Robert headed out to do a recce of TMB day 1 around the back of the Brevent which had been not reccomended so far this season. He is in preparation for his next guided group who arrive on Monday. This is what he had to say...

Snow at the Col du Brevent microspikes & poles advised
The passage after the Col, still lots of snow, microspikes advised
Looking across to the ladders, now snow free but sections of snow with steep ground below.
SectioSnow from the Breche to near the lift, but easy to walk through.
Not much snow left from the top of the Brevent to Bellachat & Aiguillette des Houches.

To summerise: Microspikes still advisable though as the section just after the Col, and again just before the ladders is quite steep and the consequences of a slide into rocks are not good.