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The Alps Snow thread Season 2013-14


J10

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Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

Morning,

Piste already for this weekend. A dream in white !. Neilson Ski offer holidays to this secret winter wonderland.

Cpost-3489-0-95076800-1385547709_thumb.jp

Edited by carinthian
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Posted
  • Location: Chatel
  • Weather Preferences: Large quantities of snow.
  • Location: Chatel

Looks like a few places are opening early in the Portes Du Soleil this weekend as well - Chatel, possibly Les Gets (decision Thursday) and rumours of Avoriaz too.

 

Yep - the Pre-La-Joux sector of Chatel is partially opening this weekend. I have heard that Avoriaz is not opening - but that is not definite. I went to Pre-La-Joux this afternoon and the bottom of the piste now looks in good shape with a lot of snowmaking going on. Snowfall for this Friday night / Saturday morning looks light with Meteo France suggesting 3.5cm to 6cm and snow-forecast .com 4cm. Must admit I thought the front bringing this potential snow would produce a bit more than that - but we shall see...

 

Bottom of Rochassons in Chatel this afternoon - a few people had skinned up  the piste ...

 

Posted Image

Edited by Chatel Snow
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Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

Morning,

 First skiers of the new season.post-3489-0-69580200-1385808225_thumb.jp

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http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full

 

SNOW NEWS UPDATED 28 NOVEMBER 2013

 

INTRODUCTION Most of our featured European resorts enjoyed a week of bright sunshine.

 

AUSTRIA Despite mostly sunny weather across the Alps this week Austria has received some fresh snow and is still providing excellent snow conditions Solden (20cm/135cm) had 10cm of fresh snow overnight on Thursday 28th November before skiers and snowboarders enjoyed great conditions on and off piste and sunny weather during the day.Some of the best conditions could be found in Zauchensee (50cm/70cm). It snowed throughout the day on Wednesday 27th November making for brilliant skiing the following day. There were pockets of fresh powder off piste while groomed runs were in prime condition.All our featured Austrian glacial resorts experienced sunny weather on Thursday but the warmer temperatures have caused the snow base to recede in some ski areas. However, after good early season snowfall Igls (10cm/50cm) and Ischgl (15cm/60cm), which opened 30 lifts, kicked off their seasons on Thursday.

 

FRANCE It has been a week of sunshine in the French Alps with little snow falling but good conditions at most of our featured resorts Val d'Isere (50cm/130cm) and Les Duex Alpes (40cm/160cm) are both scheduled to open on Saturday 30th November for the first turns of the season. They have received no new snow since last weekend but will offer good skiing on piste thanks to an excellent start to the winter.The best opening day conditions could be on offer at Chamonix (50cm/150cm) on Saturday. The resort received 10cm of new snow at the beginning of the week. Elsewhere La Clusaz (15cm/70cm) and Alpe d'Huez (40cm/170cm) are set to start the season on Saturday after successful bonus weekends.There are still good conditions at Tignes (40cm/220cm) and Val Thorens (75cm/110cm) despite a lack of snowfall this weekend. Both resorts offered good skiing on groomed runs on Thursday 28th November.

 

SWITZERLAND Andermatt (33cm/200cm) and Crans Montana (10cm/50cm) are both due to open every day from Saturday 30th November.They both enjoyed bonus weekends last week but have had no new snow since Monday 25th November although decent snow bases should provide good skiing on piste.A week of sunny skies in Switzerland has taken its toll slightly on some resorts' snowpacks. The excellent base at Saas Fee (30cm/285cm) was reduced by 10cm by Thursday 28th November but there were still good on piste conditions.

 

ITALY Winter will well and truly arrive in Italy this weekend with a host of resorts preparing for opening day after a week of sunshine.The Monterosa ski area will open its doors on Saturday 30th November with the best conditions available at Champoluc (40cm/110cm) which has a decent early season base. Livigno (26cm/86cm) is also due to open on Saturday although there has been no new snow since last weekend Val Senales (25cm/280cm) experienced strong winds at altitude on Thursday 28th November but was able to open 8 lifts. In Cervinia skiers and snowboarders have enjoyed good conditions on piste all week and warm sunny weather.

 

ANDORRA The new ski season is about to get underway in Andorra and there are excellent conditions across all our featured resorts.Pas de la Casa (60cm/150cm) and Soldeu (60cm/110cm) are set to begin the new season on Saturday 30th November and will both have superb opening day conditions thanks to heavy early-season snowfall.After a storm on Sunday 24th November brought around 20cm of snow to the area the resorts have experienced sunny weather through most of the week.

 

GERMANY There was fantastic skiing on offer on the Zugspitze glacier after Garmisch (0cm/120cm) received 5cm of fresh snow on Thursday 28th November.The resort also received around 8cm two days before to make for excellent snow conditions across the ski area. There is also one lift open in Feldberg (30cm/40cm) and good skiing on-piste thanks to fresh snowfall on Wednesday 26th November.There rest of our featured German resorts are yet to open for the winter season.

 

EUROPEAN WEATHER OUTLOOK Sunny weather is set to continue in France which will have clear and dry weather throughout next week although there could be light snowfall over the weekend. It is a similar story across much of the Alps but there is moderate snowfall predicted for the weekend the Pyrenees with Grandvalira expecting around 20cm.

Edited by J10
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Previous Update

 

Synoptics

 

Sunday sees High Pressure to the west of the UK, with another area of High Pressure centred over Eastern Europe, with a ridge over the Alps with Easterly winds more especially for southern areas.

For the start of next week, the western areas of High Pressure moves eastwards to envelop the Alps, keeping things settled here, with Easterly winds again on the southern flank of the High Pressure. High Pressure still in control for midweek, with High Pressure covering the Atlantic through to Eastern Europe, variable winds over the Alps.  Towards the Alps

Model uncertainty toward the weekend, GFS keeps the High Pressure in place, ECM looks to introduce a colder North Westerly flow.

 

850HPa Temps – Turning a bit milder as we move into Next week, initially more especially for western areas, but becoming widespread across the Alps. However turning a bit colder from the North from around Thursday onwards.

 

Sunday -2c to -4c (N) to 0c to +3c (S)

Monday +1c to -3c (E Austria) to 3c to 7c (West)

Tuesday +3 to 6c (E Austria) to 7c to 9c (West)

Wednesday 4c to 5c (N) to 6c to 7c (S)

Thursday -2c to -5c (N) to -1c to +3c (S)

Friday -2c to +2c (N) to +2c to +4c (S)

 

Ensembles

post-213-0-64202100-1385823005_thumb.png

post-213-0-13797500-1385823007_thumb.png

 

Good agreement on the temps rising, for a time, and then cooling back towards the weekend, more especially for Vienna.

 

Precipitation / Snowfall

A bit of snow this weekend, but mostly dry until about Next Friday.

post-213-0-74708800-1385823250_thumb.gif

 

Overall

 

A mostly settled week in question, and milder for a time, it does seem likely that snow depths at lower resorts will suffer a bit this week. However due to the clear skies, many resorts are likely to be below freezing overnight, despite mild daytime temps, so these freeze thaw conditions, will minimise the thawing.

Edited by J10
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Clearly there is more snow on the webcams this week, even down to lower levels, As seen the Tines and Wengen webcams. This ties in with the snow photos from others over the Alps.

 

Webcams [2000m+] (Source shown)

 

Alpe D Heuz Latest Posted ImageAlpe d Heux 23 Nov.jpg (http://alpedhuez.livecam360.net/)

 

Up above St Moritz latest Posted ImageSt Moritz 23 Nov.jpg (http://elparadiso.roundshot.ch/)

 

Tignes Brevieres [1600m] Posted ImageTignes 23 Nov.jpg (http://tignes.livecam360.net/brevieres)

 

Wengen Resort [1300m] Posted ImageWengen 23 Nov.jpg (http://bellevue.roundshot.ch/)

 

Alpe D Heux (http://alpedhuez.livecam360.net/) post-213-0-97091800-1385825160_thumb.jpg

St Moritz (http://elparadiso.roundshot.ch/) post-213-0-23094400-1385825222_thumb.jpg

Tignes (http://tignes.livecam360.net/brevieres) post-213-0-15357300-1385825212_thumb.jpg

Wengen (http://bellevue.roundshot.ch/post-213-0-17546100-1385825182_thumb.jpg

 

The biggest gain compared to last week is at Wengen, the other cams show slightly less snow than last week.

Edited by J10
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Source -> http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full

 

Latest Update [Alps Extract]

 

SNOW NEWS UPDATED 5 DECEMBER 2013

INTRODUCTION The sun is still shinning in as more resorts prepare for opening days this weekend. 

AUSTRIA Most of our featured Austrian resorts experienced a warm and sunny week but good early-season snowfall means more will open early this weekend.St. Anton (10cm/50cm) will kick off the new season on Friday 6th December along with nearby Lech (30cm/40cm) and Zurs (30cm/40cm). There has been no new snow in the Arlberg ski area but each resorts should offer good on-piste conditions Serfaus (10cm/55cm) and Fiss (10cm/55cm) will also start operations on Friday 6th December and are expected to have 31 lifts and 85km of pistes available.Despite a mostly sunny week there are still excellent early season conditions at our featured glacial resorts. Solden (10cm/142cm) now has top to bottom skiing on offer and there is a strong base and good on-piste conditions at Kaunertal (0cm/272cm).

 

FRANCE There is great skiing available at the open resorts in France, including Bareges/La Mongie (85/150cm), Cauterets (80/120cm), Font Romeu (120/150cm), La Rosiere (50/105cm), Les Deux Alpes (40/160cm), Montgenevre (40/60cm), Tignes (44/170cm), Val d'Isere (43/86cm) and Val Thorens (65/105cm). It has been relatively mild at times this week but the temperature has dropped again now. The forecast is for bright, sunny weather across this weekend and into next week.The big news in France is that many resorts will open for snowsports this weekend  either for weekend skiing or for the season fully Alpe d'Huez (22/150cm) is scheduled to open for the season on Friday 6th December. Isola 2000 (55cm/60cm) was open for a pre-opening ski on Sunday 1st December but will open for the season daily from 7th December Meribel (30/105cm), Les Menuires (43/85cm) and Courchevel (45/105cm) in the Three Valleys ski area, as well as Chamrousse (15/25cm) and Les Orres (30/50cm), will open for the winter season on Saturday 7th December. Grands Montets, at Argentiere (20/150cm) in the Chamonix valley (10/150cm) will open this Saturday 7th December. Les Houches, also in the Chamonix area will open for weekend skiing on 7th and 8th December Chatel (30/65cm) and Avoriaz (30/60cm) in the Portes du Soleil and Flaine (18/80cm) in the Grande Massif ski area, along with Foux d'Allos (32/45cm) and Villard de Lans (50/70cm), will open for weekend skiing on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December, before opening for the season fully on Saturday 14th December Les Saisies (25/45cm) will open for weekend skiing in 7/8th December and 14/15th December before opening for the season fully on 19th December.

 

SWITZERLAND Many Swiss resorts are already open for skiing and snowboarding with excellent riding on packed snow cover under sunny skies this week. The temperature had dropped by the end of this week, providing firmly packed snow on the groomed runs, and the temperature is forecast to remain low over the weekend before climbing again next week. The greatest snow depth in Switzerland is reported on the higher slopes at Saas Fee (25/275cm), where there is more than 2.5 metres of snow on the slopes.There is further good news for fans of skiing in Switzerland as more resorts will open this weekend Crans Montana (10/50cm) will open for snowsports on Friday 6th December Champery (10/50CM), on the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil ski area, Nendaz (10/90cm) and Lenk (15/50cm) will open for the season this Saturday 7th December.The Jungfrau area, including Grindelwald (25/71cm), Murren (25/65cm) and Wengen (20/60cm), will be open for weekend skiing 7/8th December Les Mosses (10/20cm) is already open for snowsports although with only one piste available. Leysin (10/20cm) will open for snowsports this weekend, on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December.

 

ITALY Skiers and snowboarders in Italy have enjoyed sunny skies this week, and although there has been no new snow, more resorts are opening up Bardonecchia (40cm/60cm) began the new season on Thursday 5th December with four lifts in operation. There was good skiing on-piste on offer under clear skies and more terrain is set to open throughout the weekend.After a successful bonus weekend last week Sauze d'Oulx (60cm/100cm) will re-open this weekend for the start of the season proper.Elsewhere there are still excellent snow bases at both Val Senales (20cm/280cm) and Passo Tonale (50cm/200cm) despite strong sun throughout the week. The best riding at both resorts can be found on-piste with sun-baked snow off piste.

 

ANDORRA It is only the first week of full operations at our featured Andorran resorts but they are all experiencing excellent early-season conditions.Following heavy snowfall over the weekend there is fantastic on-piste skiing on offer in Grandvalira. Pas de la Casa (70cm/180cm) and Soldeu (70cm/140cm) have most of their lifts open and impressive snow bases for this time of the year. The resorts both enjoyed a week of warmer, sunny weather.Pal/Arinsal (50cm/100cm) and Arcalis (90cm/180cm) also both have strong snow cover and, although the off-piste has become variable after a week of strong sun, skiers and boarders enjoyed perfect conditions on groomed runs on Thursday 5th December.

 

 

GERMANY Lenggries (50cm/50cm) and Spitzingsee (47cm/47cm) are now open for skiing and snowboarding. Although most of their snow base is machine-made there was good on-piste skiing available on Thursday 5th December along with sunny skies.It has been sunny throughout the week at our featured German resorts and the warmer weather continued at Garmisch (0cm/135cm) on Thursday as well. Although there has been no new snow on the Zugspitze glacier there are seven lifts now open and good skiing on groomed runs.There were similar conditions at Feldberg (40cm/50cm) which was able to make new terrain available after 10cm of fresh snow late last week.

 

EUROPEAN WEATHER OUTLOOK The weather over the weekend and into next weekend is forecast to remain sunny for the majority of European skiing destinations. The good news is that mid-mountain temperatures should remain around freezing over the weekend, although it is set to get mild again next week.

Edited by J10
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As mentioned above, it has been quite sunny and mild across the Alps, this will have hte effect of reducing snow depths at least off piste. With the clear skies overnight, even in mild weather generally, surface temps drop substantially and the snow cannons may still ber able to operate, which should help on piste conditions.

 

Going back to the webcams

 

Alpe D Heux (http://alpedhuez.livecam360.net/) Posted Imageimage(21).jpg

St Moritz (http://elparadiso.roundshot.ch/) Posted Imageimage(18).jpg

Tignes (http://tignes.livecam360.net/brevieres) Posted Imageimage(19).jpg

Wengen (http://bellevue.roundshot.ch/Posted Imageimage(20).jpg

 

The biggest gain compared to last week is at Wengen, the other cams show slightly less snow than last week.

 

Alpe D Heuz (http://alpedhuez.livecam360.net/) post-213-0-80214600-1386418450_thumb.jpg

St Moritz (http://elparadiso.roundshot.ch/) post-213-0-87064400-1386418474_thumb.jpg

Tignes (http://tignes.livecam360.net/brevieres) post-213-0-32196300-1386418459_thumb.jpg

Wengen (http://bellevue.roundshot.ch/) post-213-0-78387800-1386418503_thumb.jpg

 

All four resorts are bathed in glorious sunshine at the time of photos, around noon Sat 7 December. Snow depths are a bit lower than last week, especially in areas facing the sun, Alpe D Heuz is also open for business as skiers are very noticeable on the slopes.

Edited by J10
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Last Weeks Update

 

Synoptics

 

Sunday sees a large block of High Pressure centred over the Alps (1030Mb) with variable winds. The High Pressure is extensive ranging from ranging from the Mid Atlantic to the West to Eastern Europe in the East and from the UK to the North and North Africa to the South, so pretty extensive to say the least. Much of the Alps is mild at this time, but some colder air for Eastern parts of Austria.

 

Through this week and into Next Weekend, High Pressure remains dominant over the Alps, and with the source of the air from the Mid Atlantic, A tropical Maritime air source, so turning milder for all parts.

Monday sees the High Pressure largely in Sunday’s position. Tuesday sees the High Pressure edge into Scandinavia, with some colder air, edging south but this missing the Alps to the East, despite Easterly winds for the Alps.

Wednesday sees the High Pressure core move further East to be centred over Eastern Europe. Easterly winds again over the Alps, but any colder air well locked away over Eastern Europe, and staying very mild over the Alps.

In Summary, Settled  with High Pressure dominating and Mild or very  Mild at times.

 

850HPa Temps – Largely mild over the Alps, less so for Austria, especially Eastern areas.

 

Western Alps – French Alps, Switzerland, Western half Italy and Germany   Eastern Alps – Austria, Eastern half of Italy and  Germany

Sunday          [West] -1c (N) to +3c (S)	    [East]  -3c (N) to 1c (SW)Monday		  [West] +3c to +5c			    [East] +1c to +3cTuesday         [West] 5c (E) to +8c(W)		  [East] -2c (E) to +5c (W)Wednesday       [West] +2c (S) to +6c (NW)       [East] -4 (SE) to +6c (NW)Thursday	    [West] +2c (S) to +5c (N)	    [East] +1c (S) to +5c (N)Friday		  [West] +3c to +5c			    [East] +2c to +5c 

Ensembles

post-213-0-59847400-1386421254_thumb.png post-213-0-46763800-1386421253_thumb.png

A very noticeable difference, much milder generally for Bern.

 

Precipitation / Snowfall

post-213-0-26638700-1386421305_thumb.gif

Very Dry over Western areas, a bit of precipitation in NE Austria

 

Overall

A mostly settled week in question, and milder generally, it does seem likely that snow depths at lower resorts will suffer a bit this week, more especially for Western areas.

Edited by J10
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Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

Fantastic day on the slopes of Katschberg Mountain. Good time for a beer and soak up the sunshine.

Cpost-3489-0-97901200-1386500589_thumb.jp

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Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

Looks glorious there. Posted Image

hi Julian,

 Had a few runs this morning and was just wonderful with almost empty slopes. A few more having a day out now, but most sat in the sunshine and chilling. Just hope the snow holds out during the Euro High spell.

 C

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A quick question - do you want the forecast I am doing on this thread or in a blog like last year, they are not in as much detail as last year, and that is why for the time being they have been in here instead,

 

So here or blog that is the question.

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Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

A quick question - do you want the forecast I am doing on this thread or in a blog like last year, they are not in as much detail as last year, and that is why for the time being they have been in here instead,

 

So here or blog that is the question.

Here please.

C

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Posted
  • Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
  • Weather Preferences: An Alpine climate - snowy winters and sunny summers
  • Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk

A quick question - do you want the forecast I am doing on this thread or in a blog like last year, they are not in as much detail as last year, and that is why for the time being they have been in here instead,

 

So here or blog that is the question.

Hi J10. I've been enjoying reading your forecasts in this thread, so please keep them coming. I'm a keen skier and most seasons I'm lucky enough to squeeze in 3 trips to either the Alps or some other European skiing destination, so I'll be following (and hopefully contributing to) this thread as the winter progresses. This Christmas I'm off to the small ski resort of Feldberg in the Black Forest (alt. 1450m), so at the moment I'm very worried about the current euro high pressure pattern and forecast up to the Christmas period. Desperately hoping the upcoming more mobile pattern from next week turns out less flat than GFS projections and we manage a trough digging further south into the mountains. Come on this evenings ECM 12Z! Let's have a straw to clutch!

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Going by demand I'll keep updates in here,

 

Latest Update by http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full

 

 

SNOW NEWS UPDATED 9 DECEMBER 2013

 

INTRODUCTION There was scattered snowfall across our featured Austrian resorts this weekend but most of the Alps remained bright and sunny.

 

AUSTRIA There was moderate snowfall at most of our featured Austrian resorts over the weekend to continue the excellent start to the season in the Alps St Anton (20/60cm), Lech (45/75cm) and Zurs (45/75cm) in the Arlberg ski area all enjoyed a good opening weekend after 10cm fell on Friday 6th December. The best conditions of the weekend could be found in Obertaurern (100/140cm) where 20cm of fresh snow fell on Saturday 7th December. There are over 50 lifts in operation at Serfaus (10/55cm) and Fiss (10/50cm) and good on-piste conditions. All three resorts are now both open every day following the weekend and had a dusting of fresh snow on Friday.There are still excellent conditions on our featured glacial resorts in Austria with fast skiing on hard-packed pistes. However, Kaunertal (0/272cm) received 20cm of fresh powder on Friday which made for a fantastic weekend of riding.There was also decent snowfall on Saturday at Westendorf (10/55cm) Zauchensee (60/85cm) and Saalbach (35/75cm). Each resort benefited from 15cm of new snow and offered great on-piste conditions on Monday 9th December.

 

FRANCE Thanks to the excellent start to the winter season in France many resorts opened early this weekend and there is fantastic on-piste skiing all over the French Alps Meribel (30/100cm), Val Thorens (65/105cm) and Courchevel (69/99cm) are now all open for the season in the Three Valleys. Although there has been no recent snowfall all three resorts have strong snow bases and enjoyed clear weather all weekend Isola 2000 (40/60cm) La Clusaz (15/70cm) and Les Menuires (20/105cm) are all also now open every day and provided fast skiing on hard-packed pistes on Monday 9th December under sunny skies. There is still brilliant skiing to be found in Tignes (40/140cm) which has enjoyed consistent sunshine recently. The resort now has over 50 lifts open and the best skiing can be found on groomed runs. Val d'Isere (40/80cm), Les Deux Alpes (15/170cm) and Alpe d'Huez (20/150cm) have also been enjoying spring-like conditions in December and the warm and sunny weather continued at each resort on Monday 9th December.

 

SWITZERLAND A number of Swiss resorts opened over the weekend, either for weekend riding or daily for skiing and snowboarding. This has increased the spread of resorts open for skiing in Switzerland although the conditions are overall similar; the snow cover is very good due to the excellent early season snowfall although it has been sunny over the last week and areas of high traffic are becoming polished. Expect good skiing on firmly packed runs, with the best conditions available on the upper slopes Saas Fee (25/275cm) reports the deepest snow base in Switzerland on their upper slopes, although Andermatt (37/200cm) and the Gstaad area (5/240cm) report over two metres of snow high up, while Zermatt (40/190cm) is not that far off two metres.The skies are forecast to remain bright and sunny all week across Switzerland, with mid-mountain temperatures remaining around freezing.

 

ITALY The weekend was generally a sunny and mild one across Italy, with no fresh snow and fairly high temperatures for the time of year. The best skiing is at high altitude resorts such as Cervinia (40/185cm). Their upper slopes are in good condition at the moment although there hasn't been any significant fresh snow since 21st November. All 15 of their lifts were open on Monday 9th December with the links over into Zermatt available too. It's a similar story at Livigno (14/84cm). All 30 of their lifts were running on Monday and although the snow base isn't huge they have plenty of snow for on-piste skiing. It will take some further new snow to freshen up the off-piste areas and at the moment there isn't any forecast.

 

ANDORRA There is excellent on-piste skiing at all of our featured resorts in Andorra which continue to provide clear and sunny skies.There has been no new snow in Pal/Arinsal (50/80cm) or Arcalis (40/120cm) in the Vallnord region since the beginning of the month. Combined with warmer, sunny weather this has created some spring conditions on the lower slopes. However, there is still fantastic skiing to be found on the upper slopes and unlimited visibility provided by clear skies.There are similar conditions in Grandvalira at Pas de la Casa (100/170cm) and Soldeu (100/170cm). Despite the lack of recent snowfall, early-season storms have created such a good December base that skiers and snowboarders enjoyed good skiing at both resorts over the weekend.

 

GERMANY There are very good conditions in Germany for this time of year and after strong recent snowfall Garmisch (20/145cm) has opened up new terrain.The resort received a light dusting of 3cm on Friday 6th December on the Zugspitze glacier but there are now 13 lifts open including 7 at lower altitudes Feldberg (45/55cm) enjoyed new snow on both Friday and Saturday 7th December. 15cm of new snow fell across the two days and there is excellent on-piste skiing available, particularly on the upper slopes.

 

EUROPEAN WEATHER OUTLOOK The sunny weather looks set to continue in Europe with France, Switzerland and Austria all expecting clear skies and dry days throughout next week. Temperatures could also rise to above 5C in some places.While very little snow is expected to fall anywhere in Europe this week Bulgaria could receive light snow during the middle of the week in preparation for opening day at Bansko next weekend.

Edited by J10
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Hi J10. I've been enjoying reading your forecasts in this thread, so please keep them coming. I'm a keen skier and most seasons I'm lucky enough to squeeze in 3 trips to either the Alps or some other European skiing destination, so I'll be following (and hopefully contributing to) this thread as the winter progresses. This Christmas I'm off to the small ski resort of Feldberg in the Black Forest (alt. 1450m), so at the moment I'm very worried about the current euro high pressure pattern and forecast up to the Christmas period. Desperately hoping the upcoming more mobile pattern from next week turns out less flat than GFS projections and we manage a trough digging further south into the mountains. Come on this evenings ECM 12Z! Let's have a straw to clutch!

 

Always good to have new people on board, and comments more than welcome.

 

A general Question are there any resorts people want to nominate to snow depths reporting this season.

Edited by J10
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Posted
  • Location: newent glos. 50 metres asl
  • Location: newent glos. 50 metres asl

Looks like the alps could see some fresh this time next week. Mainly the western alps by the looks of things. Lets hope so. Im off to tignes start of jan.

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Posted
  • Location: Appley Bridge, Nr. Wigan, Lancashire, approx 50m ASL
  • Location: Appley Bridge, Nr. Wigan, Lancashire, approx 50m ASL

Off to Mayrhofen, Austria next Sunday for a week.  Being a backcountry skier looking for at least as much snow again as there has already been this year.  Unlikely, but if so will need to be very careful of that layer there would inevitably be Posted Image

 

Hopefully the temps will drop with could cover / snow from Friday as being shown a possibility so that the pack can consolidate well.

 

Either way, keep safe peeps.

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One thing has caught me out, things have been a bit colder than I anticipated given the pattern we have had, so thawing has been less of a problem. I do think though that very cold overnight temps under clear skies, has meant the snow freezing heavily overnight, while obviously helps with snow retention as has the lack of rain.

 

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The next update will be tomorrow, but before that I have attached the latest Snow Conditions Update.

 

http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full (from Ski Club GB)

 

http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/snowreports/overview/default.aspx

 

SNOW NEWS UPDATED 12 DECEMBER 2013

 

INTRODUCTION Conditions in Europe are becoming hard-packed in many resorts after more than two weeks without new snow, but there is still excellent on-piste skiing to be found.

 

AUSTRIA  has some of the best conditions in Europe at the moment after moderate snowfall at the weekend but some resorts are experiencing spring conditions with warm, sunny weather. Temperatures rose to around 7C in Ellmau (10/50cm) and Westendorf (10/55cm) in the Ski Welt area on Thursday 12th December. The best skiing at could be found on well-groomed runs on the upper slopes. The best conditions are still currently at our featured glacial resorts where there is excellent skiing on-piste. Hintertux (20/185cm) enjoyed sunny skies yet again on Thursday and great skiing up high. There are also great on-piste conditions in Pitztal (89/199cm) which has the strongest base of all our featured resorts St Anton (20/60cm) has enjoyed a sunny opening week of the season is offering good skiing on firmly packed runs but patchy conditions in the off piste.

 

FRANCE Sunny weather has begun to take its toll on some of our featured resorts this week but many are still preparing to open up this weekend after a good start to the winter La Plagne (20/125cm) and Les Arcs (20/80cm) will both be kicking off the season on Saturday 14th December. They should provide excellent skiing on piste on their upper slopes. Unfortunately the cable car connecting the two resorts will not be in operation Flaine (15/50cm), Orcieres (30/60cm) and Foux d'Allos (10/15cm) are all also due to open for the season this weekend. Elsewhere there are still excellent conditions on piste at both Tignes (40/140cm) and Val d'Isere (40/75cm) although trails are very hard packed. The off piste is hard and variable. Almost two weeks of bright sunshine has caused the off piste in both Les Deux Alpes (15/170cm) and Alpe d'Huez (20/150cm) to become quite patchy. The best conditions can be found on groomed pistes at higher altitudes.

 

SWITZERLAND Great skiing and boarding could be achieved on the glorious pistes across our featured resorts on Thursday 12th December. In common with neighbouring countries, bright blue, sunny skies glistened across the mountains. Grächen (10/20cm) is now open for snow sports and on Saturday 14 December, Ski Club Leaders will kick off their leading program in Zermatt (40/190cm), Saas Fee (25/240cm) Verbier (20/90cm) and Wengen (15/30cm) where excellent conditions await.

 

ITALY Our featured Italian resorts have enjoyed plenty of sunshine this week and good skiing on-piste, although some high traffic areas are becoming polished and icy Passo Tonale (50/200cm) has a fantastic early season snow base and offers fast skiing on firmly packed pistes. However, consistent sunshine this week as made the off-piste patchy and hard in places. There is also good coverage and hard-packed pistes on offer in Val Senales (20/280cm) but a lack of recent snowfall means the off-piste is to be avoided. Some of the best skiing is on offer in Cervinia (40/185cm), which has provided excellent on-piste conditions all season. All 15 of their lifts are open as well as the links over to Zermatt. Most of our other featured resorts in Italy are now also open but they are in need of some new snow to freshen up the solid pistes and variable off-piste.

 

ANDORRA  There has been no new snow in Andorra this week but all our featured resorts are still providing excellent early-season conditions. Good snowfall so far this season means Pas de la Casa (90/160cm) and Soldeu (90/160cm) in Grandvalira have impressive December snow bases. The best skiing can be found on firmly packed pistes across the resorts. Skiers and snowboarders enjoyed yet another glorious sunny day on Thursday 12th December. In the Vallnord region all 15 lifts at Arcalis (40/110cm) are open and there is good skiing on piste. There are similar snow conditions at Pal/Arinsal (50/80cm) and both resorts had clear skies on Thursday.

 

GERMANY After good weekend snowfall our featured resorts have enjoyed a few days of sunshine and good on-piste skiing. Trails have become quite hard-packed at both Lenggries (30/42cm) and Spitzingsee (46/46cm) and the best conditions can be found on the upper slopes. The sun has caused the off-piste conditions in Garmisch (20/135cm) to become patchy, even at higher altitudes, but there was still good on-piste skiing available on Thursday 12th December.

 

BULGARIA The season is getting started as Pamporovo (20/35cm) is now open for the winter. Snowmaking was possible on Thursday 12th December and conditions were decent on piste with sunny weather overhead. The two other resorts we feature in Bulgaria, Bansko (20/30cm) and Borovets (20/30cm), are preparing to open on Saturday 14th December. They are currently improving their coverage with man-made snow as there has been no fresh snowfall since late November.

Edited by J10
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Posted
  • Location: Weymouth, Dorset
  • Location: Weymouth, Dorset

Quick generic question to the more seasoned boarders and skiers out there. I'm looking to go to Les Gets early Jan, normally I go late season when it can be 50/50 as its not the highest of resorts.Swing and roundabouts I'm sure but is it a bigger risk going with greater likelihood of less accumulation but less sun impact or viva versa? Putting aside the fact we are in a non favourable Euro high setup.

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Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

Quick generic question to the more seasoned boarders and skiers out there. I'm looking to go to Les Gets early Jan, normally I go late season when it can be 50/50 as its not the highest of resorts.Swing and roundabouts I'm sure but is it a bigger risk going with greater likelihood of less accumulation but less sun impact or viva versa? Putting aside the fact we are in a non favourable Euro high setup.

It has always been a big dilemma for UK skiers . Having to book flights and advance travel arrangements always leaves your vacation weather in the lap of the gods. Sometimes you are lucky and other not so. There is only one hotel in our resort that caters for UK package holidays (sat to sat ) and thats full most weeks of the season. Most folk with-in 3 to 4 hour drive of here plan their ski-ing on the whim of a moment ( ie ) when the ski-ing is good and the weather favourable. They travel from Vienna,Munchen and even Hungary, Croatia, Chech Republic for a day out. Better still for me , my place is next to the slopes, so I am very lucky. Anyway, I hope the gods are on your side and have a nice snow time in Les Gets.

 Cheers

 C

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Synoptics

 

Posted Image

Animation above - T850 and Sea Level Pressure

 

Start Saturday 14 Dec

End Friday 20 Dec 13

 

Currently there is an area of High Pressure (1030Mb) covering much of Continental Europe, the initial feed is from the Mid Atlantic, so the upper air profile is mild. Winds around the Alps are generally from more Easterly direction so temps not as mild as they might otherwise be.

 

By Monday and Tuesday, the orientation of the High changes a bit turning more to a SW NW with the High Pressure centred much further east, this introduces a milder South Westerly flow, which is set to raise surface temps over the Alps.

 

By midweek, there is set to be a huge area of High Pressure (1030mb) covering all of the Southern Atlantic, through much of Continental Europe and into Russia

 

Towards next weekend, not that much changes, perhaps more of a South Westerly flow setting up again towards next weekend, but perhaps upper air temperatures falling back with a Returning Polar Maritime air mass.

 

In Summary- Dry under High Pressure, light winds, Mild or Very Mild 850Hpa Temperatures, perhaps a bit milder than recently on the ground, due to South Westerly winds at times, Still sub zero widely overnight though due to largely clear skies.

 

850HPa Temps – Mild to start, turning very mild for a time then perhaps colder towards the weekend.

 

Western Alps – French Alps, Switzerland, Western half Italy and Germany   Eastern Alps – Austria, Eastern half of Italy and  Germany

   Sunday          [West] +4c (E) to +7c (W)	         [East]  +1c (E) to +4c (W)    Monday		  [West] +5c (S) to +9c (N)	         [East] +5c (S) to +9c (NW)	      Tuesday          [West] +4c to +5c			   	  [East] +4c (S) to +7c (NE)	   Wednesday          [West] +3c to +4c			   	  [East] +3c to +4c			   	   Thursday	      [West] +1c (S) to +4c(N)	          [East] +1c (S) to +4c (N)	    	     Friday		  [West] -1c (N) to +1c (S)			 [East] 0c (N) to +2c (S)			  

Ensembles

 

Good Agreement in things turning much milder for a time, before cooling down late next week, a lot of scatter after this.

 

post-213-0-18181200-1387031695_thumb.png post-213-0-51455100-1387031696_thumb.png

 

Precipitation / Snowfall

 

In the next 120 hours, looking mostly dry over the Alps, but perhaps a bit more in the way of Precipitation next Friday, and with the reducing temps, quite of lot of this could be snow, but this is a long way off.

 

post-213-0-90566300-1387031725_thumb.gif post-213-0-66592200-1387031727_thumb.gifgif]

 

Summary

 

A continuation of the slow thaw of lying snow, becoming a bit more pronounced for a time, midweek, before a chance of the first appreciable snow in a while before next weekend.

Edited by J10
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Posted
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks

I Like the animation Julian

a request, as ever I hear you say!

Can you put a label on what it is for everyone just to make it quite clear and perhps state when the frames start and end?

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