[Closed] bloody alps weather

Not sure what you expected. After spending all my childhood holidays in the Alps, i wouldn't consider going specifically for a riding holiday in June.

September is a better bet but very much depends on how long lifts are open for i guess.

meh, the last week in June seemed like the best option for Chamonix because it's the only week when (almost) all of the lifts are open, and riders aren't banned from the non-dh specific trails. Took a gamble on the weather, but I did actually go so far as to check reports at end of June for the last 4 years and it's been consistently boiling then bar afternoon thunderstorms. So just sh*tty luck! Doesn't matter, will still be great, the forecast is good (though you can't predict Alps weather) and there's a long weekend in Morzine in August and possibly Les Arcs in September to come yet...

just pointless whinging!

I went in September a few year back in snowed and rained all week, been in June several time and it's been scorching. Still that's mountains for you.

Yeah we choose September as its the alot cheaper and sooooo quiet (and last years trip to Sainte Foy was glorious) although it rained twice but after we had finished riding for the day.

I was refering to the Swiss Berner Oberland that is very changeable at the best of times.

[i]i wouldn't consider going specifically for a riding holiday in June[/i]

Slightly strange thing to say IMO... most if not all of the holiday companies offer packages from the beginning or the middle of June. There is a reason for this.

OK so this June, the snow level is lower than usual. You'll still find fantastic riding in Chamonix OR Verbier OR Les Arcs OR wherever else you go...

Not strange Ash just my opinion. I'm well aware of when holiday companies offer their packages.

I personally would be rather annoyed at not being able to ride a certain trail if its covered in snow. September would give you a better chance surely? What can we expect in Sainte Foy in the 3rd week of Spetember, in your experience?

We had snow down to about 1800m in Chamonix last summer (lat July) ... didn't last too long though. Alpine weather is always unpredictable, unfortunately. We were wanting to do some mixed climbing and most of the time it was too windy!

We got caught in a blizzard on August 1st a few years back whilst in Les Arcs, all of us in shorts and t-shirt (it was 30+ Celsius in the valley!). I have a week in July and 10 days in September with The White Room, and i sure as hell wont be taking the weather for granted again.

Watching the webcams in Chamonix this week it's looked distinctly sketch, whole valley just full of cloud, zero visibility/whiteout/greyout conditions! Whoever was planning on riding the Midi might want to abort...

What dates are you there (The White Room) Smogmonster?

Nickegg - im there July 17 - 24th, then going back down there Sept 8th - 18th. Can. Not. Wait.

Its called 'Mountains'.

Rode with Stevo last June in glorious sunshine.

If you want it predictable, don't go to the Alps. Infact, don't go to any mountains, go to Norfolk.

i wouldn't consider going specifically for a riding holiday in June

Weird statement, but whatever, leaves it emptier for everyone else.

Been biking in the alps for 20odd years and you can get all elements every month of the year. June is usually a very nice month, I am sure you will find plenty of riding to do.

We've been 'lucky' every year. Had the odd morning showers but thats it.

First time I went out for two weeks before it rained solid all day long. The day we arrived it suddenly stopped. There were a few pissed off looking people leaving/heading out!!

Predictably inbred

The great thing about the Alps is that every valley is pretty much its own microclimate. It can be miserable in one valley and quite nice in the next.

This picture below was taken while Switzerland was drowning under some serious rainfall. A couple of hours of a drive and we enjoyed dry dusty trails.

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Smog...You leave the day we arrive.

I was referring more to the likelyhood of snow still covering higher trails and the snow melt causing thunderstorms. What was i thinking 🙄

We used to ski Courmayeur loads when the lifts were closed in Chamonix, so there might be the opportunity to take the bus through the tunnel if its really grim.

At this time of year there is no base in most places, the ground temps will be higher and the sun is very strong so anything that does fall will melt like the proverbial snow off a ditch.

I'm not quite sure how snowmelt leads to thunderstorms? But the weather in the Alps should be improving in the next few days and hopefully staying so for a bit (we had the worst May weather - temp. and sunshine hours - in Austria since records began this year!) I had to dig out my "proper" biking waterproof for the first time since moving here which was quite depressing. But (at least around here) the snow isn't so thick so a day or two of sunshine should get rid of it. Otherwise change your plans and go to south Tirol!

Smogmontster - we (four of us) are out with White Rooms the same week as you.

First time in the alps and not bothered about the weather - it is all downhill...

See you out there fella.

You will find very little snow in Ste Foy at this time of year, I have been out there for the last 8 years and all trails are clear. As other posters have stated it can snow at any time of year above 2000 mts but during the summer it has usually gone by the following day.

See you there Ruddy, i'll be there with a mate of mine, we're driving down on the Friday, overnight it somewhere then finish the journey on the Saturday morning, hopefully squeeze something in the day we get there. If its your first time in the Alps, you are for such a treat..we'd always been to Spain previously and thought it was amazing and possibly unbeatable....until we went to Les Arcs. The Alps are simply amazing riding.

Crossed a bit of snow around the Col du Cou yesterday (around 1900m high). We did have fresh snow at that height at the weekend as well.

I wouldn't go on much that's north / east facing any higher than 2000m around Cham / Morzine just yet... i.e. off the back of Le Tour in Cham down to Trient may be a little snowy right now.

Further south may be different.

$hit, that is one of the bits I was most looking forward to

thanks for the info though

still the new DH track at Flegere to play on

Smogmonster - we are also driving down on the Friday staying over in Dijon (cheapo hotel with a bar) and then finishing the journey on Sat. If you need details of the hotel drop me a PM on a_a_rudd at hotmail.com

Been to Spain before riding and from what I have heard it is not a patch on the Alps.

Bring it on..

Ruddy - We're also driving down friday, getting the 4:05 on Saturday morning. Staying Les Houches for the week. 5 guys in an XC90,give us a shout if you see us.

I've heard that the weather the pila side has been warmer so planning a couple of days over that way.

JHW we also picked this week for exaclty the same reason. We'll have fun no matter what.

See you there guys.

Feel a convoy coming on...we will be in a Focus ST and BMW 3 series Tourer

Oh God, not sure i can join that convoy - i'll be in a blue C-Max (wearing a paper bag on my head...possibly smiling at the thought of my 1.6 diesel mpg compared to the Focus ST!!). We havent decided where we're staying - we may just plod on overnight, depends how knackered we are. Ruddy, ygm re Dijon.