The ‘jour blanc’ conditions in Chamonix were unfolding from early in the day, but without significant fresh snow arriving until tonight and tomorrow, which looks like a jour neige fraîche! Thus many teams headed South through the Mont Blanc tunnel and then South East down Val d’Aosta to find better weather and fresher snow.
These teams were not disappointed as blue skies were soon encountered by Morgex and superb bright blue skies over Aosta. On the shady high slopes above the tracked side country of Pila there was lovely fresh velvet snow and only a few teams enjoying touring in the great snow with folk also doing some steeper lines and couloirs above the resort.
Many teams have been enjoying the good snow cover and decent conditions on Punta Croce, above Arpy and La Thuile, with lightly crusty snow on the classic SE facing normal route but better lighter, cooler snow lower down in the valley and shaded by the steep valley sides above.
Nik embracing the Chamonix Ski Touring Away Day On Punta Croce Above Morgex, Val d’Aosta
Good conditions were also reported from the tours above Aosta en route to Grand St. Bernado in the Col de Serena area as well as further down in the Gressoney Valley.
Higher up the Val d’Aosta in the big & beautiful Val Feret, fine conditions and good snow was reported from the Rifugio Bonatti and tours above the hut. We have 2 places left on our intro ski touring weekend at the Bonatti Hut on the 17-18th Feb.
Good snow volume exists in the Combe Vierge high on the Italian side of the Vallee Blanche and Col d’Entreves as Gav’s photo of our recent touring day there shows at the top of the page. There is good cover on the Italian side right hand passage past the Geant Icefall too although there are some fragile snow bridges over crevasses in this area to be aware of.
