastructure that modern day resorts have in place with making artificial snow, the snow conditions on piste were actually really good, and the general feedback across the Alps for the season was – “it was so much better than we expected it to be!!”
We don’t know how this year is going to be in the mountains, but what we do know is that snow conditions are superb right now and there’s nothing to say that the rest of the season isn’t going to be the same.
Ski and Snowboard holidays are always going to be a bit of a gamble regarding the weather – some like fresh snow, some like the hard pack piste and it’s difficult to please everyone – but as long as there’s white stuff up top then you can rest assured that you’re going to be able to have fun up there……………..and that’s what it’s all about!!
So to all the non-believers out there - Don’t Believe The Hype!! Rest easy that you can book your ski holiday in confidence, and if the fresh snow isn’t falling, then they’ll be working the snow cannons to have the pistes in fantastic condition.
Here’s to a great season 11/12 – I know that I’m going to be making the most of the snow so don’t be put off………not everything you read is true!!
If you’re looking for a ski or snowboard holiday this winter then check out http://www.independentmountain.com/
Here are some more photos taken today up in Avoriaz to help entice you over to the mountains:
