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PlanetSKI Snow Report

It’s sunshine all the way across most of the Alps. It’s been cold but now it’s turned milder and there’s no sign of any significant snowfall in the forecast. UPDATED

The big snowfalls earlier this winter meant many resorts in the Alps were able to ride out the mild weather over New Year without serious damage to the snowpack.

But conditions, particularly off-piste and on the lower pistes, took a battering from the unseasonably warm weather and rain.

Even in the high altitude French resort of Tignes, skiers were reporting ‘crazy’ weather over the New Year holiday, with temperatures of 18 degrees Celsius.

The good news is that things are looking up.

There’s been snowfall across most regions, while in the USA it’s been dumping again.

UPDATED:

Friday 14th January

Wow.

What a day for the re-opening of France to UK-based skiers and snowboarders (the vaccinated ones, anyway).

Look at those skies….

Il est grand temps de faire une pause ! 😎

Posted by Les Arcs on Friday, 14 January 2022

 

“High pressure remains in charge of the weather in the Alps, with today being another day of almost wall to wall sunshine,” says Fraser Wilkin of Weathertoski.

“It will feel pleasantly mild in the sun at altitude, especially in the west where freezing levels will again reach or exceed 3000m.”

Fraser says there’s no sign of any heavy or widespread snow any time soon.

Ce genre de journée aux conditions parfaites 😍 Qui a la chance d'en profiter ? ⛷——————————-We love this kind of day with perfect conditions! Who is able to get out and enjoy it today?!

Posted by Morzine Avoriaz Page Officielle on Friday, 14 January 2022

Wednesday 12th January

“Snow conditions are absolutely fabulous with 40-50cm of fresh powder last weekend and blue skies & cold weather this week,” Alix Ostyn in Val Thorens told us this morning.

She sent us this footage put together by the resort videographer on Monday.

Sunshine ☀️ all the way for most of the Alps this week. We've been sent this footage, filmed in Val Thorens in France on Monday 🙂 Read our updated snow report ⤵https://planetski.eu/2022/01/05/winter-is-back-in-the-alps/

Posted by PlanetSKI.eu on Wednesday, 12 January 2022

 

France has had the biggest share of the recent snowfall but conditions elsewhere are reported to be good too.

And it’s due to stay fair across the Alps all week.

Lech in Austria reported temperatures below freezing, clear blue skies and empty slopes on Tuesday.

Was für ein WINTERTAG! 🤩🤩🤩Ordentliche Minustemperaturen, strahlend blauer Himmel und sehr freie Pisten! Und die…

Posted by Lech Zürs am Arlberg on Tuesday, 11 January 2022

 

“The sun is shining across virtually the entire Alps today, at least above any of the low cloud which is still plaguing some northern and especially western valleys, where the upper limit is around 1200m,” the alpine snow expert Fraser Wilkin of WeatherToSki says.

“Freezing levels will be close to 2000m in the western Alps, but typically around 500m in the east (ie much of Austria).

“Over the next few days, the weather in the Alps is expected to remain mostly sunny but it will turn milder, with freezing levels reaching 3000m in the west.”

Tuesday 11th January

It’s looking rather good in the French Alps.

 

Monday 10th January

One of our regular readers reports from Switzerland first thing Monday morning.

Valais Dude is not the only one set to enjoy a fabulous day on the slopes.

More to follow…

Sunday 9th January

Latest…

Saturday 8th January

Our reporter Graeme Wallace has been out on the slopes of Zell am See, Kaprun and Saalbach in Austria.

Check out his full report:

Graeme Wallace, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace.

Graeme Wallace, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace.

Kaprun, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace.

Kaprun, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace.

Saalbach, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace.

Saalbach, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace.

Zell am See, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace.

Zell am See, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace.

Friday 7th January

After the recent snow across the Alps in the middle of the week the sun is out.

One of our reporters, Graeme Wallace, is in Zell am See in Austria.

Zell am See, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace

Zell am See, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace

Zell am See, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace

Zell am See, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace

Zell am See, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace

Zell am See, Austria. Image c/o Graeme Wallace

“Sunny slopes in Zell this morning,” said Graeme on Friday.

“The snow has transformed the resort with quiet pistes.”

Thursday 6th January

And after the snow, the sunshine.

Today it’s cold and bright across much of the Alps.

Wieder ein Traumtag mit viel Sonne heute. 😍☀️Schick uns dein Pistenfoto in den Kommentaren!

Posted by Zermatt Matterhorn on Wednesday, 5 January 2022

[ Une journée parfaite ] ☀️ & ❄️fraîche !

Posted by Flaine on Thursday, 6 January 2022

Fresh snow and blue sky today! What an amazing day!#meribel / @meribel.net / Les 3 Vallées

Posted by Méribel, Coeur des 3 Vallées on Thursday, 6 January 2022

 

The next few days look set to be a mix of sunshine and snow showers.

The alpine snow expert, Fraser Wilkin of Weathertoski reported this morning:

“Between now and Sunday evening, between 30-50cm of new snow can be expected across the northern French, western Swiss and far north-western Italian Alps (eg 3 Valleys, Portes du Soleil, Verbier, Jungfrau Region, Courmayeur), with 15-30cm across the eastern Swiss and far western Austrian Alps (eg Klosters, St Anton), but little if any snow in the far eastern and most southern parts of the Alps (eg the Dolomites).”

North America

Across the Atlantic, there’s been more snow to follow the record-breaking falls at the end of December.

Colorado’s resorts have received a big dump and there’s more forecast to come.

Breckenridge reported 15 inches (almost 40cm) overnight.

KaPOW! 💥 We got 8” of fresh snow last night—and with yesterday’s freshies, that’s a total of 13” in two days. Who’s getting out there today?!

Posted by Copper Mountain on Thursday, 6 January 2022

 

And this is Steamboat on Wednesday…

Snowstorm

It sure has been coming down… 3" at 5am this morning and another FOOT fell throughout the day. This storm is not messing around and we are experiencing high winds and extreme blizzard conditions along with it. Resort operations may be impacted tomorrow, please check the website and app for the most up to date info.

Posted by Steamboat Resort on Wednesday, 5 January 2022

The heavy snowfall has brought with it extremely high risk of avalanche.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center issued a warning for the Steamboat/Flat Tops and Front Range backcountry zones on Thursday.

“Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist due to heavy snowfall and strong westerly winds,” CAIC said.

“We expect large natural avalanches, and they may run long distances.

“Human triggered avalanches are very likely. Avalanches may break in the storm snow, or break near the ground and entrain the entire snowpack.

“Travel in or below backcountry avalanche terrain is not recommended.”

Wednesday 5th January

A cold front hit the Alps on Tuesday night bringing with it more normal temperatures for the time of year and some very welcome snow.

❄️❄️❄️ #LiveFromValThorens

Posted by Val Thorens on Wednesday, 5 January 2022

[ Surprise ❄️ ] La neige est tombée cette nuit ! 🤩

Posted by Flaine on Wednesday, 5 January 2022

 

Most regions benefitted from the current storm which continued into Thursday.

This was the scene in Val di Fassa in the Dolomites on Wednesday morning…

Neve 05/01/2022

Nevica in Val di Fassa ⛷❄️☃️❄️

Posted by Val di Fassa on Wednesday, 5 January 2022

 

“This morning, the snow is already dying out across the northern French and western Swiss Alps where between 10-20cm has fallen at 2000m with a dusting to as low as 600-800m,” Fraser Wilkin of Weathertoski says.

“By contrast, the snow will linger for most of the day across the central and (especially) the eastern Alps, becoming heavier in the far south-east later.

“So, while storm totals at 2000m in the eastern Swiss Alps (eg Davos, St Moritz) and much of Austria (eg St Anton, Kaprun) are likely to be in the range of 10-25cm, the Dolomites might see 30cm or more by tomorrow morning, with parts of Carinthia (eg Nassfeld) seeing 50-60cm!

“The southern French and south-western Italian Alps will miss most of the action this time around, with just a dusting in Sestriere and nothing at all in Isola 2000.”

Meanwhile, if travel restrictions are keeping you away from the Alps, why not consider a trip to Scotland this winter?

It’s been snowing there too, though not yet enough for widespread skiing and snowboarding.

View from carpark this morning 🏔 Bitterly cold up the hill today please wrap up warm and arrive before 2pm if you are visiting us for sledging. ❄ 🏔🌨 ☃️

Posted by Glencoe Mountain Resort on Wednesday, 5 January 2022

 

We’ll be updating this report so do check back.