Thread: AVORIAZ - my opening day for this season

When I pulled out of Geneve at 7:30 Sunday AM it started raining. Worrisome, but I continued on to Avoriaz.

From the base of the telepherique you could see clouds of fog rolling over the cliffs and feel the mist on your face. Upstairs it was dryer, for a little while... It was a gortex day and I was ready for it. I upgraded my pants to gortex last season and have 2 sets of gortex gloves. Thank goodness that I brought the right jacket (gortex, also).

Only Arare secteur was open. But, plenty of elbow room. No lift lines. No new snow during the day, too warm. The pistes were well covered by Thursday's storm. The snow was heavy and humid and got thicker as the day went by. Reminded me of that Sierra Cement I have skied at Tahoe. The lift brought you in and out of the fog banks and ended with high winds and mist. The descent went through cloudy mists to dry conditions, but never any rain so people were still arriving when I left at 2PM.

Not the best day (Saturday was the better day), but a great opener for me and my gear. Everything checked out. Though my highs are out of shape, in spite of the mountain hiking every weekend this fall. But, I was there and on skis. Next weekend Avoriaz!

Turns, you gotta turn 'em. LITT

Good stuff LITT! What about the nearby resorts. Are they up and running yet?

Any plans to hit Cham soon? That's actually closer to Geneve than most resorts in the Valais.

Glad you got on it! Sorry, I couldn't make it, I was destroyed from Saturday at Saas Fee. I'm still feelin' it (and it feels goood!).

I'll post some pics later today.

Originally posted by Punani
Good stuff LITT! What about the nearby resorts. Are they up and running yet?

Any plans to hit Cham soon? That's actually closer to Geneve than most resorts in the Valais.

Can't answer your question about open resorts. It is early, but some ski stations have opened their highest elevations and/or north facing slopes. Anything facing south has been burned off. I know Verbier has opened the highest elevations. Saas Fee got mentioned by Ripsalot. Not sure about Cham. I don't follow what is happening in Central and Eastern Switz.

Official opening day... if it snows!!! ...for many ski stations is 13th or 20th. But, we need some cold temps and 60cm of snow for that to happen.

No plans to hit Cham. I would like to hook-up with someone who has been and get the tour.

Actually, Les Portes du Soleil is closer to Geneve and I can hit it in 1h30m. Either the Swiss or French sides. So, I decided to purchase the "passporte du ski" for Les Portes. The area is large enough to keep me busy until May. It includes 5 massifs w/ 12 ski stations. Most are interconnected so you can move from one to another and back again. My guess is if you took the Tahoe area ski areas, and included Kirk, Boreal and Sugar Bowl you would come up with a similar size and variety of terrain. It is frightening. www.portesdusoleil.com

There is an abondance of riches over here. Just need the snowfall to make the magic happen.
Turn until you burn! LITT