Tony Crocker":3t613cd3 said:
I posted extensive reports and pics from my trip last February at
http://216.250.243.13/discus2/discus.pl ... 08&page=23.
In terms of pure skiing, Grands Montets is the standout. Brevant/Flegere and Courmayeur have sun-exposure issues, so keep a close eye on weather reports when deciding where to go. Sometimes the French side of Mont Blanc is cloudy and the Italian side sunny or vice-versa (we saw one day of each).
My impression is that guides are required on Vallee Blanche. Organize your group, as the route you take will be determined by the ability of the slowest skier. Again watch the weather reports, as your guide will want to reserve a good Aiguille-de-Midi tram time in advance, and it will definitely be cancelled if the weather is bad.
I second Patrick's comments about guides. If you're an advanced skier, you need to have one to take advantage of the amazing off-piste possibilities.
A few comments to add to Tony's. Tony has some great pictures posted in that report.
I skiied in Chamonix on March 27-28-29, 2003. Skiied one day in Courmayeur, Italy in 1991.
First Day: Brévent/Flégère: beautiful sunny day. Skiing back to bottom of valley floor was finish for the season (two access trails). Nevertheless, the rest had wonderful snow conditions (soft, but no bare spots). Avalanches closures in the afternoon closed a few places down (the temps were up to something like 15-20c/60-70f). Many couloirs all over the place.
Second Day: Planned guided run on la Vallée Blanche was canceled that morning. First cancelation in 2 months which was probably a record year for good weather. Clouds and rainning. I decided to head for Grands Montets. From 9 to 1, it was pouring rain and snowing heavily above 2300m. White out and fog. Unfortunately, 80% of the lenght of my runs were under that 2300m line. Things started to clear up after lunch, so I could actually see were I was skiing. I kept my last run and waited to see more for the top tram (5 euros per trip). Wonderful run top to bottom (3200m to 2000m). Ah yes, there was some powder you there. The ski out run (artificiel snow) to Argentière was still open. Conditions would be similar to late spring in the East (example: Sunday River on May 1st).
Third Day: Beautiful day for la Vallée Blanche. We were about 6 in our group. We took the classic trip which is the long way around le Gros Rognon - about 20km from 3800m to 1700m. The skiing all the way down to Chamonix (1000m) rarely happens now a days. It happened a few times in 2003, which was a good snow year, for the first time in a few years.
My only guided day was on the third day. I showed up alone in Chamonix, you don't necessarly need to be a group of skiers, they will group you up. The guide said that next time (even if alone) to inform them that you are looking for a steeper run and they can fit you in with a more advanced group for a more advanced trip. However, regardless how easy the classic tour is (you need a guide unless you know the places) there are crevasses hidding everywhere and the trip easy or not (for an advanced skier of course), it is well worth it.
About Courmayeur:
Skiied one day in Courmayeur, Italy in January 1991. Great mountain a bit of everything. I don't recall the sun-exposure being a issue, if I recall correctly the orientation of the runs were more north and east side of the mountain.
If you want a dirt/cheap place to stay: Le Chamoniard Volant (or some thing like that). A hostel full of great skier at only 12euros a night (9 for the dorm).