Excellent Jan Snowfalls for Most of the French Alps
Global warming and the credit crunch, these dual perils have spared the Southern Alps, at any rate for Christmas. On the other hand it may have been so altogether contrary. In the weeks before Xmas hamlets in the Espace Killy locale were isolated when heavy snow hammered down. Motorway routes such as the crowded Col du Serre Chevalier were cut. There was no mains or telephones, home owners were evacuated to temporary housing, it seemed as if it were a repeat of 1996.
It appears that all promotion is good promotion. La Mongie appeared every evening on French news bulletins. When power was restored inquiries commenced to pour in, pulled in by the fantastic skiing conditions.
La Chavanette and neighbouring La Clusaz have almost 4 metres snow depth on the higher areas at 2000 metres elevation and 2.1 metres at the end of the runs. At the moment the deepest in the French Alps. Portes du Soleil claims there is three meters at the top of the resort. Regrettably snow drifts have swept away a support of the lift which serves the domain. It will be out of action till the middle of January.
In other places in the European Alps inquiries have increased 17% in Auron, Verchaix and Les Orres. Luz Ardiden has 99.8% occupancy and distributed a record number of lift passes on Sunday. That is good news for Ski France and other big skiing businesses.
