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Glacier watch: 07 November

6th November 2009, by Chris Gill

Pitztal 7 November

07 November

Could winter have arrived at last? It has been a pretty stormy session in many alpine resorts this week with snow falling heavily above 2000m and to lower levels in some parts. France and Italy saw the best of it. This is good news for the high slopes, which are now forming a decent base for the winter ahead. But many lower resorts are still waiting for colder weather.

Austria

The fresh snow has kept the glaciers in good shape and this is building quite a significant base now. A brief settled spell is giving a glorious Saturday on the slopes before more showers arrive.

Hintertux (170cm): The Tux is in excellent shape, with another 20cm fresh snow to add to the already substantial snow depths and skiing between 2100m-3250m. There are 18 lifts and 60km terrain available.

Stubai (10-110cm): It’s Testival time this weekend and a great, sunny Saturday is in store for visitors. Fresh snow fell during the week, giving great packed powder on the 15 slopes. 19 lifts are now open. It’s stayed cool, with showers expected to return from Sunday.

Molltal (170cm): in Carinthia. Snowfall has been quite good in the region, with 20cm added this week. The resort is now reporting 28km piste available and a terrain park. The winds are light, the snow packed powder. Visibility is variable because the light winds this week have meant fog /low cloud has plagued some parts of Austria.

Sölden (86cm): Conditions have remained good on the glacier with fresh snowfall and more to come – the resort reports a forecast of snow showers for much of next week. There is about 35km piste.

Pitztal (84cm): Glorious day on the Pitztal on Saturday 7 November. The resort has six lifts open at present and good snow conditions on the pistes.

Kitzsteinhorn / Kaprun (6-84cm): It’s certainly a “White Start” in the ski area this week– the free gear-test event kicks off the new season and there has been fresh snowfall: 3cm reported on Saturday (7 Nov). Further showers are expected next week. All but two lifts are open.

Kaunertal (94cm – 124cm): The ski area has enjoyed about 20-30cm fresh snow this week. From Saturday 7 November, all lifts are now open on the glacier. There is a decent terrain park too.

*Dachstein *(90cm) Most of the glacier is now open, with four lifts and three slopes available. It remains cool enough to preserve snow conditions too. The Horsefeathers’ Pleasure Jam takes place on 13 Nov (more terrain park antics!)

France

What a relief! France had some of the heaviest snow this week.
Tignes is transformed: up to 30cm has fallen on the Grande Motte glacier, and there’s about 10cm at Le Lac level. Not bad considering the resort was limping along on 5cm a week ago.

The season has started on the Zugspitze glacier

Germany

Zugspitze glacier (10-110cm) is now open for the season, with most lifts and slopes available. Fresh powder is giving good riding conditions

Switzerland

Engelberg (50cm) is not open for skiing/boarding at present, but expects to be from 21 November. St Moritz (30cm): The Diavolezza glacier has limited skiing on one slope. The Corviglia sector is due to open at the end of the month.
Saas Fee (106cm) and Zermatt are looking good. Snow refreshed the pistes mid-week, to resort level in Saas (1850m). The Snowboard World Cup is taking place on the Allalin this weekend; six lifts and eight slopes are open too.

Glacier 3000 (5-41cm): With new snow, the resort has opened more terrain around Scex Rouge to join the terrain park and Dôme draglift. There are 6km of cross-country trails available too. The best freestyle riders will be in the resort on 12 November for the ‘Invitational’ event in the park.

Italy

Italy east gained more snowfall than predicted this week, notably the Dolomites where between 20-50cm fell (up to 80cm was reported on the Marmolada glacier).
Val Senales: most glacier lifts are now open, with 10cm new snow reported Friday. It’s ski test time there between 14 and 21 November.
Presena: Passo Tonale’s Presena glacier is now open with one lift and run available. And it’s snowing there on Monday 9 November.
Cervina (20-70cm): The lifts are now open daily on the Plateau Rosa, with 20cm of new snow reported.

KEY EVENTS COMING UP

Date	Event	Location
5-8 November	Sportscheck Glacier Testival	Stubai, Austria
7-8 November	The White Start	Kitzsteinhorn, Austria
12 November	Glacier 3000 Invitational	Les Diablerets, Switzerland
13 November	Horsefeather’s Pleasure Jam	Dachstein, Austria
14-15 November	SAAC 2-day avalanche camps	Stubai, Austria
20-22 November	Telemark festival	Stubai, Austria
28 November	Opening gig – K Perry	Ischgl, Austria
28-29 November	St Moritz City Race	St Moritz, Switzerland
28-29 November	FIS World Cup racing	Lake Louise, Canada

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