It's a great time. Lots of manufacturers have goods to tryout on the ice, so if you're thinking of buying some new gear, you can try various crampons, boots, axes, leashes, etc.
The auction is very entertaining. What's the French climber's name that died in the Karakorum recently? Jean Lafaille? Anyway, he auctioned off one of the axes he used on three of his 8km peak climbs. Donini's a ham.