Rapport de neige

A bitterly cold November ended on 16 December when it warmed up considerably and we all expected snow. Instead it rained for a week and at Christmas everywhere was bare except 3 runs in Avoriaz. The situation stayed terrible in January until 24th when it snowed a little, enough to open a couple of runs in Les Gets and a couple more in Avoriaz. No snow cannons didn’t help and the Mayor was sacked in Les Gets for not understanding the situation, whilst employees were paid by social security as businesses floundered. The snow did pick up slightly in February, including one sunny week with good snow cover and temperatures of 16°C, but again, in the busiest week it poured with rain again, before snowing at the end. However, this time the snow was thin, although Avoriaz and the higher resorts had plenty now. It was also warm in March which led to dreadful quality snow. It snowed again quite a lot in April, but far too late to salvage an awful season. Very much a season for the higher resorts and it would take several years for lower resorts to regain their popularity.

Wet snow fell in the village on 1 December, more came later and it was cold and icy. By mid December there was 50 centimetres in the village. However, by New year the lower slopes were almost bare. It snowed lightly the first week in January, but then was dry and sunny for 6 weeks ! during which conditions became poor and led to many cancellations. Strangely, the week where people cancelled there was a substantial fall of snow and good conditions in mid Febraury. However, the following week, the busiest of the season, it rained all week and washed away all the snow. End February and no snow. However, the next week produced 2 metres of perfect snow and the rest of the season went off quite well. It snowed a lot in April. The lifts closed on 16 April at Avoriaz in a blizzard, whilst conditions were still very good. Strange season.