Snow Falls in the Alps as Handful of Ski Areas Still Open
6th May 2024
Last modified on May 8th, 2024
Several more resorts closed last weekend, but skiing is still possible. Fabulous Spring skiing conditions continue & it’s looking good for summer glacier skiing. UPDATED
In France Val Thorens, Tignes and Val d’Isere are ending their long seasons with fresh snow and a deep base at altitude.
“Once again Tignes enjoyed a long winter season, 25weeks from pre-opening on 18th November 2023 through to closure on 5th May 2024,” said PlanetSKI reader, David Morgan, from Tignes.
“Despite some end of season lift closures, many pistes remained open, including links with Val d’Isere, until the final day.
“The last week was a typical mix of spring weather including sun, rain and snow.
“Thursday night delivered some 10 cm of fresh snow.
“On Friday peaks, including the Grande Motte, were bathed in sunshine while a layer of cloud hung over the valleys below.
“On Saturday skiers enjoyed the best spring snow of the season.
“The final Sunday saw about 1 cm of fresh on le Jardin du Borsat which was was an unexpected last day bonus.
“Ample snow remains.”
Tignes, France. Image c/o David Morgan.
Tignes, France. Image c/o David Morgan.
Here’s what was open in Val Thorens as it also closed this weekend:
Here is the post from the resort as it ended the season of 2023/24:
AND WITH THAT…
Un grand MERCI à vous tous et à nos 3000 saisonniers pour cette saison 💙 #LiveUnited
Plus que 202 jours avant l’ouverture ⛷🏂⏰ On a déjà hâte ! #WantToSki pic.twitter.com/rnOcORDowR
— ❄️ Val Thorens ❄️ (@Val_Tho) May 6, 2024
PlanetSKI reader Tim Elvin was in the resort.
Val Thorens, France. Image c/o Tim Elvin.
Les2Alpes in France remains open as it started its ‘spring season’ at the end of last month, straight after ending its winter season.
Austria has the most resorts open with several glacier resorts continuing including Stubai, Pitztal, Kaunertal, Hintertux, Kitzsteinhorn and Molltaller.
Zermatt in Switzerland is open with the glacier area also by accessed from neighbouring Cervinia in Italy.
The Swiss resort of Engelberg has drawn the curtain on its season.
Another ski season in the books! 🎿
Thanks for the awesome time on the slopes and in the powdery snow. We can’t wait for next year’s adventures!
Until then, we’ll be dreaming of fresh powder days. 💤
See you soon, ski season 2024/25! ❄️🏔️
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Eine weitere Skisaison ist… pic.twitter.com/BKJiM2oiap
— EngelbergTitlis (@EngelbergTitlis) May 6, 2024
The mountains around Zermatt are busy at this time of year with many ski tourers on the ‘Haute Route from Chamonix to the Swiss resort’.
There remains ‘considerable’ risk of avalanche in and around Zermatt.
Image c/o Swiss Avalanche Institute
In the French Alps too there is avalanche danger with Haute-Savoie, Haute-Alpes, Isere and Savoie all declaring ‘significant precipitation’.
There have been huge snowfalls in April and into May this year.
Some interpret it as a trend, with better conditions later in the season in recent years.
Easter is the traditional end of the season for many resorts and next year it falls late – April 20th.
This year it was three weeks earlier on March 31st.
Fingers crossed there are similar conditions next year.
“With Easter falling so late next winter people will want to book the high altitude favourites like Val Thorens, Tignes and Zermatt, so now’s the time to book your spot,” said Richard Sinclair of SNO.
“You simply can’t beat T-shirt skiing in April!”
Ski areas are looking back at the winter with some of the best snow at the end of the season.
Merci beaucoup pour cette saison magique 🫶🏼❄️
Thank you very much for this amazing season ! #les3vallees #ski #season pic.twitter.com/7vyMqp7YBp
— Les 3 Vallées (@3Vallees_france) May 6, 2024
The current snow bodes well for the start of glacier skiing this summer, with depths good and they will hopefully remain so.
Les2Alpes in the summer. Image © Claire McAteer/PlanetSKI
The task of clearing the alpine passes that are closed in the winter months is now underway with some of the biggest depths in recent years.
Meanwhile over in the USA heavy snow continues to fall.
Palisades Tahoe in California has seen huge amounts:
❄️ 26 INCHES IN 24 HOURS… IN MAY ❄️
Our teams are hard at work this morning getting the mountain ready for one of the best May powder days in recent memory, but some patience will be required as we do expect delayed openings. #SpringSkiingCapital
📷 Blake Kessler pic.twitter.com/vhCKKVhPfr
— Palisades Tahoe (@palisadestahoe) May 5, 2024
We will be updating as skiing continues in places and the summer season approaches, so do check back…
