The year is coming to an end with major snowfalls in the Alps. This was the sign at the Col des Montets above Chamonix today, but there was no sign of the road. It was buried under a metre of snow, and is closed indefinately! The heavy snowfalls of the past week are likely to bring classic routes such as the Vallée Blanche into condition within the next week or so, but as ever after so much fresh snow, extreme caution must be taken for the next few days to allow time for the snow to settle and for the avalanche risk to decrease. Still, the snowfalls are great news for all those on our off piste and ski touring courses in 2010. Happy New Year from us all in Chamonix!