Environment

4th September 2023

Threat to Italian Glaciers Increases

Climate change means an ‘imminent and irreversible disappearance’ of the glaciers in Italy. Two Italian glaciers remain open for summer skiing.

1st September 2023

Canadian Ski Resort Helps Those Affected by Wild Fires

They are some of the worst forest fires in recent memory. Big White in British Columbia has been offering shelter to thousands of people who have had to flee their homes. NEW

1st September 2023

Snow Falls in Australia After Some Close Early

Several smaller resorts have closed but finally some snow has been falling. It’s been a generally poor winter in Australia, but an excellent one in New Zealand. And as for South America… Wow! UPDATED

1st September 2023

Body of British Climber Missing for 52 Years Identified

His remains were found in Saas-Fee in Switzerland a year ago. It is the latest in a series of discoveries in the Alps as glaciers retreat. NEW

31st August 2023

New Eurostar Ski Route to French Alps

Eurostar has announced a new ski service from London to the Alps via Lille. UK tour operator, Inghams Ski, is among those selling the product with a ski holiday included. It has met with mixed reaction. UPDATED

28th August 2023

Huge Rockslide in French Alps

700 cubic meters of rocks came crashing down in the Mauriene Valley narrowing missing vehicles on a road below. It was caught on camera.

27th August 2023

More August Snow Falls in the Alps

Heavy snow has been falling at some ski areas in the Alps. It follows summer heatwaves with record-breaking temperatures. Cooler weather is now here as Autumn approaches. UPDATED

23rd August 2023

Melting Austrian Glacier Reveals Body of Missing Skier

It is the latest finding as the alpine glaciers retreat at an alarming rate as climate change impacts.

23rd August 2023

Another Major Heatwave Hits the Alps

Temperatures have risen sharply with the freezing level now at a record-breaking 5,298m. It is having a devastating impact on the glaciers with fears of rockfalls. UPDATED

20th August 2023

Canada Wildfires Impact Ski Areas

400 wildfires are raging in the province of British Columbia, home to many of the main ski areas. Neighbouring Alberta is also affected by fires and drifting smoke. UPDATED

14th August 2023

Melting Glacier Above Zermatt Reveals Body of Another Missing Person

The person has been identified as a 63-year old Italian ski tourer who went missing in March 2019. NEW

8th August 2023

Summer Snow in the Alps

Snow has fallen at altitude in the Alps giving a hint of what is to come. Check out the images of the August snowfall. UPDATED

2nd August 2023

Two Hikers in Separate Groups Die in Mt Blanc Rockfall

A Dutch and a French hiker were hit while ascending the Aiguilles du Tour on Mont Blanc. Climate change is making the mountains more unstable.

29th July 2023

More Snow Falls in New Zealand

It had been a poor ski season for snow, but now it has been falling heavily. Skiers and snowboarders are celebrating after a poor start to winter. UPDATED

29th July 2023

Melting Swiss Glacier Reveals Human Remains

It is the latest discovery as climate change leads to glaciers melting & revealing their secrets. This time it’s the discovery of German climber missing since 1986. UPDATED

23rd July 2023

European Heatwave Impacts the Alps & Pyrenees

The high temperatures are taking their toll on the glaciers with record-breaking summer temperatures in parts of the mountains. Some people are heading to the hills to keep cool. UPDATED

12th July 2023

Deadly Summer Avalanches in California

For the past 13 years the US state has seen no deadly avalanches in the summer months. So far this summer there have been two fatalities.

27th June 2023

New Zealand Resorts Re-Open as Snow Returns

Some snow has fallen and resorts are re-opening. The NZ season started well but high temperatures and rain took their toll. It’s better in Australia, with South America looking good. UPDATED

23rd June 2023

PlanetSKI Goes Summer Skiing on a Glacier + Exploring 30m Deep Inside It

We’re making a few turns on the Hintertux glacier that’s open year round if conditions allow. We’re also going 30m inside the glacier exploring its caves & tunnels. It’s all part of our summer tour in the Tirol.

19th June 2023

Swiss Voters Back Cuts to Carbon to Tackle its Melting Glaciers

Voters in Switzerland have backed a new climate bill designed to cut the use of oil and gas. It aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

17th June 2023

Huge Rock Avalanche Hits Evacuated Swiss Village

Millions of cubic metres of rock have fallen. Some boulders landed just meters from buildings in Brienz but there was no extensive damage. The threat of further falls remains with villagers still not allowed home.

15th June 2023

Mountain Summit Collapses in Austria

100,000 cubic metres of rock from the Fluchthorn mountain in the Tirol crashed down the mountain this week. Climate change seems to be to blame. NEW

15th June 2023

Swiss Set to Vote On New Climate Law

A referendum takes place this Sunday on whether to pursue zero carbon. With glaciers melting and the ski season threatened it is expected the country will go for being carbon neutral. NEW

4th June 2023

Higher Than Average Swiss Avalanche Deaths Last Winter

21 people were killed by avalanches, the seasonal average is 17. It comes despite below average snowfall in Switzerland.

31st May 2023

Avalanche Damage in Utah Canyon Revealed as Snow Melts

Little Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City was hit hard by Utah’s record-setting 2022-2023 winter season. It has left behind smashed trees and destroyed buildings with a changed landscape.

25th May 2023

FIS Appoints Sustainability Director

The International Ski & Snowboard Federation says that sustainability is central to the federation’s mission. The new director is Susanna Sieff. NEW

11th May 2023

Tirol in the Summer

There’s hiking, biking, climbing, cultural activities, relaxing and much more. With something for families, adrenaline junkies and everyone in between. See what’s on offer in the summer in one of PlanetSKI’s favourite winter playgrounds.

10th May 2023

Swiss Village Evacuated due to Fear of Rockfall

It is feared 2-million cubic meters of rock could hit the village of Brienz. As the Alps becomes more unstable other areas are under threat. UPDATED

29th April 2023

Greenpeace and FIS Trade Blows Over Environmental Action

Greenpeace accuses the International Ski Federation of ‘greenwashing’ while FIS says tackling climate change is top of its agenda.

28th April 2023

LAAX Is Pessimistic About the Future of Snowsports Unless Climate Change is Reversed

The Swiss resort says that unless we can cut our carbon output “it’s unlikely that skiing in the alps will be able to continue long term.”

25th April 2023

Which Ski Resorts Are Still Open?

Quite a few places are open & April conditions are the best in recent years. UPDATED

24th April 2023

More Resorts in California Record Snowiest Season Ever

Palisades Tahoe has seen 18.03m, Heavenly Mountain Resort received 14.37m and Kirkwood Mountain Resort reached 17.78m. They are new records for all three resorts. PlanetSKI is heading to California next week.

20th April 2023

Investigation After Two More Skiers Die on Mont Blanc

They were ski touring when a bloc of ice collapsed above them. The authorities say there were 40 people on the route so it could have been much worse. UPDATED

19th April 2023

The PlanetSKI Spring Snow Report

The superb Spring conditions continue but most resorts are now closed. UPDATED

18th April 2023

Climate Change Threatens Ski Resorts

A new intergovernmental report on the climate crisis paints a bleak future. Journalism student, Leonora Ellis, looks at the possible implications for the ski industry.

11th April 2023

Austria’s Glaciers Shrinking Faster Than Ever

Austrian glaciers last year retreated more than ever according to the Austria Alpine Club.

9th April 2023

The PlanetSKI Snow Report

The weather has turned in the Alps with bright sun and then thick snow. PlanetSKI is out enjoying the Spring conditions. LIVE & UPDATED

6th April 2023

Mammoth Snow in Mammoth Mountain

A record breaking 17.65m of snow has fallen in the Californian resort. Which is why PlanetSKI is heading there next month once the ski season ends in Europe. Check out the images.

6th April 2023

Less Snow in Switzerland But Same Number of Avalanche Deaths

That’s the conclusion from the Swiss Institute for Avalanche Research that has published its preliminary report on the 2022/23 season.

5th April 2023

Skier Numbers Back to Normal After Covid

The ski industry bounced back last season with the USA seeing more skiers than ever before, according to the latest International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism.

1st April 2023

Four Dead in Norway After Avalanches

A series of avalanches in the north of Norway have claimed the lives of four people. It is an area popular for ski touring and people are advised to exercise caution under current conditions.

27th March 2023

More Snow in the Alps as Easter Holidays Get Underway

More snow has fallen in the Alps with PlanetSKI in the thick of it with some resorts looking more like January than April. Winter isn’t over, not by a long way. LIVE

22nd March 2023

Lack of Winter Snow in Italian Mountains Threatens Summer Drought

There has been around half as much snow falling as there should have been. This could have severe consequences for the water supply.

22nd March 2023

More Resorts in USA Extend Ski Season

Resorts in California have extended their season after record-breaking snowfall, with some saying they will continue into summer. Once the season ends in Europe PlanetSKI is heading out to the USA. Look out for our reports in mid-May. UPDATED

20th March 2023

PlanetSKI Snow Report

Mild conditions predominate in the Alps & the Pyrenees, but there’s snow in the forecast. LIVE & UPDATED

17th March 2023

Val Gardena Receives Sustainable Tourism Recognition

The resort in the Dolomites, Italy, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

14th March 2023

The PlanetSKI Snow Report

Parts of the French Alps that barely saw any snow for 2 months have been hit by a series of snowstorms with some of the best conditions of the winter. LIVE & UPDATED

14th March 2023

Avalanches in the Alps

The snowpack is now stabilising after a number of avalanches following the heavy snow last week. In one incident a piste basher was caught and was taken down the slope. LIVE & UPDATED

8th March 2023

More Snow Falls in the Alps

The long-awaited storm hit the Alps with up to 1m in places. PlanetSKI is out in the thick of it as ore snow falls. UPDATED

6th March 2023

Snow Needed in the Alps & It’s Not Just for Skiing

Some snow is finally falling in what is set to be the first decent fall for most since early January. The French Alps went 32 days without any snow falling at all. It’s the worst drought since records began with implications beyond the Alps. UPDATED

6th March 2023

Ski Resorts Close, Transport Hit Hard & People Await Rescue as Heavy Snow Pounds California

Resorts in Lake Tahoe have so much snow they can’t open with some hit by power cuts. The historic winter snowfall continues.

20th February 2023

Human Remains Found in Swiss Alps are British Man who Vanished Almost 50 Years Ago

The bones were uncovered on a glacier in the Val de Bagnes in the autumn. They have now been formally identified as those of a 32-year-old man who disappeared in the area in 1974.

11th February 2023

A Day With A Chamonix Mountain Guide

The powder snow may not be there at the moment but a day out with a mountain guide is always a special experience. And so it proved to be.

5th February 2023

Eleven Dead in Avalanches in the Alps

Heavy snow has led to a series of avalanches. The have been fatal accidents in Austria, Switzerland & Italy.

30th January 2023

PlanetSKI Snow Report

It’s clear skies & sunshine across the Alps and the weather is set to stay the same into next week. UPDATED

29th January 2023

PlanetSKI Spends a Day with the Verbier Piste Patrol

We started at dawn with avalanche bombing and ended at dusk with the final sweep of the pistes. There was much in between, in what was our most interesting days of the season so far.

24th January 2023

Good Conditions Continue in the Alps

Cold temperatures and more snowfall in the Alps are turning January into a great month for skiing and snowboarding. There’s also snow in the Pyrenees, while parts of North America and Scandinavia are continuing to deliver the goods. UPDATED

24th January 2023

How Green is Your Ski Trip?

More and more of us want to do our bit to help the environment, but a trip to the mountains for snowsports is far from ‘green’. Morzine in France, however, claims to be a resort with a conscience, and is keen to promote itself as an eco-friendly ski town. We’re there to find out more.

22nd January 2023

Fresh warnings on Off Piste Safety as Ski Instructor Dies in France

The 57-year old ski teacher died in an avalanche in Les Arcs France. The snowpack is stabilising after the fresh snow of last week but caution is urged.

15th January 2023