Worldwide Mountain & Snow Sports Discussion 2019/20

[Sceptical]

1 minute ago, matty40s said:

Unfortunately,  The Cairngorm one didnt work for most of last season, along with the funicular, and no action has been taken to improve uplift to the top during the Summer so bo doubt Aviemore will have a dire season again.

The decision making and ineptitude of the management there over the last 20 years is unbelievable.

Agreed.

Estimate to repair the Funicular £10 million.

Estimate to remove the Funicular £14 million - removal is a condition attached to planning consent.

Looks like a waste of Scottish tax payers money.

[johnholmes]

I would think it is touch and go for the Lauberhorn downhill being run on Saturday. Switching it to Sunday with the slalom on Saturday is looking a better bet. They may have time to clear the race track of the predicted snow Friday into Saturday?

Swiss Met link

sorry wrong link, it is the Lauberhorn start area just now

MeteoSwiss

WWW.METEOSWISS.ADMIN.CH

---

Acting on behalf of the Federal Government, MeteoSwiss provides various weather and climate services for the protection and benefit of Switzerland.

 

 

[Blessed Weather]

Shame about the timing with regard this weekend's Lauberhorn race, but some welcome snow arriving in the Alps today (Fri 17th). At a glance the GFS 500hPa chart doesn't look that promising, with low pressure way to the north of the Alps. But this morning's Fax Chart shows the long, trailing cold front heading towards the mountains.

And here's the NMM model's take on the band of precipitation at 16.00, and the cumulative snowfall expected through today and to 13.00 tomorrow.

Finally, a look at the Netweather Alps charts shows the rain arriving in the Western Alps, but unfortunately the freezing level at that time up around 1,500m. As the rain band moves east into the Swiss and Austrian Alps the freezing level will drop to around 900m overnight. But it's the common problem of the colder air behind the cold front arriving as the precipitation fizzles out.

Links:
Weather models http://www.meteociel.fr/modeles/
Fax Charts: https://www.weathercharts.org/ukmomslp.htm
Netweather Alps charts: https://www.netweather.tv/charts-and-data/alps

[Blessed Weather]

A few webcam images from this afternoon (17thJan) tell their own story:

France: Snowing hard in La Plagne centre at 1,980m and settling:

France: Snowing in Megeve town at 1,100m but not settling:

Switzerland: Weather closing in, but no snow yet on the Kleine Scheidegg - Lauberhorn 2,325m:

Austria: Meanwhile over in the eastern Alps, a lovely day in Seefeld:

Images: https://www.bergfex.com/oesterreich/webcams/

[johnholmes]

The KS one is actually the start hut for the downhill scheduled for tomorrow IF the snow does not cause it to be called off. If it is foggy with it at the top then they might start lower down if the race track is usable.

[HafrenLMP1]

Whilst not a winter sport, the Swedish Rally, part of the WRC, is meant to take place in 3 weeks; as the traditional 'winter' round of the season; taking place on snow & ice. However, the weather around the Karlstad area is not exactly wintery/ cold. No snow/ ice = no event. 

[johnholmes]

All is well in Wengen , the snow arrived 15-25 cm and the downhill was completed and to delight the Swiss one of their men won it, his third time of winning it. So the slalom is set for tomorrow. Don't be fooled by what looks like fairly shallow slopes on both the downhill and slalom on Ski Sunday. The downhill is steep enough but one part of the slalom is about a 75 degree slope. In summer it is almost impossible to walk up it without being on hands and knees. Next weekend the Hannenkarm (wrong spelling) at Kitzbuhel is similar.

Welcome to the Ski World Cup Lauberhorn in Wengen | Internationale Lauberhornrennen Wengen

WWW.LAUBERHORN.CH

---

Welcome to the Ski World Cup Lauberhorn in Wengen, Ski World Cup Wengen, FIS, AUDI

Video, I think, of Feuz winning, not had chance to open it myself

https://www.eurosport.co.uk/alpine-skiing/alpine-skiing-news-brilliant-feuz-beats-downhill-rival-paris-to-victory-in-wengen_sto7615770/story.shtml

Edited January 18, 2020 by johnholmes
adding link

[carinthian]

Morning all. First snowfall over night of the year ( 10cm ) Cold enough for snow making machine to operate today with forecast max of -5c on the slopes. My favourite kind of weather, sunshine, blue skies and snow flurries in a NEly breeze. High should settle over the region for much of next week but should be cold enough for snow blowers to be in full operation with hopefully no water restrictions.

C

[Hotspur62]

3 hours ago, carinthian said:

Morning all. First snowfall over night of the year ( 10cm ) Cold enough for snow making machine to operate today with forecast max of -5c on the slopes. My favourite kind of weather, sunshine, blue skies and snow flurries in a NEly breeze. High should settle over the region for much of next week but should be cold enough for snow blowers to be in full operation with hopefully no water restrictions.

C

Looks lovely over thereAfter all the snow in November and I think early December how did the snow cover fare as that is about 6 weeks without any fresh snow which is a hell of a long time!!I have people I know who have a place in Morzine,France which is only about 1000m asl and they are out there now and it doesn’t seem to have been too bad over there although not as good as Katschberg.Just curious to hear if all that snow very early in the season has lasted and helped the ski industry which has had a tough few years.

[carinthian]

1 hour ago, Hotspur61 said:

Looks lovely over thereAfter all the snow in November and I think early December how did the snow cover fare as that is about 6 weeks without any fresh snow which is a hell of a long time!!I have people I know who have a place in Morzine,France which is only about 1000m asl and they are out there now and it doesn’t seem to have been too bad over there although not as good as Katschberg.Just curious to hear if all that snow very early in the season has lasted and helped the ski industry which has had a tough few years.

Hello there, the snow has been preserved very well with all the best equipment available. We started with a good deep base which was important and although little snowfall so far this year the piste have been kept in prime condition. Lots of clear skies , so snow preserved during long cold nights and day time sunshine reflected. Worse when under cloud cover and fohn but thankfully that combination did not last long. The high cell centred more to the West and Nortb helps us in the Eastern Alps with a supply of chilly air, just like today.

[Katrine Basso]

I hope that I am posting in the right area:

 

 

 

[carinthian]

Lovely sunny morning. Piste in great condition after weekends snowfall. This is a picture of the long cruisy run into the village from the Aineck summit.

C

[carinthian]

Sunrise over the Katschberg Mountains this morning.

[J10]

Over the next week or so, very little snow is expected over the Alps, especially the next 3 days.

 

Kitzbuhel Next 6 days (Left)
Mostly dry, freezing levels ranging from 1450m to 2500m after today.

Meribel Next 6 days (Right)

Dry into this weekend, 14cm of snow currently forecast for next Tuesday with freezing levels ranging from 1700m to 2000m after today.

Edited January 23, 2020 by J10

[ItNeverSnowsInWindsor]

What’s it looking like for the Alps in February ?

[Blessed Weather]

Hello from Les Menuires in the French Alps. Arrived yesterday, Sat 25th, and grabbed this pic in between unpacking - terrific views from our apartment in the Reberty area at about 2,000m elevation.

I'm hoping that wasn't the last opportunity of taking in the views as the weather today has been intermittent snowfall and poor light. And the forecast for the rest of the week is for snowfall after snowfall from Mon evening through to Thursday. Here's the cumulative snowfall being forecast by Arpege from today through to Thurs lunchtime. Over 1m of snow for higher elevations. 

@prolongedSnowLover I think the first half of Feb could turn out OK judging by recent GFS runs. But we need to see continued signs of high pressure to the west of the UK with cold/snowy incursions coming down the eastern flank and impacting the Alps. If recent runs turn out near the mark, probably benefiting the northern and eastern Alps (Austria) the most. Fingers crossed.

[johnholmes]

I can,t complain for my winter break. Five days unbroken sun, yucky start to today but several hours of snow since, still coming down. About 8-9 cm, Wengen does not go in for the mega amounts other parts of the Alps do. Much reduced uphill transport for parts of the area due high winds yet again.

Sorry no photos, issues with my camera transfers, will try I Pad tomorrow

None sorry, all fell apart on train back to Geneva airport. Had passport, money, mobile, camera and IPad stolen. Won't bore you with details but had to spend, eventually got a hotel, for another 4 nights waiting to get to Berne British Embassy for temporary passport. On top of which became quite ill in hotel with doctor called, 450 sfr, but will get most back, but gawd knows how much for equipment, still  rather groggy after getting home last evening hence not been on here but love the photos I've just looked at.

not put me off the Jungfrau region though, be there in summer and booking for next winter. Individual folk lovely supportive and helpful, Easy-Jet ?, British consulate in Geneva ???, Geneva police=strong protest when feel up to it at my treatment, British Embassy and their emergency line on Saturday=v good. Be warned IF you ever lose your passport it is the very devil even IF you manage to persuade the local police to allow you to fill in a robbery report trying to get a h

Sorry to clutter up the thread but it may help someone in the future.

Edited February 5, 2020 by johnholmes

[Blessed Weather]

Heavy snow and gusty wind in Les Menuires today (Tues 28th Jan). Probably about 20cms so far and it's not forecast to ease off until tomorrow lunchtime with a further 30cms. Here with friends and it was a unanimous decision to not bother with skiing in these conditions - more enjoyment from a good lunch and a few beers.
A few seconds of video from our balcony:

 

[carinthian]

Lovely morning in Katschberg. Sunny skies after a fresh fall of snow. Perfect.

C

[Blessed Weather]

And so another week's skiing comes to an end. A bit of a mixed bag of weather with 2 day's of snow and gusty wind in sub-zero temps and now at the end of the week feeling like a Spring trip with temps in Les Menuire resort (1,850m) up to +4C in the sunshine. But a great week with lots of amazing skiing across the 3 Valleys. A few pics:

Snowdrifts on parked cars outside apartment:

Val Thoren:

Les Menuire:

Meribel:

[carinthian]

Sunny start over the local mountain top.

C

[carinthian]

Think we are in for a melt day today. Warmth in the morning sun , already 7c on the slopes. Beer and sun tan day me thinks!

 

[Harve]

17c forecast tomorrow. This is at 450m, but it won't be much better at ski resort level. An already mild and drizzly 11c right now, but the real warmth hasn't moved over from the west yet - 26.5c was recorded today in the Basque Country in the southwest of France. You could even call that hot.

Edited February 2, 2020 by Harve

[Reefseeker]

22 hours ago, Harve said:

17c forecast tomorrow. This is at 450m, but it won't be much better at ski resort level. An already mild and drizzly 11c right now, but the real warmth hasn't moved over from the west yet - 26.5c was recorded today in the Basque Country in the southwest of France. You could even call that hot.

I notice you are in Haute Savoie. We went to Samoens years ago and I absolutely loved it, vowed to go back and never have. I heard there is now a gondola in the village/town centre making the skiing more accessible. Do you happen to have any information? It seemed such an atmospheric little place yet largely undiscovered.

[Blessed Weather]

Should be another good fall of snow across the Alps today as a cold NW'ly incursion drops down the eastern flank of the UK high pressure ridge. The issue will be how low freezing level can get with Netweather charts suggesting 1,000m for the western Alps (France) and 800m for eastern Alps (Austria). Here's the GFS charts showing 500hPa pattern and temps at 850hPa (approx 1,500m) and Netweather chart for freezing level at midday:

And the Euro4 high res model's take on snowfall today:

Cumulative snowfall by mid-night tonight:

At the moment the GFS model suggesting a repeat next Tues 11th Feb too: