Alps & Pyrenees Snow Thread 2015/16

[J10]

On 15/12/2015 at 10:25 PM, Blessed Weather said:

Hi Dan. In these desperate times, worth thinking outside the box - but as you say, too expensive. However, there are several resorts in the Alps that have 'snow stores' they operate at locations further up in the mountains where the high altitude and topography is conducive to snow accumulation. Then when poor snow conditions in the resort warrants, it is lorried into the resort. Probably not been enough snow so far this season for even that to operate!

So how about this idea from a resort in the Jura mountains in France. They store snow from the previous season under wood chips, allowing them to open their Nordic skiing course the following season, even if it's a poor start snow-wise. Here's an article about it:

Until the first winter offensive in the Jura, one discovers the snow from last season kept under wood chips
This is a process used for some years in the Jura, near the stadium of Tuffes. Snow that fell last season is preserved under the wood chips. Thanks to the insulating properties of the wood, only 20% of the initial volume would be lost. The staff of the National Centre Prémanon began to remove chips for spreading white gold, so as to make a small loop of cross country pending the arrival of other flakes hopefully next weekend.

http://www.ledauphine.com/skichrono/2015/11/17/jura-la-neige-a-fait-son-apparition

I seem to recall the Sochi organisers doing something similar, storing snow from previous seasons, in order to "guarantee" snow, so while the temps were very mild in the mountains around Sochi during the Winter Olympics , the skiing conditions were always decent, even if the type of snow did catch out some teams with their ski wax preparation.

[weathertoski]

6.4c max at 2800m (La Masse above Les Menuires) today and 12.4c at 1850m in Alpe d'Huez!

[J10]

Time for the latest update form Ski Club GB, and it is not pleasant reading.

SNOW NEWS UPDATED 17 DECEMBER 2015

Indeed it does and here are the links with the summary below. The Ski Club full version also covers forecasts for Scandinavia, Scotland and North America. The full update also has some details on what resorts are planning to open this weekend and those which are seeing their opening delayed.

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

http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/snowreports/overview/default.aspx#.Vm9A1l4vAsU

INTRODUCTION Despite some fresh snowfall above 2000m overnight into Thursday, conditions continue to slowly deteriorate across the Alps as the warm westerly flow of Atlantic air shows no sign of abating. There is little (if any) off piste to speak of at present, although a few fresh tracks could be found on Thursday in western Austria and eastern Switzerland at altitude. Elsewhere sticking to the pistes was the order of the day, most of which were softening due to mild temperatures of around +5C at mid-mountain level for all but the highest resorts. That being said it is remarkable how much terrain is open despite the conditions and this is purely down to artificial snow. Even the almost snowless Dolomiti Superski area in Italy was able to prepare 531km of pistes on Thursday, 50km more than on Monday despite little more than 1cm of natural snowfall.

EUROPEAN WEATHER OUTLOOK Yet more mild weather is forecast for the Alps this week, with temperatures forecast to rise well above zero for all but the very highest resorts during the day. This will continue to affect the snow conditions, especially as no significant snowfall is forecast between now and Christmas Day. Some light snow and cooler temperatures are predicted for the northern Alps on Monday and Wednesday, but any snow looks to be very light in nature and temperatures are set to only drop to around freezing at mid-mountain level. The same can be expected in the Pyrenees, with the mild westerly airflow remaining firmly in place in the run up to Christmas. This could bring a few clouds at times, particularly on Wednesday 23rd when a few snow flurries are expected.

Edited December 17, 2015 by J10

[Blessed Weather]

With the lack of natural snow at present, and so the reliance on artificial snow, the following report on the environmental impact of the use of artificial snow makes for interesting reading. Sorry it's a rather long post, but maybe us winter sports/mountain lovers should be aware of the impact?

Snow cannons have long been a self-evident part of the wintry landscape image - not only in Tyrol. The ecologist Christian Newesely examines the impact of the massive use of artificial snow on the alpine environment.

The Austrian ski areas together have many thousands of kilometers of ski slopes, alone in Tyrol there are 3000. In order to be economically viable it’s very important in the winter season to ensure reliable snow conditions. Thus it must be resorted to artificial snow for a large part of these areas.

The snow machines are thus used from the beginning of November in warm weather as bearers of hope for the white slopes. But it should not be called "snow", for what is sprayed from the snow cannons is actually not the correct term, says Newesely from the Institute of Ecology: "If you look at it closely, a snow gun can produce no snow. In the snowmaking equipment there occurs a fine atomization of water that is mixed at appropriate temperatures with air. This results in small frozen droplets that echoes the forms of plums, but is not the typical natural snow crystals. "

The artificial, smooth ice formed from the guns falls onto the slope and combines very well and compresses. The resulting hard artificial snow surfaces are what skiers best know. What is lacking, however, is air. The (natural) hexagonal snow crystals allow sufficient space for air that would allow the underlying soils to breath.

With the repeated grooming of the slopes, the snowpack becomes highly compressed. The rounded shape of the artificial snow favours the densification whilst the heat insulation capability of the snow cover decreases. "If the air is now increasingly squeezed out during the winter, the ground (beneath) becomes very cold. Meltwater that forms on warm days on the snow surface, seeps into the ground surface and freezes there in massive ice sheets," said Newesely. "These ice sheets prevent the air exchange between soil and atmosphere and for the plants and soil animals oxygen can no longer be resupplied. This has fatal consequences for the bottom dwellers. Many plants suffocate"

The consequences of this are dying (plants) at the end of the winter season, even with the naked eye visible: On the slopes, it may lead to soil erosion, as the vegetation is recovering only very slowly. "With the dying roots, the soil goes missing (with no) screws and nails that hold him."

The habitat in the high mountains is characterized by short, often interrupted summer. Even small differences in the direction and slope take a major impact on the living conditions there. The importance of plant roots for stable soils brings therefore especially in the high alpine area brings big challenges.

Newesely has for several decades been working on the impact of artificial snow on alpine ecosystems. Here, the scientist turns his attention not only to the slopes, but sees his work in the context of regional socio-political developments. "As an ecologist, it is very important to me to consider all the aspects that brings the production of artificial snow" says Newesely. Power and water consumption are those two great keywords.

The extent of the artificial snow-making is made palpable through comparisons: "In the Tirol the same amount of water is used for snowmaking purposes in the winter months as spent in the cities of Innsbruck, Telfs, Kufstein and Schwaz together in the consumption of one year’s drinking water. This water is deprived of our (other) water (requirements) and saved to a large extent in the 200 purpose built Tyrolean (mountain) reservoirs. The reservoirs are especially necessary to have the large amount of water for snowmaking in a short time. "

Whilst the scientist does not want the artificial snow he fundamentally recognises the importance for a good development of tourism and related jobs. "Rapid changes are neither feasible nor justifiable. However, the ecological awareness still has to come first," Newesely is convinced.

http://www.wetter.at/wetter/oesterreich-wetter/Skifahren-Was-Kunstschnee-von-echtem-Schnee-unterscheidet/216440777

[J10]

I have done the blog for the week leading up to Christmas for the Alps.

for those who would like some reassurance that conditions will look better, unfortunately there isn't really any.

https://forum.netweather.tv/blogs/entry/4911-alps-ski-and-snow-forecast-blog-issued-18-december/

Many thanks for all the comments about the blogs, last week, if there are other suggestions please let me know.

Next weeks blog will be on Christmas Eve (Thursday)

[J10]

Paul has also very kindly put the forecast on the main page.

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=news;storyid=7063;sess=

 

 

[J10]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35144320

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/snowandski/skiing-news/12056101/Warm-slow-start-to-snow-in-the-Alps-causes-concern.html

Recent reports into the lack of snow cover in the Alps. No surprise to anyone,

Edited December 20, 2015 by J10

[carinthian]

 CThat picture tells a story. Even a busy high resort like Obertauren is failing to attract visitors. Normally the week before Christmas that mountain fodder hutte would be packed with early morning skiers. Even on a beautiful morning such as this its a sad reflection to the start of the ski-ing season. Good hiking weather though.

C

[Harve]

3 hours ago, carinthian said:

 CThat picture tells a story. Even a busy high resort like Obertauren is failing to attract visitors. Normally the week before Christmas that mountain fodder hutte would be packed with early morning skiers. Even on a beautiful morning such as this its a sad reflection to the start of the ski-ing season. Good hiking weather though.

C

People would be on a terrace at 9am?. At least in France, it makes sense for the higher resorts to actually benefit as people change their plans. 

[weathertoski]

A few cm of snow above 2000m in some north-western parts of the Alps today but rain below (e.g. Morzine) and the vast majority of the Alp remained dry. One thing we can be certain of is that there won't be any significant snow in the Alps for at least a week, quite possibly longer. The models have been hinting at a pattern change towards the New Year but I'm not convinced yet. It's not going to be pretty when the serious crowds descend on the 26/27th...

Edited December 21, 2015 by weathertoski

[carinthian]

There she goes again. Another cloudless day dawns. More of the same, sunny mild days and clear frosty nights. Short days keeping the man made snow pistes intact. Otherwise its a barren Christmas landscape. Not sure what the visitors think.

C

[weathertoski]

1 hour ago, carinthian said:

There she goes again. Another cloudless day dawns. More of the same, sunny mild days and clear frosty nights. Short days keeping the man made snow pistes intact. Otherwise its a barren Christmas landscape. Not sure what the visitors think.

C

My theory is that as long as it's sunny and uncrowded, most people are happy, even with minimal snow cover.  In situations like this it's clouds and crowds is what will cause problems. Looks like there will be plenty of sun over the next week or so, but I dread to think what is going to happen when the everyone descends en-mass after Christmas (at least in the major resorts)... 

[carinthian]

49 minutes ago, weathertoski said:

My theory is that as long as it's sunny and uncrowded, most people are happy, even with minimal snow cover.  In situations like this it's clouds and crowds is what will cause problems. Looks like there will be plenty of sun over the next week or so, but I dread to think what is going to happen when the everyone descends en-mass after Christmas (at least in the major resorts)... 

A lot of folk will be paying premium prices for the Christmas and New Year period. Ski-ing will be secondary to feasting, I think. I tried out the piste in the picture and its not very enjoyable to ski and the view at the top looks more like The Atlas Mountains of Morocco. However, as you say serious skiers will be en mass from January with the lower prices, to few pistes to cope with the numbers, would end up dangerous and far from enjoyable. We need SNOWFALL in abundance and soon!

C

Edited December 22, 2015 by carinthian

[Ravelin]

Anyone in the Alps still renting out Mountain Bikes?

[Norrance]

Just for once I am happy to have a dodgy knee. I didn't commit to the family skiing get together in Italy over New Year due to ligament damage. Looks like I have saved myself a bit of money!

My daughter is however committed to going to the Aosta Valley in mid January. Hopefully there will be some snow by then.

[Nights King]

1 hour ago, Norrance said:

Just for once I am happy to have a dodgy knee. I didn't commit to the family skiing get together in Italy over New Year due to ligament damage. Looks like I have saved myself a bit of money!

My daughter is however committed to going to the Aosta Valley in mid January. Hopefully there will be some snow by then.

 

I feel somewhat relieved that I have booked a different type of ski holiday to levi finland because although it is mild for them at least it is still cold enough for snow!  

[weathertoski]

Lovely shape to the end of the latest GFS op run! You gotta clutch at  some straws at times like these...

[Ravelin]

9 minutes ago, weathertoski said:

Lovely shape to the end of the latest GFS op run! You gotta clutch at  some straws at times like these...

Yeah, end of the Euro High and snow for the Alps from 3rd onwards on that run. I predict that this will be entirely accurate, even at this long range, because we fly home from Austria on the 2nd.

[J10]

Time for the latest update from Ski Club GB, and once again it is not pleasant reading.

SNOW NEWS UPDATED 21 DECEMBER 2015

Indeed it does and here are the links with the summary below. The Ski Club full version also covers forecasts for Scandinavia, Scotland and North America. The full update also has some details on what resorts are planning to open this weekend and those which are seeing their opening delayed.

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

http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/snowreports/overview/default.aspx#.Vm9A1l4vAsU

INTRODUCTION Once again there is little change to report in the Alps, with no significant new snowfall for almost four weeks now. Monday 21st December was slightly cooler and cloudier for many, with up to 5cm of new snow possible in parts of the northern Alps - although this will only fall above 1800m. There is undoubtedly less snow in the Alps than there should be at this time of year, but if you stay high or stick to the runs covered by snow machines the skiing is actually quite good, this coming from numerous reports from Ski Club staff and members. The only real problem area is the southern French and Italian Alps, where the terrain on offer is extremely limited due to fewer snow making windows than further north. The outlook is not calling for any significant change before Christmas and possibly before New Year. However the longer-term weather models are looking much more positive for early January, so fingers crossed that these hold true.

EUROPEAN WEATHER OUTLOOK Following the brief blip of cloudy weather on Monday, a return to the sunny and mild conditions of late is expected from Tuesday onwards. Overnight lows and daytime highs are currently expected to be slightly lower than of late however, with the freezing level peaking at around 2,200m rather than 2,500-3,000m as they have been recently. This should enable snow machines to fire overnight which should help add to the dwindling natural cover. There is no significant change in the long range forecast until after New Year, when the first breakdown in over a month of the high pressure system looks set to occur. This may change however, but in recent days all of the major forecasting models are converging on a change finally happening, fingers crossed! Temperatures should however remain below freezing at night to enable snow machines to fire which is vitally important. The current high pressure system is so large that the sunny and mild weather conditions extend right across into Eastern Europe, and the forecast here is not likely to change either. If anything temperatures may be slightly higher, with mid-mountain highs of around +6C expected rather than +2C in the Alps.

 

[carinthian]

Good Morning from sunny Austria. Pictures yesterday of the run into St Margaretten. First picture is of the A1 which is a super 7 km run. Note the fog in the valley. Second picture the final run into the village still shrouded in the freezing fog. Funny day yesterday , warmer at the top station 2200m than in the base station at 1000m. The snow on the piste is mostly man made prepared to perfection. An amazing result considering the snow drought over here and much of the Alps.

 C

[Duane S.]

Slowly but surely hope is emerging. The difference is that 1 week ago the succeeding 10 days was set in stone, as in there was virtually 0% chance of any meaningful snow. Roll on 7 days to today and the same certainly cannot be said of the next 10 days (from the end of the month onwards). Maybe not enough ppn to beef up the base for my week in the Alps from the 3rd of Jan but at least there is a decent possibility that the Euro high will have shifted and the temperature will drop down to something more seasonal.

Edited December 24, 2015 by s4lancia

[J10]

I have just completed the Pre Christmas Blog and perhaps a change to much colder conditions from around next Tuesday next week.

https://forum.netweather.tv/blogs/entry/4912-alps-ski-and-snow-forecast-blog-issued-24-december/

 

[J10]

Time for the latest update from Ski Club GB, and while the current conditions are not generally the best, on piste conditions are decent given the mild weather, more especially to the east of and over the highest slopes. While there signs that things are set to possibly improve into next week.

SNOW NEWS UPDATED 24 DECEMBER 2015

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

http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/snowreports/overview/default.aspx#.Vm9A1l4vAsU

INTRODUCTION Yet again sunny skies and unseasonably mild temperatures were the order of the day in the Alps on Christmas Eve. Snow depths are well below where they should be for the time of year, but if you head to the right places some decent skiing can still be found. For the best conditions head to Austria's glaciers, the Arlberg Region, the high resorts of Switzerland, the Italian Dolomites or the French Savoie region. Elsewhere skiing is more limited, especially at lower resorts where snowmaking has not been possible in recent days due to the warm weather.

EUROPEAN WEATHER OUTLOOK There is little change to report on for the Alps over Christmas, with sunny skies and mild temperatures currently expected over the festive weekend. No new snow is forecast and freezing levels looks set to reach as high as 3,000m over the weekend, before dropping back slightly in the run up to New Year, particularly on Tuesday when a few snow showers are predicted for the northern Alps. The big story however is the first appearance in recent days of a significant change to the weather pattern that has been in charge for a month now, currently scheduled for New Year's Eve and into the first week of January when a Polar Vortex begins to set up. Latest forecasts are looking very positive, with some snowy weather on the horizon but this is still some way off so things may change significantly over the Christmas weekend. By the time of our next update on Tuesday 29th December we will know a lot more about the forecast, so keep an eye for the update at 1.30pm.

Expect very similar conditions for the Pyrenees, with mild temperatures and sunny skies forecast right through the Christmas period. Temperatures look set to sit at around +5C at mid-mountain level during the day, but should drop back below freezing overnight to firm up the snow.

I wish all of the readers of this thread a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2016.

[Blessed Weather]

A very Happy Christmas to all on the Alps & Pyrenees thread - the friendliest on Netweather (followed closely by the lovely people in the SE & EA Regional thread)!!

Well over here in the Black Forest skiing resort of Feldberg it's more like summer. Because of it's position this resort should receive 2m of snow every winter and Dec temps should average 0.7C. But this Christmas people (including me) are strolling around in t-shirts and enjoying beers and coffees sat in the sun. All very enjoyable - but a day on the piste is sooo much better!!

This is my 8th visit here and the first without snow. For your info (and hopefully enjoyment), here's what it can look like:

And sadly, this year's sorry picture of the pistes. Not good news for a small resort that relies heavily on visitors during holidays such as Christmas and over weekends, as it's not a resort people book for their main week's skiing holiday.

But onwards and upwards with this season, so here's hoping the signs for a change in weather type as we move into January are on the money!

[Daniel*]

Dreamy:

The snow drought would become a distant memory.