We are right in the middle of peak season at the moment and all the resorts are extremely busy with crowded pistes and lift queues. This is definitely a good time to go ski touring. Last week I did 2 tours. Firstly the Aiguillette des Houches, a nice peak at the entrance of the Chamonix valley. You can drive up to a roadhead and put you skins on pretty much straight from the car. No queues to grapple with and generally no people. In 2 hours of ascent we saw 4 people all on snowshoes, and on the descent down the north facing couloir, no one. The couloir was a real bonus, despite no new snow for nearly 3 weeks, there was still fresh tracks to be had. Probably only 20 or so people had been down it in all that time.

Later in the week I went to Les Contamines to do the Col du Cicle. This is again a shady spot that holds good snow conditions, this time hardpack grippy snow. The difference between the touring and the resort itself was startling. You use the lift system to get to the start point of the tour, and even after the peak morning rush their was queues. But as soon as you drop of out of the ski area, no one. A true delight.

If you can put up with the busy resorts, half term peak season is a good time for touring. Snow conditions are generally good, and as it is a family orientated time of year, there are few people out touring.