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Glacier watch: 21 November

21st November 2009, by Chris Gill

Italy's Presena / Passo Tonale - 21 Nov

What’s going on? The thermometer recorded 15-19 degrees in Austria’s Arlberg region on Friday and alpine resorts are watching their snow thaw under sunny skies or rain. Green and brown slopes are not what we want to see right now! More resorts have opened this week, but away from the glaciers there is little to rave about.

There is better news for next week we hope: the high pressure sat over the Alps is slipping away, with some snowfall predicted at altitude. Huge quantities are unlikely, though the glaciers should stay in good shape.

Austria

Conditions are fair, with shady north-facing slopes best. It is forecast to become quite windy over the next few days. And reports suggest a lowering of the freezing level to 1600m initially, but rising again mid-week, with rain or light snow showers.

Hintertux (170cm): There are 17 lifts and 61km terrain available, with slopes open to 2100m.

Stubai (20-110cm): Nearly all lifts and slopes are open, giving 74km and some of the most extensive skiing on offer at present.

Molltal (170cm): There are still five lifts and 35km slopes open.

Sölden (78cm): A little more snow loss, but 60km piste is still providing sufficient action. Tuesday’s forecast rain doesn’t look too great – it is 6 degrees at present too.

Pitztal (92cm): Six lifts are operating and it has been generally dry and sunny.

Kitzsteinhorn / Kaprun (53cm): Good conditions are still reported and it has stayed cool enough on the upper slopes to preserve the snow.

Kaunertal (88-117cm): There has been the inevitable snow loss, but the resort reports a 3cm refresh this week. Eight lifts are still operating.

Dachstein (90cm) No significant changes reported.

Looking fine on the Tignes glacier mid-week …

France

Snow is expected above 1800m from tomorrow (Sunday), with a strong westerly wind blowing. Tignes (50cm): The Grande Motte is in good shape from the recent dumps. And Val Thorens opened last weekend. Les Deux Alpes is set to join them on 28 November, but current snow depths are only 20cm at 3000m.

Germany

Zugspitze glacier (110cm): Four lifts are running, but the snow is described as ‘old’ – we think they mean worn and possibly spring-like!

Italy

Open areas include Val Senales (50cm) and Cervina (70cm). And the Presena Glacier (130cm) has two lifts running, but the snowy scene of last week is disappearing fast on the resort slopes.

Switzerland

Laax/Flims (80cm) The Vorab glacier received 5cm snow on Monday, but things have warmed-up since then. 28/29 November is ski test and Burton Movie Tour weekend. Saas Fee (150cm): Reports say 8cm snow fell on Thursday, but otherwise conditions are similar to the rest of the Alps. Zermatt has only 25km slopes open at present and nine lifts. The temperature on Friday was 3 degrees at 2929m! Some sleet is forecast for the early part of next week, but it doesn’t look as though it will amount to much. Glacier 3000 (40cm): has five lifts running. Engelberg has reopened the Titlis glacier slopes, following lift maintenance.

And a rather less snowy Findeln in Zermatt

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