Killian Forderounds up the latest snow news
Snow report
The brilliant start to the season continues. Many resorts in the Alps are reporting more snow so far this year than for all of last season. Forecasts for Europe and the US are good, with expected temperatures and precipitation ensuring an even whiter Christmas.
For up-to-date snow conditions, check your destination on www.skiclub.co.uk. Free detailed six-day forecasts are at www.snow-forecast.com. More than 4,000 webcams are on www.snoweye.com.
Kitwatch
With baggage rules varying by airline, airport, tour operator or just bored airport worker, transporting your own equipment to the slopes can be a confusing and expensive affair. Snokart is the smart idea of former Ann Summers buyer and avid snowboarder Christian Williams. His innovative ski-luggage design makes it easy to add to or remove sections, so whether you're packing a helmet, boots and board or just snowclothes, you can be sure it all fits into one piece of luggage.
www.snokart.com.
Resort of the week: Chamonix, France
The skier's ski resort, Chamonix is one of the world's top three resorts - and it knows it. The town of 10,000 permanent residents sits in a steep valley surrounded by huge peaks, including Mount Blanc, towering almost five kilometres high. Tourists have been visiting the area since the 18th century, and the town drips with Alpine history; it hosted the first winter Olympics, in 1924, and still attracts adrenalin junkies from all over the world.
The long valley consists of five main ski areas, linked only by road, ranging from the legendary black off-piste glacial runs of Les Grands Montets to the gentle wooded pistes at Les Houches. The views, both from the valley and the lift-served peaks, are of a scale unique in Europe.
Chamonix can be an acquired taste; the area's lifts, transport system and town layout appear to have been designed with inconvenience as part of the brief.
Just an hour's drive from Geneva, and with an excess of accommodation during midwinter, the town makes for an excellent short-break destination.
Resort height1,035m.
Range1,035m-3,840m.
Lifts48.
Total runs153km.
Longest run22km.
Best runThe 22km Valle Blanche. Billed as the world's longest run, the off-piste route is a fairly gentle glacier meander off Mount Blanc all the way to the town. A guide is recommended.
SnowparksTwo.
Season lengthMid-December to mid-April .
Snow reliability ****
Who goesAdventure-seeking male Kiwis, Aussies, Yanks and Brits, who party hard and get up at first light to be top of the queue in their hunt for fresh powder. Expat weekenders who work in Geneva. Young French families.
ValueAs a working town, Chamonix doesn't suffer from the monopolistic price gouging that other French resorts are guilty of. Bargains in accommodation, food and drink are available .
Insider tipsThe Canadian- owned MBC sustains a great balance of good food, great beers and decent live music.
BookDublin-born Chamonix resident Robbie Fenlon for a nicely paced and expertly guided Valle Blanche descent. www.wilderplaces.com.
AirportsGeneva .
Tour operatorsTopflight, Directski, Crystal .
Special eventsExtend your celebrations with Chamonix's Orthodox New Year festival, January 4th-9th .
Snow report5 for Christmas
1. Kitzbuhel, Austria.
2. Levi, Finland.
3. Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, US.
4. Zermatt, Switzerland.
5. Val Gardena, Italy.
What's on
The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show and Today FM host their 10th annual ski trip from January 31st. This year's destination is the chocolate- box-gorgeous town of Saalbach, in Austria. Bookings and inquiries to Topflight at 01-2401700.
Twin tips
Ryanair's new Dublin-to- Turin winter service is opening up many low-cost options in the quiet, traditional Monterosa area. www.monterosa-ski.com.
Great Outdoors has fashionable ski gear for hire from €59 per week. www.greatoutdoors.ie.
And finally
Still looking for the perfect gift for that snowboarding love of yours that has everything? How about a snowboard version of the perennial board game Monopoly? Enjoy the best North American resorts and runs from the safety of your sofa. It's fully licensed by Parker Brothers and available on www.amazon.co.uk from £49.99 (about €56).
www.monopoly.com.