Sublime weather returns to Méribel during Christmas week

Although the texture and the sound of frozen wet snow (ie, a little ice) on the lower part of the mountain took a while to get used to during the morning of Christmas Day, it has been generally agreed that this snow is much improved compared to the wetter texture in previous days. Some pistes that have been really enjoyable the last couple of days include Blaireau, Choucas, Faon and Roc de Fer in the Tougnete sector. And the epic Creux piste popping over into Courchevel yesterday was fabulous in the morning. In fact, most pistes first thing in the morning are skiing really very well.

The temperature is dropping just about enough for the snow cannons to give a nice squirt overnight. This gives a lovely thin layer of clean grippy snow over well-groomed pistes for those that have been prepared and, with the sun now shining, the morning skiing is very pleasurable indeed. However, during the afternoon some pistes are developing ice patches, especially the bottom runs coming back down into resort. Gradually, the numbers of skiers up on the mountain will be increasing in the build-up to the popular New Year celebrations. I believe that the higher pistes will continue to stay in good condition with daily grooming.

Sometimes over the festive season, when the firmer snow conditions are present, clients will ask me how they should adapt their technique to cope with the ice. In short, our technique doesn't need to change. What can happen is that our psychological state transforms, due to the sight and sound of the snow, our brain tells us to do the wrong thing. It encourages you to lean up the mountain at the end of each turn, we definitely don't want to do this. The brain wants us to rush the turn, again we really don't want to do this either, even though it is challenging to avoid it. "What can we do instead Martin?" I hear you cry.

If we can aim to stay balanced (or another way of describing this is 'standing') on the outside ski of the turn, it will help us to be more patient with the steering (turning). The tactic that I take on hard packed snow is to stay relaxed and balanced over the outside ski, ride (not fight) the skis over the ice, and then aim for soft snow to turn on. There will always be a strip of soft snow that we can turn on at the edge of the piste, quite often there will be patches or lumps of snow in the middle of the piste as well. It's these patches of soft snow that help control our speed. Failing that, how about avoiding this terrain altogether by downloading on the lifts from mid-mountain? There is absolutely no shame in downloading whatsoever. Why ruin a days skiing by fighting the ice? I hope that doesn't sound negative, it's just that I hear genuine fear with skiers when it comes to skiing on hard packed snow.

On a positive note, I'e had a brilliant week skiing with Neil, George and Jane, alongside my friend, colleague and fellow British ski instructor at the ESF Suzi Saunders. We've skied around Méribel and Courchevel, appreciated the good snow and weather, and also enjoyed delicious lunches at various mountain restaurants. These have included Le Blanchot and Adray Telebar in the Méribel Valley, and also the fantastic La Soucoupe in Courchevel where they cook their meat on the open fire as shown in the photo.

Leading into the New Year period, the snow conditions remain positive, and the weather forecast is indicating that we will enjoy even more sunshine for at least another week. Bring on the sunglasses, sunblock, hot chocolates, photo opportunities and feel good factor.

Read more from our reporter Martin on his website.