Soft overcoat

Beaufortain: Naturally plenty of snow

Every mountain valley rightly boasts about having a micro climate but the Beaufortain mountain range has a particularity that is worth its weight in white gold.

Despite its modest altitudes, it is the most snow covered mountain range in the Alps

and such assertions are certified by the weather forecasts of "Météo France!

Every mountain range dreams of such a particularity but the Beaufortain is the clear winner. Do not imagine that the Rhône-Alpes summits are suffering from a lack of snow, not at all, but to make sure you can enjoy a beautiful thick covering, it is often safer to rely on high altitudes.

In the Beaufortain range, at less than 1000 m, you can ski on a thick carpet of snow in an authentic and preserved mountain region and with a pair of Nordic skis, snowshoes, sealskins or any other hiking equipment; you can go across large areas completely free of any ski-lifts.

The meteorological observations are quite reliable; they date from the seventies (which mean that a great deal of statistics is available). It was at that time that Météo France created the first network of snow meteorologist observers, who daily do the usual meteorological measurements and some others more specific about snow. They are assisted in their job by voluntary helpers, "lovers of the weather" who share their observations every day.

As a result, it can be stated, with concrete proof, that Beaufortain can take advantage of an "exceptional snow-coverage, at medium altitudes with snow of an unusual quality, from early December to the end of April", as confirmed by Michel Malgrand from Météo France in Bourg Saint Maurice.

The Beaufortain range is one of the wettest ranges in Savoie and its location, just at the foot of Mont-Blanc, reinforces the activity of disturbed modes so that the cold air resists and is blocked in the Val d'Arly, the Doron and the Argentine valleys. As stated by Michel Malgrand the 1000 and 1200 m of snow-coverage can be compared to the one of 1800 and 2000 m in Haute-Tarentaise. »

It is the right moment to take advantage of those 3 complementary skiable areas. It is also the best time to enjoy the charms of Beaufort village (700 m altitude) with its cooperative which produces «le prince des gruyères», as well as Hauteluce (1160 m) with the onion shaped bell tower of its baroque church with Mont Blanc in the background. The village has been listed in the "Monuments Historiques" heritage. Queige, Villard sur Doron with its portways cut in the tuff are also worth a visit... In short, it is a world of rare authenticity with snow coverage of an even greater quality since you ski on pastures free from any loose stones on the surface, even if, when by bad luck, the snow is less thick.