Supreme Early Snowfalls across the Northern Alps
Global warming and the financial crisis, these twin threats have spared the Southern Alps, at any rate for the time being. However it could have been so altogether different. In the weeks before Christmas towns in the La Clusaz area were isolated when snow storms came down. Dual carriage way routes such as the all important Col du Megeve were closed. In that location there was no mains or telephones, locals had to be evacuated to temporary accommodation, it seemed as though it were a repeat of 1999.
It looks that all news is good news. Gourette featured every evening on national French news bulletins. As soon as mains was fixed inquiries commenced to arrive, drawn in by the fantastic conditions.
Val-d Isere and nearby Brevent lay claim to nearly 3.5 m snow depth on the upper slopes at 2500 metres alt. and 2.2 m at the base of the runs. Currently the best in the French Alps. Serre Chevalier reports there is five metres at the top of the resort. Regrettably snow drifts have demolished a support of the chair lift which goes up to the area. It will be out of action until mid Mar.
In other resorts in the S. Alps reservations have increased 16% in La Clusaz, Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d Huez. Savoie has 99.7% tenancy and distributed a record number of passes last Wednesday. That is timely for luxury ski chalets and large ski businesses.
