23rd April 2022
PlanetSKI Heads to the Arctic Circle
We’re about to ski in one of the most northerly ski resorts in Europe, Narvik in northern Norway. It is worth a visit for the flight alone.
23rd April 2022
We’re about to ski in one of the most northerly ski resorts in Europe, Narvik in northern Norway. It is worth a visit for the flight alone.
22nd April 2022
We are out in the mountains enjoying the spring skiing. We’ve had some turbulent weather in the French Alps followed by a bonus dump of late season fresh snow. We are also in Norway and Sweden deep inside the Arctic Circle. UPDATED
18th April 2022
Low levels of snow across the Swiss Alps and some generally stable conditions prevailed according to a new report from the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research based in Davos. There were though times of critical danger.
11th April 2022
They were in a party of six in Chamonix, France, with a guide when the avalanche struck. An investigation is continuing. It’s the latest in a numbers of avalanches in the north western Alps. UPDATED
10th April 2022
One was buried under the snow for 15 minutes while the other managed to free himself. 50 people were involved in the rescue operation on Saturday. On Sunday a skier was dug out of an avalanche in Tignes. UPDATED
8th April 2022
The Canadian resort has expressed its deepest sympathy to the victim’s family & friends. An investigation is underway. It comes as three ski tourers died in an avalanche in Norway.
7th April 2022
There are some decent spring conditions at altitude, but it is soft and slushy lower down with the warm weather taking its toll. The temperatures are about to drop over the next few days with some light snow around. PlanetSKI will be in the French Alps this week and inside the Arctic Circle in Norway. UPDATED
23rd March 2022
Significant amounts of snow have fallen across the Alps with some areas reporting well in excess of 50cm. It is very welcome after a prolonged dry spell with spring conditions on the slopes. It bodes well for the start of the Easter break that is getting underway. UPDATED
3rd March 2022
The clear weather and blue sky is back in the Alps after the sand from the Sahara passes. There’s precious little snow in the forecast with temperatures remaining mild. We report from the Austrian Alps and on recent conditions in Scotland. UPDATED
18th February 2022
There is settled and clear weather across the Alps. PlanetSKI moved across Italy from the Aosta Valley in the west, to The Dolomites in the east at the end of last week. Now we have arrived in the Tirol in Austria for an extended stay. UPDATED
14th February 2022
Two men died in Switzerland and others were caught in separate slides in Austria but were rescued. With the busy half-term week underway the danger is ‘considerable’ in places with caution urged. UPDATED
8th February 2022
There are warnings of a continued high risk of deadly avalanches in the Alps with the authorities in the Tirol saying have had an unprecedented number of incidents. The warnings follow the deaths of 13 people in avalanches in the Alps since Friday. The latest fatalities are two young Dutch skiers who died in France. UPDATED
7th February 2022
There has been some fresh snow in parts of the Alps with changeable weather. PlanetSKI is back in the Aosta Valley in Italy where there has been a bit of fresh snow as the half-term week continues. UPDATED
5th February 2022
In the worst incident 5 people died near the town of Spiss in the Tirol near the Swiss border. The people caught were a group of Swedish ski tourers. Investigations are underway into all three fatal avalanches. UPDATED
30th January 2022
There has been some fresh snow in parts of the Alps, but also some high winds in places. PlanetSKI’s main team is in the windy part, rather than the snowy part. Check out the latest… UPDATED
18th January 2022
Many parts are seeing further sunshine and PlanetSKI reports again from the slopes of the Alps. Our teams have been in France, Italy and Switzerland today. Fresh snow may be needed but there is still plenty of great skiing to be had. UPDATED
5th January 2022
It’s not enough yet to allow for extensive skiing and snowboarding but resorts in Scotland are opening some slopes. They hope they’ll soon be able to open up more terrain. UPDATED
5th January 2022
It’s sunshine all the way across most of the Alps. It’s been cold but now it’s turned milder and there’s no sign of any significant snowfall in the forecast. UPDATED
30th December 2021
The warm weather in the Alps is finally set to change with a cold front approaching from the North. It is bringing some snow. In North America after record snowfalls and plunging temperatures the sun is finally making an appearance. UPDATED
20th December 2021
Record amounts of snow are falling in parts of the USA with temperatures dropping to -30c in some Canadian ski resorts. In Europe it is the opposite with mild temperatures and rain at lower levels in some resorts. UPDATED
13th December 2021
Scotland’s ski areas have begun firing up their lifts at the start of the winter season. There’s some good skiing and snowboarding to be had. PlanetSKI has been on the slopes.
6th December 2021
The season of 2021/22 is getting off to a cracking start with storm after storm rolling through. The latest storm has seen around half a metre in places. And one of those places is Les Menuires, where PlanetSKI is for a week long stay. UPDATED
5th December 2021
Eleven people were skiing off piste in Salzburgerland when the accident happened. Eight of them were caught in the slide. Two were injured. The authorities are urging caution after fresh snow falls on an unstable base. UPDATED
30th November 2021
Up to 1m has fallen in places with more coming. It has been a very welcome snowstorm and has set up many resorts with some opening early. As December starts it is just what we’ve all been hoping for with snow in the Alps & the Pyrenees. UPDATED
21st November 2021
Conditions have been about average for the time of year – so far. Some areas have good snow, but it’s been warm & more snow is needed. That situation is now changing… UPDATED
12th November 2021
Verbier in Switzerland and Hochgurgl in Austria opened last weekend. In North America Vail & Breckenridge in the USA have opened some slopes with three resorts around Banff in Canada also now open. Check out the opening day videos…UPDATED
6th November 2021
Two big snow storms swept across the Alps last week leaving up to 70cm of fresh snow in places. It is an excellent start to the winter ski season with many hoping it is taste of what’s to come. UPDATED
3rd November 2021
In landlocked Switzerland temperatures are rising faster than in regions that benefit from the ocean’s cooling effect.The glaciers are under threat as world leaders meet for COP26 in Glasgow.
1st November 2021
November has started with some excellent snow across large parts of the mountains. 19 resorts already have some terrain open in Europe with more opening this weekend. There are a handful of resorts open in the USA. PlanetSKI looks forward to being out in the Alps later this month. LIVE & UPDATED
27th October 2021
Three resorts in California have fired up some lifts after more than half a metre has fallen. There has been snowfall across some other ski states with another resort in Colorado opening at the weekend. UPDATED
18th October 2021
More resorts opened in Austria and Switzerland at the weekend. 19 resorts in the Alps are now offering some skiing and snowboarding. The start of the ski season of 2021/22 continues. UPDATED
13th October 2021
Skiing and snowboarding have started in Tignes. In Italy Cervinia has also begun its winter season this weekend with more resorts opening in Austria. 14 resorts in the Alps have some glacier slopes open with skiing starting in the USA too. UPDATED
11th October 2021
Wolf Creek is first out of the blocks and opened on Saturday 16th. On Sunday Arapahoe Basin followed suit. Loveland and Keystone in Colorado have also been snow making but say they will open later in the month. UPDATED
2nd October 2021
Three more glacier resorts open some slopes this weekend as heavy snow falls. It takes the total to eleven glacier areas open in Austria, Italy and Switzerland with two in France opening later this month. There’s also been some decent snow in Colorado, USA. UPDATED
6th September 2021
All the ski resorts are now able to reopen as the lockdown is eased. Hundreds of skiers and snowboarders were out on the slopes making the most of decent Spring snow conditions. UPDATED
23rd August 2021
Some areas in Chile and Argentina have seen over 1m with ski areas that had been forced to close for lack of snow re-opening for the final month of the season. UPDATED
17th August 2021
The country has gone into a snap lockdown so it will be a few days before people can enjoy the conditions. It follows heavy snow last week and there are set to be some of the best conditions of the winter. UPDATED
12th August 2021
People who discover archaeological relics revealed by retreating glaciers in the Swiss Alps can now use a new app to log the location and help preserve their findings.
10th August 2021
Parts of the Andes are seeing little fresh snow according to a report from the Reuters news agency.
10th August 2021
50cm has fallen in some areas with forecasters predicting up to 1m in places. The season has been hit by Covid-19 international travel restrictions but for the lucky ones it is quite a winter. UPDATED
22nd July 2021
Scientists say the glaciers are melting at ‘worrying rates’. The temperature at 3,000m is 6 degrees above average with large amounts of ice melting. Glaciers are melting at alarming rates across the world. UPDATED
6th July 2021
The warm weather has been blamed on climate change, but the temperatures have now dropped with more ski areas opening.
12th June 2021
It is one of the best starts to the season in recent years in Australia with resorts opening across New South Wales and Victoria. There are some limits on people’s movement in Victoria due to Covid-19, but resorts are opening. In New Zealand the season has kicked off too.
27th May 2021
It’s June but snow conditions in the Alps are exceptional at altitude. With several resorts open and more due to open soon, there is some great skiing and snowboarding for those lucky enough to get on the slopes. UPDATED
7th May 2021
Scottish ski tourers have been out in force on Cairngorm, making the most of what will probably be the last significant snowfall of this winter. PlanetSKI’s Scotland reporter Rod Frazer was among them.
2nd May 2021
Last season saw 36 deaths in the USA – the most in 11 years. The winter before the total was 23. A highly unstable snowpack was the main cause.
16th April 2021
Covering glaciers with tarpaulins reduces melting by as much as 60% but is too costly to use on a large scale, according to a Swiss research study. A separate report warns that the temperature of the Swiss permafrost is continuing to rise.
8th April 2021
The return to winter weather has brought a dusting of hope for those desperate to slide around Scotland’s summits. There was more snow over the weekend as temperatures fall. Graeme Wallace reports for PlanetSKI.
5th April 2021
The Alps is being hit by a distinctly cold spell after the recent warm weather. Up to 50cm of snow is forecast in places and could provide some excellent Easter skiing for those lucky enough to be able to enjoy it. PlanetSKI is in the Swiss Alps.
29th March 2021
Scottish Government rules mean the earliest the nation’s mountain resorts can open is 26th April, but rain and mild temperatures are threatening what has been an exceptional snowpack this winter.
12th March 2021
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.
3rd March 2021
Record winter temperatures have had a devastating effect on snow conditions in many alpine ski resorts. Chamonix recently recorded its highest February temperature ever.
17th February 2021
It’s rare to be able to ski to your front door in Scotland, especially when living far away from the Highlands. But hundreds of people have been doing just that. Even as the big thaw begins, it’s looking good for spring touring, as PlanetSKI reader Graeme Wallace has been finding out.
8th February 2021
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.
6th February 2021
It’s been snowing sand in large parts of the Alps and Pyrenees. Check out the pictures from our readers and the ski resorts.
4th February 2021
Heavy storms are leaving more snow on a very unstable and weak snowpack. It has been a record season for avalanche fatalities in the US with 26 deaths. Conditions remain extremely dangerous across large parts of North America.
1st February 2021
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.
29th January 2021
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.
28th January 2021
A 50-year old man out walking in the snow with his family in Val d’Isere was dug out after 2 hours and 40 minutes under the snow after an avalanche hit the group. He was located by the signal from his mobile phone.
28th January 2021
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