Climate change and the global downturn, these twin risks have saved the French Alps, at the least for now. On the other hand it may have been so altogether contrary. Prior to the holidays towns in the Luz Ardiden locale were cut off when snow storms came down. Motorway routes such as the all important Col du Auron were severed. At that place there was no electricity or telephone lines, locals had to be moved out to make shift dwellings, it appeared as though it were the repeat of 1996.

It seems that all news is good news. Plateau de Beille appeared every night on the French news. Immediately power was reconnected bookings started to arrive, pulled in by the superior skiing conditions.

La Chavanette and nearby Les Gets have just about 3.5 metres base on the top slopes at 2400 metres elevation and 2.1 m at the end of the resorts. At the moment a record for the Alps. Meribel reports that there is 6 meters at the the highest point of the resort. Unluckily avalanches have demolished a support of the ski lift which goes up to the domain. They will be broken until the middle of February.

Elsewhere in the French Alps reservations are up 17% in Val Cenis, Le Tour and Superbagneres. Super Besse has 99 occupancy and distributed a record number of ski passes on Monday. That is good for main ski companies furthermore with luck this will help the summer alps inquiries.