26/12/11: Back To The Piste

Last week's dumpathon has come to an end and we've seen no significant new snow for a good few days now. The weather has gone back to default Chamonix winter mode - clear, blue sky, sunny and cold - and looks like it's going to stay that way for a couple of days, according to the weather. Showers at the weekend.

Luckily the cold has left what powder remains in good condition; pisteside and in the trees you'll find light fluff under a thin (<1cm) suncrust, which makes an enormously satisfying zippy noise when your ski or board slices through.

We went to Les Houches for a Christmas ride yesterday; blue skies, not much pow, soft landings, brittle, grippy pistes - and it was spectacular. No-one around and great edge-grip everywhere. We spent most of our time on the sweeping, fast groomers on the St Gervais side of the mountain with amazing aerial views down to Passy and over Sallanches.

Les Houches mountain restauration...bargain! Not taking the p*ss, buying a p*ss!