Snow is Falling with More in the Forecast
21st November 2021
Last modified on November 28th, 2021
Conditions have been about average for the time of year – so far. Some areas have good snow, but it’s been warm & more snow is needed. That situation is now changing… UPDATED
The predicted and very welcome snowfall has started.
It is currently just a dusting here and there, but things are picking up.
There is set to be more and with temperatures dropping the snow is falling to under 1,000m in the valleys in places.
There’s lots of snow on the way…….
[this gif shows snow depths from 26th November through to 3rd December]@wxcharts pic.twitter.com/7QxH9r299l— PlanetSKI Snow News (@planetski) November 26, 2021
Here is the ‘snowcam’ in Val Thorens:
One of our reporters, Tord Nilson, is currently in Tignes.
“It’s been snowing all day with super flat light and very windy up top so only a handful of lifts open,” said Tord.
“It’s very cold too, about -8 at midday.”
Tignes. Image c/o Tord Nilson
And Tord has been out with a powder hound.
The temperatures have dropped across the Alps with snow falling down to the valley floor in places.
PlanetSKI reader, Pete Bocock, has been out clearing his driveway in the village of St Ulrich am Pillersee in the Tirol, Austria.
St Ulrich am Pillersee. Image c/o Lindsey Cairns
Another reader in the Tirol is Holger Gassler who is in the village of Nassereith.
Nassereith, Tirol. Image c/o Holger Gassler
It certainly looking pretty in the capital of the Tirol, Innsbruck:
Wishing you all a wonderful 1st #Advent Sunday from a freshly-snowy #Innsbruck 🎄☃️😍
📷: Markus Mair #myInnsbruck pic.twitter.com/pf6eOb6rwT
— Innsbruck Tourism (@InnsbruckTVB) November 28, 2021
Some areas could see up to 1m of snow this week.
“This upcoming storm cycle is welcome news for the Alps, after a protracted spell of mild weather has left most non-glacial ski areas with little natural snow,” said the snow expert, Fraser Wilkin, from weathertoski.co.uk.
“There are some exceptions, such as Obergurgl in Austria, albeit temporarily closed due to Austria’s current lockdown, which has a good amount of natural snow, as do some resorts in the south-western Alps such as Montgenèvre, currently open at weekends.”
Check out the latest on weathertoski.co.uk
The fall in temperatures means snowmaking can get underway in earnest across the Alps.
PlanetSKI was in Val Thorens last weekend for its opening with the skiing mostly on strips of snow on the pistes.
No matter, it was just a joy to be back on skis and on the snow after all this time.
Val Thorens, Image c/o Chris Moran/PlanetSKI
Val Thorens, Image c/o Chris Moran/PlanetSKI
See here for our full report across the weekend from PlanetSKI reporter, Chris Moran.
This weekend in France Val d’Isere is opening some slopes.
‘ @valdisere opens for skiing this weekend #WeWillSkiAgain
📸 @radiovaldisere pic.twitter.com/yUqdlCsnNb— French Mountains (@FrenchMountains) November 23, 2021
One of the areas to have seen some fresh snow is Zermatt in Switzerland.
PlanetSKI reader Edward Killwick has been up on the slopes.
Lets not forget the Pyrenees where snow has started to fall as well with the temperatures dropping sharply.
It is looking promising for a good start to the season next month.
❄❄Jusqu’à un mètre de #neige attendu en montagne ! Faîtes chauffer les c15 ! 😁 👉https://t.co/FaohhfwhMw #pyrenees pic.twitter.com/fOdxtT545a
— Météo Pyrénées (@Meteo_Pyrenees) November 25, 2021
There’s new snow in the Spanish Pyrenees this morning, and snow due in the Alps later this week! @TuixentLaVansa pic.twitter.com/T8eXVGOHJY
— IntersportRent (@intersport_rent) November 24, 2021
A #fontromeu #pyrenees2000 1785m #pyreneesorientales 📷Bowling l’elan pic.twitter.com/TDGj3XuXuZ
— Météo Pyrénées (@Meteo_Pyrenees) November 24, 2021
And what about over in the USA and Canada?
Some resorts in the US have already delayed the openings of their slopes:
In Utah their may not be snow in the air, but there is certainly some optimism.
California currently has some of the best snow in the USA after a huge storm earlier this month meant resorts could open early.
In Canada the best skiing and snowboarding conditions are in the main resorts of Lake Louise and Sunshine Village near Banff in Alberta.
Many ski resorts in Austria are now closed after the country went into lockdown on Monday 22nd of November.
They are allowed to be open as it is defined as “outdoor recreation” that is allowed under the lockdown rules
It is hoped the lockdown will be lifted on December 12th, with resorts opening on the 13th.
This is the situation for ski resorts open in Europe:
Austria – Stubai, Molltal and Kizsteinhorn.
Finland – Ruka and Levi.
France – Tignes, Val d’Isere and Val Thorens.
Germany – Zugspitze.
Italy – Cervinia, Val Senales, Sestriere, Solda, Passo Tonale and Madonna.
Switzerland – Zermatt, Verbier, Saas Fee, Engleberg, Andermatt, Davos/Klosters, Laax, Gstaad and Arosa.
There is limited skiing at these ski areas and operations can be at weekends only.
Do check with the individual resorts for the latest information.
“Snow conditions are set to improve dramatically over the next few days in the Alps, thanks to a major new storm cycle which is already underway,” said Fraser Wilkin from Weathertoski.co.uk on Friday 26th November.
“Whatever the case, the drop in temperature will allow snowmaking to operate at full capacity in all Alpine regions over the coming days.”
Here at PlanetSKI we will be keeping an eye on the forecast snow in the Alps and Pyrenees over the next few days.
PlanetSKI Snow Report © PlanetSKI
