The snow conditions up high (2000m and above), are quite simply stunning, at the moment. After hearing from others that the top of Grand Montets is skied out and covered with sastrugi, we thought it necessary to point out that this is exactly where intimate local knowledge comes into play. As ever, well over 90% of people ski off piste in less than 5% of the available area. On Friday we had a ski touring group and a snowshoe group who headed up to the Refuge d’Ayères plateau above Sallanches. They reported virgin powder fields, untracked slopes, and few other people. What more could anyone want? You can see the photos taken by the snowshoe group at this link: http://picasaweb.google.com/IcicleUK/ChaletDAyRes