Posted on January 22, 2009 - by Rob

Awesome Powder Day

Recent Snowfall : 55cm on Tuesday 20th Jan, 3cm on Wednesday 21st Jan.

Total Accumulated Snowfall 08/09 Season : 180cm

Clear blue skies being the order of the day, no time was wasted on getting on the mountain today.

Yesterday started off relatively clear but afternoon cloud cover reduced visibility with flat light and managed to deter the majority from venturing off piste saving plenty for today.

The extent of Monday evenings snowfall could now be fully appreciated.  Pistes from top to bottom were in perfect condition with all the icy or worn patches covered with a good depth of fresh powdery snow.  Off piste conditions were simply amazing!

Thanks to the brilliant sunshine, nothing was out of bounds.  The only thing hampering fun today was deciding which of the favourite spots to head to first.  The Arare and Fornet areas of Avoriaz are normally first to get well tracked due to their easy accessability, so the decision was made to head further afield over into Linderets and the Chatel Valley.

Les Linderets was busy today with many people taking the opportunity to ski amongst the amazing tree lined runs and to lunch in the Les Linderets base in the many restaurants with outdoor seeting and deckchairs.

From Linderets we headed up the Chaux Fleurie express and immediately into the off-piste leading into the Plaine Dranse.  Superb deep and fluffy powder.  So deep in fact that one of the group got stuck in deep snow and took almost half an hour to make his way out and back onto the piste.

Sufficiently rested, we headed up the Chaux de Rosees chairlift and across into the area known locally as Happy Valley.  Then onto the not so well known Hidden Valley and other favourite spots in Chatel.  Hours later with aching muscles and many pains, we headed home.  All in all, one of the best powder days of the season so far!