Alps Hit by Snow & Strong Winds
20th October 2023
Last modified on November 2nd, 2023
A handful of resorts already have some slopes open with more set to follow. The first World Cup events are underway with thoughts turning to winter as snow falls in parts of the Alps & elsewhere. UPDATED
It’s a wintery look at altitude in the western Alps.
Our latest image comes from Verbier in Switzerland:
Image c/o Verbier Tourist Office
Here’s La Plagne in France:
Here’s Val Thorens in Les3Vallees, France:
The glacier area shared by Cervinia in Italy and Zermatt in Switzerland is open for skiing and has had a top up:
Some of the glacier resorts in the Alps that are open have had operations disrupted by the wild weather of high winds, snow and heavy rain.
Hintertux and Stubai opened later than scheduled on Saturday.
The weather has brought some heavy snow at altitude – the first proper snow as winter approaches.
“After an exceptionally warm start to autumn, the first significant snow of the season has now fallen in higher parts of the western Alps, where it will greatly improve skiing conditions on the glaciers of Zermatt and Saas-Fee – the only two western Alpine glaciers open (weather-permitting),” said the alpine snow expert, Fraser Wilkin from weathertoski.co.uk.
“The eastern Alps have seen little if any snow from the latest storm, although this region is actually offering the greatest number of skiing options right now, with up to five glaciers open for business in Austria alone, albeit on a very limited basis,” added Fraser.
The weather has also affected the first World Cup event of the 23/24 season– the Big Air in Chur in Switzerland.
Qualification began a day early and the schedule has been altered as we reported here:
Officials have given the go ahead for the first alpine ski races – GB races for men and women are set to take place in Soelden in the Tirol in Austria next weekend.
We can’t wait for the season to start! Who will join us in Soelden next weekend? #fis #alpine #ski🎿 https://t.co/y0vmtAvy9J pic.twitter.com/H9Nopg9H1O
— FIS Alpine (@fisalpine) October 19, 2023
Here are the resorts offering skiing at the moment (weather permitting):
Austria:
Kaunertal, Soelden, Hintertux, Pitztal & Stubai
Finland:
Levi and Ruka
Italy:
Passo Stelvio & Cervinia
Switzerland:
Saas-Fee & Switzerland
In France there is nothing open.
Les2Alpes was due to open for glacier skiing on October 21st but were forced to cancel it.
And while we are on the subject of snow some has fallen in Scotland courtesy of Storm Babet.
And over in Canada:
Here at PlanetSKI we will be updating as the weather delivers its goods, so do check back…
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