1

Yes, we got a very strong winter this year, with a lot of snow.

We unfortunately got many died in the mountain this year (and 2 brits more today..)

For the snow, just depend on how high are the tracks you want to use, because in june it is mainly warm in the area, but there is permanent snow on highest mountains.

2

Gidday mate ... many gites and high mountain huts around Chamonix are not open until late July and the snow on high passes in June will make this an alpine adventure, not a 'walk'.
I'm also looking at doing it this year and to allow an earlier start I'm walking it Nice (Menton) to Geneva, starting it lower (and cooler) and finishing it in Geneva.
From a safety point of view it allows you to gain altitude more gradually and not leap into the high alps immediately.
That said I'm still not looking at starting until the end of July, and even then I'll be carrying crampons and an ice axe ...

Just a thought ...

3

Don't exagerate: start at Menton Caravan in mid-late June and you will have no problem. In July, there may be some snow at the northern slopes leading to the passes in Val d'Isere and in Parc National de la Vanoise and some snow fields at shady places at high altitudes.
GR5 St-Gingolph - Caravan is a trail for experienced hikers anyway and those people are used to hike through snow fields (without an ice axe, otherwise everybody you will cross will think you are crazy).
If you want to do it from St-Gingolph, wait until end June.

BTW: I went twice in late June from St-Gingolph to Samoens: about 5 per cent of the whole itinerary was in the snow.

4

Thanks folks -
I'm leaning towards heading mid June. It sounds Like I'll hit a reasonable amount of snow at higher altitudes, which I'm fine with. I've actually started looking at the altitudes the trail follows - I'm thinking that snow will probably be present at 2000m and above... reasonable assumption for June?
In this case I'll be 30% in snow which is fine by me. I've actually trekked the GR11 central massif end of May\Start of June a couple years ago and the crampons were never put to use :-).