Avoriaz

We got a break in the clouds today and Natalie took this photo of Avoriaz.  Many people say that Avoriaz is an ugly town.  Sure, it was purpose-built as a ski resort, but it's been designed to fit into its surroundings.  i think it's quite a pretty town, and, even if you don't like, if you're a certain distance away, it completely blends into the cliff-side in which it nestles.

These are the peaks above Fornet.  Just over the ridge to the left is the start of the Vallee de la Manche back-country run.

i don't know what Snow-Forecast is up to these days but they seem to change the forecast every five minutes.  First we were going to have a 3rd of a meter of snow this week at 1700m, then it went up to half a meter, now it's dropped to about 20cm.  At least the temperature seems to be remaining constant.

Me, showing off the Dents du Midi.

The snow on Fornet was really good today, but we really need a good few more centimeters and a good freeze to lock it in place.  It's been, on average,  about +5C at Avoriaz for the last few days and the snow's been very slushy.  i think they've been running the snow cannons overnight, which they need to do, but it turns the slopes very sugary.  The good stuff is above 2000m but the freezing point, which today was apparently at 2800m, is dropping to 0m Tuesday night, which is more like it.  i'm hoping it gets and stays cold.

Natalie on the Canyon du Pschott.  This is where we found the best snow of the day.