In the Alps we currently have more snowfall than has been seen at this time of year since 1987! This week we have two ice climbing groups, and a Winter Intro course running. The high avalanche risk in Italy and Switzerland, has meant that Chamonix has proved to be the best base for these courses, and groups have been ice climbing at La Cremerie and the Left Bank icefalls above the Argentiere glacier. Others have visited the glacier at the Mer de Glace. The Intro group have already summited one of the snow peaks on the Montagne de Loriaz (see photo) on Tuesday. Conditions are not easy, and we are being very carefull about the avalanche risk. In the next few days we are running a Winter Skills weekend, Avalanche Awareness course and another snowshoeing course.