Snow & Weather

It has been a very dry past few weeks but winter has returned with big snowfalls in some parts. For those lucky enough to be able to ski there is set to be some great skiing in places this week.

Record winter temperatures have had a devastating effect on snow conditions in many alpine ski resorts.  Chamonix recently recorded its highest February temperature ever.

They’re the best snow conditions in more than a decade. What a shame the lifts are closed and only the hardiest of locals prepared to earn their turns can enjoy it.

It’s been snowing sand in large parts of the Alps and Pyrenees. Check out the pictures from our readers and the ski resorts.

In Italy two skiers have died in separate accidents. There has been another fatal avalanche in Switzerland taking the death toll to 17 this season. Overall in the Alps it is now more than 50 – already half the annual average. The latest incidents follow four deaths in the Tirol over the weekend. 

Huge amounts of snow have fallen in parts of the Alps. Some people have been caught in avalanches, villages were cut off and more snow is on the way. There have been some large spontaneous avalanches. There are some excellent skiing conditions, but it’s highly dangerous off piste.

In Switzerland and parts of France the avalanche risk is now Level 5 – ‘Very High’. The snowpack is ‘extremely unstable’ and the risk will be ‘critical’ in places by Friday. Already in Switzerland this winter 16 people have died in avalanches. There have been further fatalities and avalanches in France. UPDATED

If you’d rather not see pictures of the huge amounts of snow that have fallen, then look away now.   Most ski resorts remain closed and international travel is prohibited, but it does look fabulous for the lucky few able to enjoy it. UPDATED

It’s cold and unsettled in the Alps for the first week of the New Year with more snow for some. We take a look at how it’s shaping up and cast a glance further afield to Japan where winter has hit with a vengeance. UPDATED

It’s looking like a cold and wintry end to 2020 with snow falling in many parts of the Alps. Some areas will see more as 2021 approaches.

Up to 3m has fallen in parts of Italy and Austria.  The huge storm started on Friday and though it has eased, it is still falling in places with a further 1m expected. UPDATED

It’s turning wintry with further snow falling. Some areas could end up with more than 1.5m before the storm passes. The southern Alps is set to do well. And it’s been snowing in the Pyrenees, Scandinavia and Scotland too. UPDATED

It is not a huge amount but after a very dry period it is more than welcome.  Only Switzerland has resorts open to the general public, but others are preparing. UPDATED

Storms have hit the much of the Pyrenees and the southern Alps. The weather has caused some severe flooding with fatalities and people reported missing in the mountains in Italy and France. Snow has fallen at altitude. UPDATED

Our readers and friends out in the Alps have been posting pictures of the huge snow storm that has hit the Alps. Looks more like the middle of winter than the end of September. UPDATED

Up to 1m of snow has fallen in places this weekend in one of the biggest autumn storms on record. It comes as a handful of glacier resorts in the Tirol fire up some lifts with some slopes already open and a Swiss resort is now opening early. UPDATED

Almost a metre has fallen in the resorts of Perisher & Thredbo in New South Wales with more in the forecast. They remain open with Covid-19 restrictions in place. Check out the snow Down Under. UPDATED

More than 1m of snow fell parts of the Alps at the weekend. And to rub it in, some of the resorts with fresh snow would have still been open for skiing had it not been for coronavirus.

There’s great skiing in the Alps with impressive snow at altitude across Switzerland, Italy and Austria. The French Alps are in the most impressive shape and Scotland continues to impress after further major snowfalls this week.

The powder is piling up as the second big storm of the week has swept in. There have been significant falls over a 24 hour period. PlanetSKI reports from the mountains. UPDATED

Large amounts of snow have fallen across the north-western Alps in recent days which is good news for lower resorts such as Morzine, Megève and Gstaad. There are some exceptional snow conditions in Scotland.

The weather has changed with the temperature dropping and snow falling as a series of storms hit the Alps. UPDATED

Snow conditions in the Alps have been mixed but snow is on its way after some very warm weather. There is no natural snow below about 1200m which is unusual for mid February. In general there is a lot of snow and good skiing at altitude. UPDATED

There has been a lot of snow (and wind) at the UK’s main ski resorts this past week, thanks to Storm Dennis.  PlanetSKI’s Scotland reporter has been out on the slopes.

Snow conditions in the Alps are mixed as Half Term gets underway. Most resorts still have plenty of snow at altitude, but mild weather means some low resorts are in need of new snow. UPDATED

The wild weather has subsided and it’s sunshine and powder snow. At least it is in the Aosta Valley in Italy. PlanetSKI is there. UPDATED

Snow conditions in the Alps are generally very good. Some 20cm -70cm of fresh snow fell this week. Another potent storm cycle is set to start on Monday and the unsettled weather may continue in to half-term week. UPDATED

The weather has stabilised after the storms across the Alps with some reasonable snow conditions on offer. It’s looking pretty good with another storm expected. UPDATED

PlanetSKI arrives back in the Alps as the weather changes and more snow is set to fall. Bring it on! UPDATED

Snow conditions in the Alps are pretty good with some welcome fresh snow. PlanetSKI reports from out in the mountains. UPDATED

It’s been dry & mild with no significant snow for weeks, but that’s about to change. In Canada it is so cold that Lake Louise closed. UPDATED

Conditions in the Alps are excellent with some of the best December snow in recent years. Andermatt has 4m.

The weather’s fine for many this week after the big early-season snowfalls. Conditions are good as more resorts get ready to open at the weekend.

PlanetSKI is in Val Thorens in France for its opening weekend. On Saturday high winds closed the lifts, but on Sunday skiing began.

Austria & Switzerland are being hit by yet another snow storm and it’s been snowing heavily in France too. PlanetSKI is in the thick of it. UPDATED