Conditions Report from Thursday, April 30, 2026
So long, April.
You were kind to me.
Now we revel ski season’s final days, enjoy the last moments, and soak up the small things, for we know that this romance was doomed from the start.
It won’t be long now.
It won’t be long until we are reminiscing on the days of the Chairlift from our hot summer afternoons, sweating from the heat of the brutal sun as we walk outside or get hit with the burning exhaust from barbecues and grills while our friends ask us “how our winter was.”
It’s these terminal days of the winter I often enjoy the most, because once the snow melts we’ll have to find other ways to escape the tyranny of living.
Cloudy and sunny at the same time at Grand Montets. | Photo: Martin Kuprianowicz
Last week the snow got sticky after a certain point in the afternoon.
But that was merely a phase.
Yesterday when I arrived to Grand Montets, delighting in the spoils of French Alps living by arriving at a cool 1 pm, weather sunny and kind, the snow had ripened to the perfect consistency.
It was slushy and you could splash around full speed without it grabbing at you or slowing you down except for on flat take offs to side hits and also the groomer back to the Bouchard Gondola at the bottom.
Those side hits man…
A beautiful day. | Photo: Martin Kuprianowicz
There’s nothing like maching down the slope full speed and full charge, 2,000 feet top to bottom, barely holding on, eating up every bump and jump and side hit that comes your way, while keeping your head cool, your vision focused, and your skis ripping, sliding into the gondola loading area sideways, smoke trailing, sparks flying, totally beaten and battered and legs in a wreck, huffing and puffing and yelling in ecstasy because you weren’t sure you were going to make it without stopping.
That is a good feeling.
I started the day by loading the Herse chair which was flirting with clouds; big gray and white puffs of moisture allowing the occasional pocket of sun to illuminate checkered patterns of light and shade on the mountain side, giving the entire resort the appearance of some spotted animal, like a giant cow.
I found a flow of side hits and little things to throw butter tricks on, as well as rollers in the middle of groomers that could launch you all the way to the bus stop.
I lapped that a few times, almost killing a family of 3 at one point.
They were stopped on the blind roll over of a jump, seated, taking a rest and enjoying the view.
Great spot for a picnic guys.
Moody on the Herse chair. | Photo: Martin Kuprianowicz
I just barely made a last minute dance move to the right and avoided collision and a guilty conscience.
Always check blind roll overs—
Even the places that you think no one in their right mind would be hanging out.
Then it was Bouchard time.
Bigger side hits here.
But one side hit in particular:
Le rock gap side hit.
Half way down the lift line groomer of Bouchard, right under the gondola so everyone can see and over a big 200-meter diagonal ribbon of sharp pointy rocks that vary in size from beachball to boulder, about 5 meters wide.
Someone had crafted a most perfect jump over the rocks.
“Beautiful jump,” said my French friend Zian who works as a ski patroller at Grand Montets when we were chatting about it earlier.
Over the rocks. | Photo: Martin Kuprianowicz
I hit a lap from the top and kept my flow, slid over to the jump, pointed it from the cat track through the semi-sticky slushy snow on the take-off, and prayed I had enough speed.
One Mississippi…two Mississippi…Three…
…As I floated over the rocks and into the landing.
It’s an airy, floaty, big and long jump.
And I can’t help but smile every time I hit it.
It seems as though that feeling is mutual with all those who partake in the pilgrimage over the rocks.
I spent the rest of the day charging around solo or with the occasional crazy old head and their handmade metal and wood and snake tooth ganja pipe and soaked up the sunshine while my legs and lungs worked hard.
4:30 p.m. rolled around and I was thoroughly surprised.
The time flew.
Just like when you were a kid and having fun.
Just like all those clichès about time flying or whatever.
The time warp effect.
Because Grand Montets was just too damn fun today.
But honestly, when is it not?
Weather
5/1/26. | Photo: Skiresortinfo.com