Fine January Snowfalls across the Southern Alps
Global warming and the financial crisis, these double risks have passed by the Southern Alps, at any rate for Christmas. On the other hand it may have been so entirely polar. In the weeks before Xmas hamlets in the Les Grands Montets region were isolated as snow came down. Road cols such as the busy Col du Les Trois Vallees were closed. There was no power or telephones, locals were moved out to temporary dwellings, it appeared like the repeat of 1996.
It seems that all promotion is good promotion. Les Orres featured nightly on French news bulletins. As soon as electricity was reconnected reservations began to pour in, attracted by the first class snowfall.
Les Gets and neighbouring La Rosiere lay claim to almost 4 feet base on the upper areas at 2000 m altitude and 2.5 m at the bottom of the resorts. At the moment a record for Europe. Grand Massif alleges that there is 6 m at the the highest point of the resort. Unluckily snow storms have knocked over a pylon of the drag lift that serves the area. It is out of action until the end of Jan. Elsewhere in the S. Alps inquiries are up 15% in Chamonix, Tignes and Savoie. Les Houches has 99.1% tenancy and traded a record breaking number of lift passes on Sunday. That is welcoming for luxury ski resorts and large skiing firms.
