A FAB season draws to a close

WOW!!! There is no other word for it (well, maybe AWESOME, but I'm British and we usually don't say that). This winter season in the Alps has been amazing. We've had so many sunny days, it's incredible there was any snow under raquette. But there certainly was and this is because firstly it snowed an AWFUL LOT in December and then it was VERY COLD for most of January and February. Result? Brilliant conditions and relatively little danger.

I've just finished two fantastic weeks, one in the Giffre Valley in th French Haute Savoie where we found excellent conditions somewhat against the odds given the relatively low altitude and very hot temps, the other in the Swiss Val d'Anniviers where we spent two nights in a hut at 3000m so were pretty sure of snowy slopes, but nevertheless the warm and windless conditions gave us 6 superb days of snowshoeing. I also continue to have the Very Best Clients (who quickly become my friends) in the world - thanks guys for being so much fun.

After hard climbs up we were lucky enough to find good snow for some wild descents, for those that like that sort of thing:



 

Incredibly, given the good snow, the mountains were deserted. Where is everyone? It is always the case that on snowshoes you can find solitude in the hills but lately it's been really difficult to find anyone to say "Bonjour" to!

Over the last 21 years I have fallen in love with snowshoeing. But this last season has increased that passion and convinced me that snowshoeing is The Business, The Future. Come and see if you don't believe me. In fact come and see whether you do or not!

Meanwhile let these shots tell the story. And I just hope winter 2013 will be as good as this one.