The Weather

This is a high altitude, mountain environment, so weather can be severe & dramatic at any time of year. Picture is the top of the Grand St Bernard, just above freezing, in sleet, in July!! However... I’ve been visiting here for many years, and only twice have we had enough rain to seriously dampen our trip ('85 & '03). It’s usually hot & sunny, BUT, as with anywhere in Northern Europe, it could rain in the Summer. What falls as rain in the valleys, comes down as SNOW on the high altitude passes – yes, even in August! Therefore we won’t always follow the itinerary exactly as published. If we get bad weather, we can opt for lower altitude riding, and save the high passes for fine clear days. This kind of flexibility isn’t always possible with a conventional fixed touring itinerary. Normal summer temperatures in the valley bottom in Bourg are up to 38 degrees Celcius, with perhaps 6-12 degress in high the mountains. We got three days of rain at the start of the July tour, then temperatures were back into the 30s (and building) throughout the rest of the week. I have been visiting Bourg St Maurice, almost every year since 1983. It’s nearly always been hot and sunny for every summer visit, with temperatures from 30-38 degrees Celsius. It’s cooler high in the mountains of course – something akin to a spring day in England. Bourg is in the valley bottom, relatively low at 850 metres altitude, and you certainly feel the heat as you descend from a day’s riding in the mountains. The main swimming pool is open all year round, with the open air part open from 1st July. There are additional pools attached to mountain restaurants, and a small lake further down the valley for sunbathing & splashing around in. You will need your shades & suncream. In 20 years, rain has only been a problem once. (July 2003 saw 3 days of rain / cloud, but it didn’t stop us riding the mountains and doing the day tours, just the views weren’t there) One benefit of a night time shower of rain in these mountainous areas is, you’ll wake up to a fresh covering of snow on the highest peaks – a stunning sight in the morning sunshine.

Went Live : Fri 25th July 2003