Chamonix Snow Report: 12th November 2009

Here in Chamonix this week we have seen temperatures dropping to something a little more acceptable for winter time and the snow level is creeping downwards . With a fair amount of snow falling up high we should see lifts starting to open very soon, although the temperature in town has been dipping in out of freezing so not a lot of snow below 1500m yet.

This week I went and got myself a new ski pass before the early saver discount finishes at the end of this month, and you should be pleased to know that this year we will be seeing the return of Les Houches on the unlimited pass along with Courmayeur (just through the tunnel into Italy) with a free bus service and discounted tunnel tickets if your driving. Also not only do we get Verbier on the pass again but the entire four valleys it is linked to as well as 50% off trains to Martigny where you will need to change to get the train to Verbier. So a pretty good deal this year and if you're coming out for more than a couple of weeks you might even save a bit of money if you get an early saver discount season pass!

With the Aiguille lift shut this week and a fair amount of rain lower down/snow higher up its time to look at what else you can do in thel valley. So after buying my pass from the Montenvers cash desk I decided to make good use of it and head up the train, to check out the snow level and have a little look around the ice caves, which is a very popular tourist attraction. The trains up to the Mer de Glace are running about once an hour at the moment with a break for lunch, and tickets can be purchased at the cash desk just next to the station itself. It's worth going in a bit early to have a look at some of the historical pictures regarding the making of the train line before being ushered on to the train where you will catch some outstanding views on the way up without the long walk up.

We admired the view for a while taking a mental note of where new crevasses looked like they where opening up for when the Vallee Blanche will be possible. There a number of short strolls in the area and also a couple of climbing walls when there isn't so much snow on them so we had a little wander around checking out the depth of snow at 1900m. After taking a few pictures we headed to the crystal museum where all sorts of minerals were on show that had been dug out from the mountain. We headed back to catch the last train down, and stopping off for a drink at the Chambre Neuf bar just a 2 minute walk from the train.

This weekend, I'll be taking a little trip over to Verbier as they are opening the lifts there at weekends during November and seen as it is on the pass, it would be rude not to!