Salomon
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Chamonix? Just visit the NetSki Salomon store!
Chamonix Snow Report: 3rd March 2015
Conditions on Brevent Ski area
Mountain weather is a fickle beast and every so often the blue sky powder days need to be paid for by a resort shutting storm. Frustrating. More so if it's your only week's skiing of the year, but a quick look through a newspaper should soon remind you that things could be worse, you're not living in a war zone or working in a cobalt mine, so you might as well sit in a nice warm pub and have some food with your friends.
With the weather still pretty windy on Tuesday morning, too windy to ski anything too exciting anyway, we headed up Brevent for a look about at what the weather had done to the snow at various altitudes. Surprisingly, things were pretty good. At about 1800m, or the lowest point of the Brevent ski area, about 10cm of fresh snow was sitting on top of the existing base. Not a huge amount for getting powder turns but perfect for freshening up the pistes which had been nicely groomed and were giving fast, fun skiing.
The only rutted icy patches we were able to find were on the BMW slalom piste, not much you can do about that really. As ever there were folk asking if the signs stating the home run was closed due to lack of snow were correct. They are, there are large sections with no snow at all lower down, and large wet slides have crossed the piste at several points. A reminder if ever you need one that when pisteurs say a run is closed due to avalanche danger, they might just mean it!
With both the top gondola and the Col Cornu chair closed the terrain available was pretty limited, which is probably why the pistes were fairly quiet. That and a fair number of skiers and snowboarders were waiting by the netting for the Col Cornu chair top open. Somewhat surprisingly, a little after midday it did!
As you'd expect from Chamonix, traces started appearing over the mountain quickly, however it was nothing like you get on the morning of a powder day, so everyone had a bit more time to get their turns in. The snow had been warmed a little by the sun, and you had to search out the more easterly aspects to get lighter snow, but with the lack of other tracks even the heavier snow facing south was giving nice smooth skiing.
Looking higher up the hill it was clear to see the wind still transporting snow onto east facing slopes, and there was plenty of evidence of slides on most aspects, some with pretty big debris piles. Stay safe if heading off piste.
For the rest of the week, the weather is particularly tricky to predict just now. The most likely outcome seems to be that there will be less snow falling, more sun shining, and colder temperatures with each day until Saturday, when it might get warmer again. But then, the weather doesn't read the weather forecast, so it will do what it feels like anyway.
Ski Hire in Chamonix
Ski Hire in Chamonix
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Michel Croz
Modern Ski & Snowboard Rental in the centre of town, selling a wide range of gear and clothing. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
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Cham'Sport North
One of several Cham'sport Shops, Cham'sport North is located at the top end of the main high street in Chamonix, and is the ideal option for ski hire if you're staying towards that side of town. Save time and money by booking all your ski and snowboard gear online, and collect easily before hitting the slopes.
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Excelsior
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Chamonix? Just visit the Skiset Excelsior store!
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Ravanel & Co Praz
The shop in Les Praz is most conveniently located at the edge of the car-park at the foot of the Flegere cable-car. All members of staff, including the owners, who are also qualified instructors, guides and national coaches, actively pursue the sports they stock equipment for.
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Stamos Sports
No need to carry your ski equipment around with you! Simply pick it up from the ski shop in resort. You can collect your equipment from at least 5pm the day before your first skiing day.
Ski Schools in Chamonix
Ski School Lessons in Chamonix
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Private ski lessons
Operating across the valley, this world-class team of ski instructors is available at all meeting points in Chamonix.
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Group ski lessons
The perfect choice for group ski lessons in the Chamonix Valley if you're staying in Vallorcine, Le Tour or Montroc, or would like to discover the beautiful Balme ski area at the top end of the valley.
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Group ski lessons
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
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Private ski lessons
This ski school connects snow sports enthusiasts of all abilities with expert ski and snowboard instructors across Europe’s top resorts. With thousands of top-rated, verified instructors to choose from, their private lessons offer a flexible and personalised learning experience.
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Group ski lessons
This ski school welcomes everyone from beginners to experts in group classes.
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Group ski lessons
Operating across the valley, this world-class team of ski instructors is available at all meeting points in Chamonix.
Airport Transfers in Chamonix
Transfers for Chamonix
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Private and shared airport transfers
This company offers private and shared transfers from Geneva Airport to Chamonix, nearby areas, and resorts across the Alps. With great value fares on all journeys, it’s an easy way to save money.
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Mont Blanc Transfers
This company provides private transfers in fully electric vehicles around the Chamonix valley, operating from airports and train stations to the ski resorts.
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Private and shared airport transfers
This company offers two great value shuttle services as well as a private service from Geneva and Lyon Airports to the Chamonix Valley. Established and efficient - you can rely on them.
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Private airport transfers
The Loyal Transfers team has been organising airport transfers to ski resorts around France since 2012. Their aim has always been to make independent travel to ski resorts cheaper and easier for everyone.
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Private airport transfers
From the airport to the slopes, they handle the rest. Geneva's most trusted private ski transfers.
Winter Things To Do in Chamonix
Wintersport Things To Do in Chamonix
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Snowshoe Guided Walks
Explore the fantastic natural scenery around Vallorcine, Le Tour and Montroc by going off the beaten track on snowshoes!
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Guided Snowshoeing
Off-piste snowshoe outings where you can discover the charm and serenity of the Chamonix Valley on foot.
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Guided off-piste Vallée Blanche
Chamonix Mont Blanc Guides specialise in high mountain guiding, skiing and alpinism. Based in the Chamonix Valley, at the foot of the Mont Blanc range, they have all the experience and expertise to make your dream adventure become a reality.
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Helicopter tours
A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
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Mer de Glace glacier hike
Experience one of the best known glaciers in the Alps, safe in the hands of an experienced local guide.
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Heliskiing/boarding
For backcountry adventures, this independent company operates in and around the following three heliski destinations: Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass. They have pioneered 32 drop zones within these three broad valley regions giving you a huge choice of terrain, snow conditions and mountain orientation to ensure you have a day best suited to your ability and preferences.
