Fresh Snow Is Finally On Its Way To The Alps
4th January 2023
Last modified on January 8th, 2023
It is forecast that the storm will start on Sunday & there could be around 50cm of much needed snow. UPDATED
To say it will be welcome is something of an understatement.
The weather has been unseasonably warm with precious little fresh snow in many places over Xmas and the New Year.
See here for the latest article on snow, posted on Sunday 8th January, that updates this one:
The forecast snow has started and there are indications that up to 50cm may fall in some places.
In some of the main resorts in France and western Switzerland pistes have been closed and the lifts have stopped running.
The high altitude resorts of Les3Vallees, Paradiski and Espace Killy have coped, but the lower ones have had a torrid time.
“After another dry and mostly fine day tomorrow, the much-anticipated storm will hit the Alps on Sunday and/or Monday bringing snow to all regions in varying quantities,” said the alpine weather expert, Fraser Wilkin from weathertoski.co.uk on Friday 6th January.
“Between 20-40cm is expected above 1800m by the end of Monday across a wide swathe of the Alps, with 50cm+ in places, the heaviest snow generally likely to fall at altitude in the northern French Alps.
“The snow from this storm probably won’t be enough to get the lower areas of the north-western Alps that have lost most or all of their snow (e.g. Samoëns, Les Gets) back on track, but it’s a start.”
The key factor will be the temperature – determining whether it is rain or snow falling.
It is unclear at the moment as the rain/snow limit is likely to fluctuate considerably due to milder air always being close by or in the mix, but things are looking hopeful.
Looks like there may be more snow on the way in the Alps #WXcharts 🤣 pic.twitter.com/j0DobPNLRv
— PlanetSKI Snow News (@planetski) January 5, 2023
With the forecast of snow the UK tour operators and agents are reporting a rise in enquiries and bookings.
“Bookings are already getting busier, as customers who have seen the forecast call to book ahead of the expected scrum on Monday,” said Richard Sinclair of SNO.
Here at PlanetSKI we’ll keep you up to date.
Les3Vallees, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Les Gets currently has 4 lifts running out of 49.
Morzine has 5 out of 21
La Clusaz 13 out of 49
Chatel 17 out of 41.
“Despite the weather conditions making winter sports extremely complicated, we are doing all we can to ensure your holiday is a success,” said Les Gets.
Only the following lifts are running
- Chavannes gondola lift with the Gentiane Bas blue slope
- Vieux-Chêne teleski
- Chavannes carpet lift
There are no lift or ski connections to Morzine.
For some images of the conditions in the area check out the web cameras on the slopes.
The lack of snow has made the front pages of newspapers around the world and featured on TV news bulletins.
ITV News has reported from Chamonix in France:
PlanetSKI is heading back to the Alps early next week as the storm is due to hit.
We’ll be reporting from the thick of it next week – were on a road trip to Verbier in Switzerland and then on to Chamonix, Les3Vallees and La Clusaz in France.
We have reported on the recent poor conditions, especially in the north-western Alps:
But people have still been able to enjoy some skiing especially in the southern Alps.
PlanetSKI reader, David McKinnon, is in Montgenevre.
“Montgenevre seems to have some of the best conditions…. We always seem to get good snow here in comparison to the rest of the Alps.”
Image c/o David McKinnon
Another reader, Claire Archbold, has returned from France.
“Just back from Les 2 Alpes, had a great time, the conditions were fine and even had some snow!”
What is wrong with these pictures taken today……no snow! All change at the weekend though ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/vpU9c8KEMJ
— Mürren Lover (@Murrenlover) January 5, 2023
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