The Alps Snow Thread - Season 2014/2015

[Blessed Weather]

Article published today in the Telegraph Online 'Ski & Snowboard' section. Extracts:

 

Do not panic about lack of snow in the Alps yet, say forecasters

It is not yet time to press the panic button over the lack of snow in the Alps this season, according to specialist ski weather forecasters. Many Alpine resorts, particularly in France, have seen very little snow so far this winter, with most slopes below 2,000m remaining green, an unusual state of affairs for this point in December.

 

But the poor start to the season is only as rare as one in six and it is not yet time to worry, says Fraser Wilkin, of snow forecasting website weathertoski.co.uk. “Some of the best winters haven't got going until well into December. This year is a bit of a concern but it's not quite time to press the panic button..."

 

Paul Wisely, of weather forecasting website myweather2.com, said there are plenty of nerves about the lack of snow but the situation is improving.

 

Full article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/snowandski/skiing-news/11276610/Do-not-panic-about-lack-of-snow-in-the-Alps-yet-say-forecasters.html

Edited December 8, 2014 by Blessed Weather

[J10]

Article published today in the Telegraph Online 'Ski & Snowboard' section. Extracts:

 

Do not panic about lack of snow in the Alps yet, say forecasters

It is not yet time to press the panic button over the lack of snow in the Alps this season, according to specialist ski weather forecasters. Many Alpine resorts, particularly in France, have seen very little snow so far this winter, with most slopes below 2,000m remaining green, an unusual state of affairs for this point in December.

 

But the poor start to the season is only as rare as one in six and it is not yet time to worry, says Fraser Wilkin, of snow forecasting website weathertoski.co.uk. “Some of the best winters haven't got going until well into December. This year is a bit of a concern but it's not quite time to press the panic button..."

 

Paul Wisely, of weather forecasting website myweather2.com, said there are plenty of nerves about the lack of snow but the situation is improving.

 

Full article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/snowandski/skiing-news/11276610/Do-not-panic-about-lack-of-snow-in-the-Alps-yet-say-forecasters.html

 

 

http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full -Things have already improved with some fresh snow over the alps in recent days.

 

However a word of caution.things look like warming up a bit next week, however it is better to get the snow on the ground as forecasts can easily change as is always the case.

Edited December 8, 2014 by J10

[Blessed Weather]

^^ Nice one J10!! It was a bit of a Corporal Jones headline from the Telegraph (probably intended, but it went over my head!). Fingers crossed that more snow falls this week than both of us suggest above. 

 

Unfortunately I've just learnt that the FIS has pulled this coming weekend's (13th/14th Dec) slalom and giant slalom competitions from Val D'Isere and Courchevel due to lack of snow. They've moved the competitions to Sweden. I rather suspect that unless the next 7 days brings some good snowfall to Val D'Isere, the women's downhill set for the 20th Dec is in jeopardy too. I understand that Val Gardena has faired much better for snow so might be in a better position to run the men's downhill on the same date.

 

Edit: Just checked the Meteo France forecast for Val D'Isere out to Mon 15th Dec and there's only a couple of days with showery snow, so at this point in time, not looking promising for the downhill race to be held there on the 20th.

Edited December 8, 2014 by Blessed Weather

[carinthian]

Guten Morgan vom Katschberg, snow blowers busy at work in preparation for base of the piste. Looking better each day with freezing level staying below resort height.

C

[Great Plum]

Snow has also fallen in Wengen...

http://www.bellevue-wengen.ch/webcam-wengen.html

[J10]

^^ Nice one J10!! It was a bit of a Corporal Jones headline from the Telegraph (probably intended, but it went over my head!). Fingers crossed that more snow falls this week than both of us suggest above. 

 

Unfortunately I've just learnt that the FIS has pulled this coming weekend's (13th/14th Dec) slalom and giant slalom competitions from Val D'Isere and Courchevel due to lack of snow. They've moved the competitions to Sweden. I rather suspect that unless the next 7 days brings some good snowfall to Val D'Isere, the women's downhill set for the 20th Dec is in jeopardy too. I understand that Val Gardena has faired much better for snow so might be in a better position to run the men's downhill on the same date.

 

Edit: Just checked the Meteo France forecast for Val D'Isere out to Mon 15th Dec and there's only a couple of days with showery snow, so at this point in time, not looking promising for the downhill race to be held there on the 20th.

 

I have no real facts to base this on, but from past recollection it seems quite often that the Val D'Isere is cancelled due to a lack of sufficient snow, possibly this happened a bit more around 5-10 years ago.

 

Next week is not looking particularly good for cold temps, however there is some snow at resort level, so there is still a chance they can get it into event condition.

Edited December 9, 2014 by J10

[Ali1977]

Well, I'm off to La Plagne in the 3rd of Jan and things are not looking great....nothing much forecast and the chance of a euro high moving in isn't good news. This is really bad for the industry and people hoping for good early skiing. Hopefully the long range forecasts changes and things pick up, if not après ski may be busy! I have always gone skiing late Dec and Early Jan and have never had any problems with snow, however all that's needed is 1 big dump to get things started.

[Blessed Weather]

Hi Ali1977 - I share your concerns as I’m off to Germany for a skiing holiday on the 4^th January. I can tell you I’ve been depressing myself of late with my posts! I’d much prefer to be posting good news and lots of snowy webcam shots! But there’s plenty of time for things to change and posts such as those from Recretos and Fergieweather today give rise for cautious optimism that the models might be looking very different two weeks from now.  

 

Hi J10 - yes, I can certainly recall Val D'Isere being pulled before. Probably going back to those awful mild winters in the 90's and 00's. But more promising news tonight! The FIS website has posted today that "conditions have improved in the last few days" and that local organising authorities are "remaining hopeful, yet cautious for the events scheduled just before Christmas" with Val d’Isere "given a positive snow control" (progress check-point) for the Ladies race. So well done to the guys in the resort.  

 

Carinthian - looks like your part of the Alps is doing better than most... second year running?!!!

 

In the meantime there’s some more light snow heading for the Alps this evening (just a shame the front is fizzling out as it moves SE).

 

Euro4 midday today: 06.00 am Thurs 11^th

[Blessed Weather]

Here's one way of making sure a lack of snow doesn't spoil the party! Davos (Switzerland) host the Cross Country Skiing World Cup this coming weekend and have just spent 3 days bringing snow in by lorry so the race can go ahead! Anyone fancy starting up a 'snow haulage' company with me and selling 'snow IMBY' offers in the Model thread?

 

 

On a more sensible note, Meteo France published a snow conditions update on their website today (translated using Google). Worst conditions since 2006, but at least with the lower temps the snow cannons are now operating and conditions are improving.

 

Update on the snow in the French mountains at December 10, 2014

 

Northern Alps - The last snowfall occurred on the night of Monday to Tuesday, 9 December. They involved almost all the mountain from 500 to 600m above sea level, reaching 10 to 20 cm above 1000m. Below 2000m, there was often no prior layer due to the mildness of November. It prevented artificial snow production, but now possible with the cooling in recent days.

 

 Thus, the snow conditions are poor on most mountains of the Alps:

- 10 to 20 cm of fresh snow at 1500m,

- 10 to 30 cm of snow at 2000m,

- 2500m, snow depth is more consistent, generally between 50 and 80cm.

 

In the Northern Alps, snow is normal only above 2300 meters and remains heavily loss on all ranges below this altitude. Not since December 2006 to find such a general deficit to 10 December.

 

Southern Alps - The last snowfall date of Tuesday, December 9, amounts vary from a few centimeters to 25 cm along the Italian border.

- At 2000m, the thickness of snow cover is generally between 25 and 35 cm in northern slope.

- At 2500m, there is often a significant layer of 1 meter sometimes more than 1.50m.

 

Pyrenees - The snow was minimal for the Pyrenees until Monday, December 8. Only the mountains of the Pyrenees-Orientales above 2000m enjoyed snow. Snow thicknesses from 20 cm to 1500m, 1800m 30 cm and 40 cm from 2000m. The snow depth is now in line with average season. 

 

For those who speak French. the full report: http://www.meteofrance.fr/actualites?articleId=19194864

Edited December 11, 2014 by Blessed Weather

[J10]

Brilliant update above, i do wish it gave better news though.

 

Looking at the direct translation between French and English gave some very strange phrases indeed. although one thing I find is strange is that much of the French is sort of being easily translatable.

 

My next blog update is schedule For Saturday, and I do hope things improve as a quick look at the models seems above zero temps at 850HPa temps for most or all of next week,

 

So some lower resorts may well really strgule to open at least to a normal level this side of Christmas. Here's hoping I am wrong.

 

Ainsi, certaines stations inférieures peuvent ainsi vraiment struglle d'ouvrir au moins à un niveau normal de ce côté de Noël. En espérant que je me trompe. (With Thanks to Google Translate)

Edited December 11, 2014 by J10

[carinthian]

Snow makers in full operation this morning working full blast on piste preparation. Resort planned to be open for business this weekend.

 C

[BLAST FROM THE PAST]

I think it will come good by end of the year, that AZH has been and is a REAL PAIN.  I'm going reasonably late 1-7 Mar 15 to Sauze D'oulx.  Normally I go early Jan but we changed our minds this year....currently I'm glad I did, but plenty of time for good news before New Year

 

BFTP

[carinthian]

I think it will come good by end of the year, that AZH has been and is a REAL PAIN.  I'm going reasonably late 1-7 Mar 15 to Sauze D'oulx.  Normally I go early Jan but we changed our minds this year....currently I'm glad I did, but plenty of time for good news before New Year

 

BFTP

Wise choice of dates. Last year that week was one of the best I can remember. Sunshine and amazing snow cover.

C

[frozencanals]

Evening All

 

Now I am starting to worry, with a week to go before we leave it is still looking very green around Salzburg, we may have to travel a bit for our snow fix.....

 

 

Cheers

 

FC

[J10]

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

 

SNOW NEWS UPDATED 11 DECEMBER 2014

INTRODUCTION The colder weather continued in Europe through the week, providing snowmakers with the perfect conditions to get the snow guns firing. Some light snow also fell on Monday and Tuesday in the Alps, adding to the snow cover. Much heavier snow fell across the Pyrenean resorts, many of which have been reporting very good skiing conditions.

 

AUSTRIA began its day quite cold with the vast majority of our featured resorts seeing some clouds up at high altitude. There has been plenty of snowmaking this week and as a result most of the resorts that are currently closed are planning to open this weekend. These include Kitzbuhel, Lech and Saalbach. Solden (5/180cm) started out reasonably bright on Thursday 11th December but more clouds began to develop as the day wore on. Overall conditions in Solden are good up high but resort runs are still varied. There were a total of 23 lifts running on Thursday so there is a good amount of piste skiing available here. Conditions on glaciers elsewhere were also reportedly very good this week, including at Kauerntal (140/173cm) and Kaprun (10/160cm). The weekends forecast looks quite bright with a few patches of cloud dotting the skies. The temperatures will still remain fairly cold so the pistes will remain in good condition and snowmaking will continue.

 

FRANCE The cold temperatures have continued through the week and there was some welcome snowfall on Monday and Tuesday. The best skiing remains in the higher resorts, but many lower resorts are set to open this weekend following an excellent week for snowmaking. Val Thorens (50/90cm) was offering skiing from almost all of its lifts on Thursday 11th December, although the links to Meribel (2/30cm) and Courchevel (10/40cm) remained closed. Good skiing has been reported on the glacier at Les Deux Alpes (2/80cm) and on the slopes of the Pissalis and Solaise at Val d'Isere (3/30cm). The pick of the French ski conditions are currently in the southern Alps and the Pyrenees. Isola 2000 (47/120cm) had eight lifts open on Thursday, providing access to an excellent early season base and 22 slopes. Across in the Pyrenees, Font Romeu (30/40cm) had 10 out of 23 lifts open following a 30cm drop of fresh snow earlier this week. Many resorts are expected to kick off their season's this weekend. These include Avoriaz, Cauterets, La Plagne, Les Arcs, Megeve, Meribel, Risoul and Serre Chevalier. Saturday is forecast to be a mostly sunny day, but some clouds may bring a dusting of new snow on Sunday.

 

SWITZERLAND Thursday 11th December dawned with changeable weather conditions. It has remained cold this week, good news for resort operators as the snow cannons have been firing every night. Some good snowfalls were reported on Monday and Tuesday, with the resorts of Murren, Wengen and Grindelwald receiving up to 25cm. These three are due to open for the season on Saturday, as are Adelboden, Arosa Lenzerheide and Crans Montana. Ski conditions at altitude have been reported as very good across Switzerland. The pick of the skiing conditions remains at Zermatt (0/80cm), where 40 lifts were operating providing access to a massive 213km of slopes. Good skiing was reported at Saas Fee (9/210cm) and at altitude above the resorts of St Moritz (0/91cm) and Davos Klosters (4/68cm). Limited skiing was also possible in Verbier (0/37cm) and Gstaad (0/60cm). For the weekend ahead, expect more terrain to open as the Christmas holidays approach and as the weather remains cold enough for snowmaking operations.

 

ITALY It was a crisp and chilly day on Thursday 11th December with all of our featured resorts seeing sunny skies. Snowmaking continues to blanket the areas in a firm base layer. The best skiing at the moment is to be found up on the glaciers. The Presena Glacier (30/350cm) is reporting powdery conditions at high altitude and generally good piste riding. A total of 16 lifts were running and as snowmaking continues more pistes are nearing completion. Away from the glaciers, some good skiing is available in Livigno (22/126cm), Bormio (0/100cm) and Gressoney-la-Trinite (0/130cm), although unfortunately Courmayeur have delayed their opening date to the 20th December. The weekend forecast is indicating more sunshine but clouds are expected to develop on Saturday which could bring some light snowfall.

 

GERMANY The Zugspitze glacier above Garmisch (0/65cm) remained the only open ski area on Thursday 11th December. However it will be joined by Feldberg (12/18cm) and Obertsdorf (0/50cm) for some limited skiing this weekend, following some light midweek snowfall and lots of snowmaking.

 

EUROPEAN WEATHER OUTLOOK Thursday was mostly sunny across Europe, with Austria differing slightly as it saw slightly cloudier conditions. Overall it is expected to remain fairly bright across Europe until Saturday evening when thicker clouds are predicted. This could bring some light snow to the Alps, so our fingers are crossed for this. The freezing level is predicted to rise slightly but this shouldn't affect the majority of ski areas at a higher altitude. Snow making will almost certainly continue during the night and conditions should improve with each passing day.

Edited December 12, 2014 by J10

[Blessed Weather]

Evening All

Now I am starting to worry, with a week to go before we leave it is still looking very green around Salzburg, we may have to travel a bit for our snow fix.....

Cheers

FC

 

Hi frozencanals - It may not look too good based on model output today, but who knows what the weather will actually turn out to be during the week you are in Gaissau-Hintersee? So fingers crossed. But even if it is a bit green when you get are, there is a stunning 'fix' for any lack of snow if you travel down the road to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. Admittedly it's one and a half hours drive away, but in the grand scheme of a weeks holiday it's not that far for a day trip and it's SO well worth it!

 

It truly is an amazing day out. The cable car's (there's two) lift you from the valley (at the end of the valley from Kaprun) up to the glacier. The skiing up there is great fun and even if you don't ski you can take another cable car up to the mountain peak restaurant at 10,500ft and enjoy lunch and spectacular views from the roof-top viewing terrace. If you do go, pick the sunniest day of your stay, as any cloud and you could be immersed in clag! A couple of photos from my last visit:

 

Higher pistes and snow park  View from rooftop terrace

 

Website: http://www.kitzsteinhorn.at/en/information/weather

 

 

 

[frozencanals]

HI BW

 

Now that looks like a good back up plan, we are in Salzburg its self so we would have to drive anyway (we have skiers and non skiers) the Gaissau-Hintersee is the closest but there is no snow at the moment, and they are forecasting heavy rain (32mm) on Wednesday so the Kitzsteinhorn will be a great backup plan, I guess it will be busy though if the lower resorts are closed.

 

Thanks for the update, its much appreciated.

 

FC

 

Hi frozencanals - It may not look too good based on model output today, but who knows what the weather will actually turn out to be during the week you are in Gaissau-Hintersee? So fingers crossed. But even if it is a bit green when you get are, there is a stunning 'fix' for any lack of snow if you travel down the road to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. Admittedly it's one and a half hours drive away, but in the grand scheme of a weeks holiday it's not that far for a day trip and it's SO well worth it!

 

It truly is an amazing day out. The cable car's (there's two) lift you from the valley (at the end of the valley from Kaprun) up to the glacier. The skiing up there is great fun and even if you don't ski you can take another cable car up to the mountain peak restaurant at 10,500ft and enjoy lunch and spectacular views from the roof-top viewing terrace. If you do go, pick the sunniest day of your stay, as any cloud and you could be immersed in clag! A couple of photos from my last visit:

 

Higher pistes and snow park Kaprun_Glacier5.jpg View from rooftop terrace Austria Skiing (some Germany) 058.jpg

 

Website: http://www.kitzsteinhorn.at/en/information/weather

 

 

Edited December 13, 2014 by frozencanals

[York-snow]

 

It truly is an amazing day out. The cable car's (there's two) lift you from the valley (at the end of the valley from Kaprun) up to the glacier. The skiing up there is great fun and even if you don't ski you can take another cable car up to the mountain peak restaurant at 10,500ft and enjoy lunch and spectacular views from the roof-top viewing terrace. If you do go, pick the sunniest day of your stay, as any cloud and you could be immersed in clag! A couple of photos from my last visit:

 

Higher pistes and snow park Kaprun_Glacier5.jpg

Higher pistes and snow park Kaprun_Glacier5.jpg

Absolutely agree! And if your feeling particularly adventurous ski down from the top restaurant, (beneath Blessed Wheather's first picture). Very steep but rewarding!

[johnholmes]

start gate for the Lauberhorn with most top runs open today, scroll through for Mannlichen and First (above Grindelwald) and a still of the Lauberhorn finish stands and TV stand. Considerably less snow than this time last year and 2 weeks or more later arriving.

http://panocam.skiline.cc/lauberhorn

 

I don't think the First ski area is open yet?

Edited December 13, 2014 by johnholmes

[Ali1977]

Latest GFS and P show jet digging further south at day 5, French alps could benefit from this, especially resorts above 1800 metres.

[J10]

Latest Blog out

 

https://forum.netweather.tv/blog/189/entry-4854-alps-weather-forecast-13-december-2014/

 

In Summary Not Good, with rising temps forecasted for the end of next week.

 

In particular there is a period of heavy precipitation expected for Northern part of the Alps form Wednesday to Friday, which could give 2 inches of rain to lower to medium slopes, with snow at the highest slopes, above 2200-2500m

 

So this is worth watching is the freezing level for this event could change, it would have a big impact on the snow conditions for these areas leading into Christmas.

Edited December 13, 2014 by J10

[Blessed Weather]

start gate for the Lauberhorn with most top runs open today, scroll through for Mannlichen and First (above Grindelwald) and a still of the Lauberhorn finish stands and TV stand. Considerably less snow than this time last year and 2 weeks or more later arriving.

http://panocam.skiline.cc/lauberhorn

 

I don't think the First ski area is open yet?

 

Hi John. Several skiing websites are reporting that First remains closed and the site below says "valley run closed". But there's conflicting dates given on the websites for the official opening date, varying from 6th Dec according to onthesnow.co.uk to 20th Dec by skiresortinfo below (if correct the latter would explain why it's closed!).

http://www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/grindelwaldfirst/snow-report/

[johnholmes]

for information here 

http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/tourism/travel-information/timetable/grindelwald/

like many resorts at medium level altitiudes lack of snow is currently a problem other than as indicated

[Blessed Weather]

Some mixed messages over the last 48 hours about how Austrian ski resorts are coping with current snow conditions. The ‘good news’ article posted today:

“Since last weekend many ski resorts have opened the lifts and slopes. Although the large amounts of snow are not there yet, many well-known ski resorts have opened the season: Ski Openings took place in almost all provinces at the weekend…â€

 

I’ve copied the list of resorts open, with their lower/upper depths and number of lifts open, into this chart:

 

Full article in Austrian http://www.wetter.at/wetter/oesterreich-wetter/Skisaion-20142015-ist-eroeffnet/168955033

 

The ‘bad news’ article on the Sat 13 Dec reveals that in the Vorarlberg region only a few resorts managed to open (mentioning Lech and Damuels).

“Only in a few places (in) Vorarlberg (were) permitted (by) the snow cover to start the ski season this weekend. In all other ski resorts Vorarlberg the plants were provisionally out of service - either too little or no snow, too warm for artificial snowmaking. Meteorologists give Vorarlberg lift operators and tourism earners no hope of rapid change: The foehn windy mountain weather holds.â€

 

Full article in Austrian http://www.wetter.at/wetter/oesterreich-wetter/Start-der-Ski-Saison-in-Vorarlberg/168767146

 

Footnote: Carinthian - nice to see Katschberg in 3rd place with snow depth!

[Blessed Weather]

Some good news from the FIS, with the green light given for the first Men's Downhill race from Val Gardena and the Super G from Alta Badia:
 

"After a last snow control which took place this Sunday morning FIS officials have confirmed the Audi FIS Ski World Cup races scheduled in Val Gardena/Groeden (ITA) on 19th-20th December 2014 and Alta Badia (ITA) on 21st December 2014."

 

With the poor natural snow, an incredible effort was put into getting the resort ready:

"A total of 50 staff members, six snow cats and 65 snow cannons have been in use since December 10th to finish the racing profile on the Saslong course."

Great photo of work going on through the night to get the finish area ready:

Edited December 15, 2014 by Blessed Weather