Worldwide Mountain & Snow Sports Discussion 2017/18

[Blessed Weather]

For us mountain lovers this report from NOAA/Climate makes very depressing reading:

Mountain glaciers (1980–2017)

Based on the preliminary data, 2017, is likely to be the 38^th year in a row of mass loss of mountain glaciers worldwide. According to the State of the Climate in 2017, “The cumulative mass balance loss from 1980 to 2016 is -19.9 meters, the equivalent of cutting a 22-meter-thick (72-foot-thick) slice off the top of the average glacier."

Graph of yearly loss 1980 - 2017:

Full report: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/state-climate-highlights/2017

[carinthian]

Perfect summers morning in Katschberg. This is the back of the local Kareck Mountain in the pristine Gontal Valley at 1850m absl about 1 hours hike from the village. Looks like some snow patches remain on the way to the summit. Great weather presently and getting hot.

C

[J10]

Some heavy snow for the highest slopes in Solden.

 

[seaside 60]

Wow pretty impressive snow fall seeing as its the end of August,

The Edlewisse cam shows what appears to be about 10 inches of snow fell.

Sure it wont last long lol.

[carinthian]

Current picture from nearby Obertauren. Snow level very low for August this morning. 

C

[carinthian]

Snow right now in August ! Picture of one of my favourite bars, the infamous Edelweiss Alm in Obertauren.

C

[Bradowl]

Lots of snow photos and videos on Europe severe weather facebook group this morning. Over 30cm of Snow in places with temps as low as -8C 

[Aleman]

https://www.snow-forecast.com/whiteroom/august-snowfall-in-the-alps-up-to-30cm-falls/

[Blessed Weather]

It won't be long now! And to wet our appetites for the upcoming winter a great photo of the first snowfall at Moraine Lake, Banff, on 14th Sept.

https://twitter.com/attila_thefun/status/1040740567670353920

[Blessed Weather]

1st October 2018 and some decent snowfall arrives in the Alps, accumulating over the next 36 hours. It won't last at this time of the year, but nice to see!!

[Reefseeker]

On 13/05/2018 at 18:46, Reefseeker said:

It's snowing in Les Arcs this afternoon:)

 

Thank you @Blessed Weather for the heads-up that the Alps are getting a bit of a covering. I last posted an image of snow in Les Arcs on 13 May; this morning the webcams are showing snow falling (yippee) but nothing on the ground yet (ah well). It's on again:)

[johnholmes]

Yes, in common with many parts of the higher Alsps, this is the link to the start of the Lauberhorn Race along with Mannlichen and First (above Grindelwald)

https://panocam.skiline.cc/maennlichen1?cu=en-GB

 

[J10]

On 16/09/2018 at 07:51, Blessed Weather said:

It won't be long now! And to wet our appetites for the upcoming winter a great photo of the first snowfall at Moraine Lake, Banff, on 14th Sept.

https://twitter.com/attila_thefun/status/1040740567670353920

that is stunning.

[Paul]

Banff again, 30cm overnight

 

[Blessed Weather]

Webcam watching alert!!

Some great looking charts starting to appear on the horizon that should give the Alps some substantial early season snowfall. The high pressure over the UK looks set to sufficiently pull back to allow much colder, unsettled conditions to move down from the N/NW. Here's a few charts to whet the appetite. The detail will, of course, look different come the date, but certainly reasons to be optimistic! The first chart shows the ECM & GFS 3-day 500hPa means from 26th-28th Oct with arrow pointing to the Alps. Then a couple charts from this morning's 0z runs (ECM Oct 27th and GFS Nov 4th):

The FIS Skiing World Cup calendar kicks off with the Men's Grand Slalom from Solden, Austria, on Oct 27th - 28th, so hopefully snow snow covered mountains for the first event! Link to calendar: https://data.fis-ski.com/global-links/calendar.html

[Interitus]

14 hours ago, Blessed Weather said:

The FIS Skiing World Cup calendar kicks off with the Men's Grand Slalom from Solden, Austria, on Oct 27th - 28th, so hopefully snow snow covered mountains for the first event! Link to calendar: https://data.fis-ski.com/global-links/calendar.html

Should be some fresh snow there, but worth noting that the event takes place 1200 metres above Solden on the Rettenbach glacier at up between 2500-2900 metres. The season starts in September and in theory could be open all year.

[Blessed Weather]

6 hours ago, Interitus said:

Should be some fresh snow there, but worth noting that the event takes place 1200 metres above Solden on the Rettenbach glacier at up between 2500-2900 metres. The season starts in September and in theory could be open all year.

Yes, hopefully the Alps will soon take on its winter coating of snow! Solden has a special place in my heart and where I caught the skiing bug - I went there on a school trip back in 1966. Seemed to take days on board a sleeper train. It was my first time skiing and the skis were monster wooden things with terrible bindings. I've still got all the memorabilia (pics below) including my suitcase label and the postcard I sent home saying "I don't like Austrian food"!! (I love it now!). And if you want a chuckle, read the "Customs Regulations" at the bottom of the "Crossing the Frontier". What a shame you could only take one type-writer and one record-player with you!! 

[Aleman]

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/10/25/several-ski-resorts-new-england-opening-early-after-blast-cold-air/71qvoOyxAeI2BRMrNclg0I/story.html