First Significant Storm of Winter Hits the Alps

19th November 2024

Last modified on November 22nd, 2024

The Alps are seeing large quantities of snow in places and a sharp drop in the temperature. Winter is here! UPDATED

In the Alps snow has started to fall with the freezing level dropping to around 1,400m and so far up to 1m has fallen in places.

There could be well over 1m in places by the time the storm passes.

PlanetSKI’s James Cove arrived in Gurgl in Austria on Friday.

PlanetSKI in Austria. Image c/o PlanetSKI

PlanetSKI in Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

Snow was falling.

He is in Gurgl for the men and women alpine ski slalom World Cup.

See here for a full report:

PlanetSKI arrives in the Alps

Do check later for a further update from James on conditions in Gurgl and elsewhere in Austria.

Here’s the scene at Arc 1950 in France.

Image c/o Arc 1950 TO

Val d’Isere:

So the #snowfall has well and truly started here #valdisere with plenty more due over the next few days! Watch this space! #snowsure #highaltitude #contactustobook #frenchalps #skiholiday #winterwonderland #booknow #chaletholiday #tignes pic.twitter.com/f3dQL9ODa8
— Simply Val d’Isere (@simplyvaldisere) November 19, 2024

Verbier in Switzerland opened its Lac des Vaux area last weekend.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Verbier (@verbier)

Here are some of the latest images from the Swiss resort:

There remains “considerable” risk of avalanche in Verbier and other parts of the Swiss Alps.

Image c/o Swiss Avalanche Institute

It has continued snowing on Thursday.

“This new storm will deliver another 30-40cm (and a bit more in places) across many western Alpine regions, with the northern French Alps and western Swiss Alps,” said Fraser Wilkin from weathertoski.co.uk.

“Generally, the further east you go the less snow will fall, with only a few centimetres due across much of Austria (with a bit more in the far west) and little more than a dusting in the Dolomites.”

On Friday the weather in the Alps has become drier and milder everywhere.

Throughout this week, the heaviest of the precipitation has fallen in the north-western Alps:

Val d’Isère
The 3 Valleys
Les Arcs
La Plagne
Flaine
Avoriaz
The Swiss Alps (except the far south)
The west of Austria (Lech & St Anton)

For the very latest see weathertoski.co.uk.

Over the weekend it will turn milder with a rise in temperatures next week.

Much of the snow at lower levels is expected to melt, however the cold temperatures have allowed huge amounts of snow making to take place.

The ski tour operators and agents are reporting some brisk business, helped by colder temperatures in the UK getting people in the mood for winter.

“With the great snowfall in the Alps this week we’re all getting excited with the phones buzzing with customers wanting to book an early trip,” said the CEO of SNO, Richard Sinclair.

“There’s some great Xmas ski deals available but New Year ski holidays are almost sold out in the popular resorts.”

And lets not forget the Pyrenees.

Here’s Andorra:

LIVE 21.11.2024 ❄️
Les muntanyes de Grandvalira s’han aixecat així: pic.twitter.com/ZQLAUJKvpv
— Grandvalira Andorra (@grandvalira) November 21, 2024

“The early snowfall we’re seeing this year is fantastic news for skiers and snowboarders,” said the Managing Director of Ski Solutions, Ian McIlrath.

“Resorts across the Alps and North America are reporting strong conditions and some are opening earlier than planned.

“At Ski Solutions, we’re thrilled to see the mountains come alive with snow and look forward to helping our customers plan their perfect ski getaways”.

There is also snow falling in the USA and Canada.

We have recently reported on it:

Heavy snow falls in the USA & Canada

Whistler in Canada has seen around 1m of snow in the past week and is opening early.

Whistler Blackcomb has kick off the season as its lifts start spinning for the 2024/25 ski and ride season earlier than planned with the opening of Blackcomb Mountain on Thursday, November 21st.

It is followed by the opening of Whistler Mountain on Friday, November 22nd.

It’s looking good in the USA too:

Snow is in the forecast and just in time for opening day! Take full advantage of your Epic Pass this season with Epic Mountain Rewards. Enjoy 20% off food, lodging, rentals, lessons and more perks to make the most of your trip. pic.twitter.com/g0EDogprNv
— Park City Mountain (@PCski) November 18, 2024

Park City Mountain resort opens on Friday.