More Snow Falls in the Alps
25th October 2023
Last modified on October 30th, 2023
Winter is on its way with autumn snow at altitude in the Alps, and temperatures are set to drop this week.
That will bring snow to lower altitudes.
The heaviest snow has fallen in the western Alps – France & Switzerland.
“Over the next couple of days, much of any lower-lying snow will melt again as a mild Foehn wind sets in,” said the alpine snow expert, Fraser Wilkin, from Weathertoski.co.uk on Sunday 29th October
“This warmer interlude won’t last too long though, with cooler air set to return to the Alps on Tuesday, and the prospect of some significant snow across some of the Alps from mid-week onwards.
“Indeed, current models suggest that there may be heavy snow to 1,500m or lower in places later in the week and next weekend.”
Of course much of it will melt and it is far too early to make any real difference for the approaching winter.
It is still great to see it though.
The latest images we have of the snow come from our reporter in Verbier, Steve Sparks.
He’s been out for some autumn hiking above the Swiss resort.
Enjoying the fresh dusting of snow, and looking forward to the coming winter.
Verbier. Image c/o Steve Sparks.
Verbier. Image c/o Steve Sparks.
Verbier. Image c/o Steve Sparks.
Verbier. Image c/o Steve Sparks.
Verbier. Image c/o Steve Sparks.
PlanetSKI was in Verbier a few weeks back on an autumn visit and we looked ahead to what’s new for the season ahead:
The main snowfalls have occurred in the western Alps with resorts in France and Switzerland seeing some last October snow.
France:
Once again PlanetSKI will be in Val Thorens for its opening weekend later in November.
Our reporter, Simon Wilson, will be reporting on the Opening Weekend and checking out all that is new for next winter.
We have already posyed a few things:
Switzerland:
Austria:
There has been snow in some of the glacier resorts in Austria.
Soelden in the Tirol hosted the opening Alpine Ski World Cup races this weekend.
The women and men compete in giant slalom on Saturday, though the men’s event had to be cancelled on Sunday due to strong winds.
“Due to the extreme wind and with the forecast of even increasing wind for the rest of the day, for safety and fairness reasons, it has been decided to cancel today’s Giant Slalom race in Soelden,” said the organisers.
The race was called off after 47 of 73 skiers had completed the first run.
“The decision was pretty easy, unfortunately,” said the FIS men’s Alpine chief race director Markus Waldner.
“We just double checked with GeoSphere Center in Innsbruck and they just confirmed that the tendency was increasing the wind and not expecting a window, so no chance to complete the first run.”
Lara Gut-Behrami from Switzerland won the women’s race the previous day.
There are a handful of glacier resorts open in the Alps with a couple of resorts open further north in Scandinavia.
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 & Zermatt
Verbier, Switzerland. Image c/o Verbier Tourist Office
“The first snow has fallen and the slopes open next month so we’re counting down the days to the ski season,” said a spokesperson from the resort.
In France there is no skiing on offer.
Les2Alpes was due to open for glacier skiing on October 21st but was forced to cancel it.
And lets not forget North America where Canada is seeing some decent falls.
There is snow down to resort level in Kicking Horse in British Columbia.
Plus some snow in the town of Red Deer in Alberta, 2-hours from Banff, that a reader has sent to us.
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.
In Colorado in the USA some resorts have fired up their snow guns and are preparing to open.
Arapahoe Basin in Colorado opened top to bottom skiing on Sunday 29th:
While in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the powder is falling…
Do check back for an update…
PlanetSKI logo
