Au revoir La Plagne

This last week has been a great one with blue bird days and fresh snow at the beginning and the forecast rain politely holding off day by day so as not to ruin what’s left of our season. It’s still great fun out there, the mountain is deserted and the snow’s holding up nicely, it’s getting slushy for sure but it’s definitely not melted away just yet. There’s still a decent depth up top and although several of the outlying runs are being steadily roped off, the large majority of the piste map is still open for your enjoyment! 

In previous seasons by this point we had given up on skiing all together, the mountain usually turns bare and brown, the snow has all gone and we switch skis for sun bathing. One year by April we were playing basketball on the court under the Colorado, but not this year. Nope this year the snow has done its self proud; after a slightly slow start it has snowed regularly and heavily since January keeping the off piste beautiful, the runs nice and fresh and the lower villages in great condition. We’ve had a great snow season, it’s been powder central here and although that may have meant a season of white-outs, a distinct lack of blue sky days and more than one outdoor après that got snowed off, I think that’s a fair trade don’t you? Last year was all blue skies and outdoor band sessions but where was the snow ey? Where was it? I know which way round I prefer it. 

So for the last day tomorrow I’m rounding up a posse and heading out to make the absolute most of it, I think the plan is to cover as much ground as humanly possible in La Plagne and Les Arc too as a fitting goodbye session, I’m prepared to feel some serious leg burn by the end of the day. I’m also prepared for it to feel more like mid-February than April as quite ridiculously its due to snow again tonight, and again tomorrow and Sunday and on and on after the lifts close. The temperature is dropping back down and the sun is hiding its self away again. If things go according to the forecast then I don’t think we have a choice; cancel the flight, keep the lifts running and let’s all stick around for one more week! Who’s with me???

Seriously though I’m always sad to leave at the end of the season but this year is going to be harder than usual. The conditions have been so good and I’ve had so much fun in these last two weeks that with fresh snow still falling it just doesn’t feel like it’s time to leave. But alas all things must end and it’s time to head home. I would like to thank a few people who’ve made this season so much fun, starting with Ray, Andy and Stu who have each squeezed in three ski holidays this season whilst managing to hold down real jobs, nice work guys. Paul who sought me out in Scotty’s bar to tell me he reads these snow reports, cheers Paul, keep using the snow slang you’ve learnt. Big thanks to Ben and Jamie who let me regularly steal their photos for these reports and to Jessica, Hayley and Emma who have modelled beautifully in many, many of the pictures. Thanks to everyone I’ve lived, worked, skied and drank with this season, I hope to see you all back out here next year one way or another, and a big giant massive thanks to La Plagne for being my Alps home away from home and for coming through for us with the snow this year. 

Winter 15/16 you’ve been awesome! Everyone enjoy your last day tomorrow and then prepare yourselves because the countdown begins anew; winter 16/17 get ready for us!