Where to Ski And Snowboard -

Snow overview: 30 April

30th April 2010, by Chris Gill

Zermatt is due some snow this weekend

They are closing out on a snowy note …

Apart from the glacier resorts, the last remaining ski areas open in Europe will shut this weekend. But some look to be finishing with a powder day: after a week or two of sunny skies and thawing snow fields, there is some change on the way for France and Switzerland that could just dump a modest covering of the white stuff in places. So how is it all shaping up for a spot of glacier skiing?

Austria

Conditions on the glaciers are fine; but there has been little snow since mid-April. Good news is that some areas are expecting a few snow showers over the weekend, so this could refresh the pistes on the highest areas.

Hintertux (305cm): The Tux is in excellent shape as usual. Up to 72km of slopes and 18 lifts are still running under blue skies. With settled snow depths this healthy, it’s looking the best bet for some late spring skiing or boarding.

Stubai (180cm): Conditions are fine considering the warm and sunny spell lately. It is warm, but not overly so up there. 17 lifts and 24 slopes are open at present.

Molltal : (170cm): With one of the deepest snow bases in Austria at present, the Molltal is in good shape for spring skiing. There are six lifts running and 53km piste open – until 16 May. Summer skiing kicks off on 27 June.

Sölden : (224cm): Snow is forecast for the Sölden glaciers over the weekend. There is 35km piste open and eight lifts, so ample to play on at present. It is still relatively mild up there, though is cooling down as more changeable weather moves in.

Pitztal : Piste skiing is still very good at Pitztal, with snowfall predicted for the weekend. Sunday could see the heaviest snow. The lifts are due to remain open until 16 May

Kitzsteinhorn / Kaprun (135cm): There has been a little fresh snow on Friday (3cm) – not a lot, but they are due a little more over the weekend. Most lifts are open on the glacier, except the top cable car.

Kaunertal (144cm): There has been a dusting of new snow this week. Again frequent snow showers are due to arrive over the weekend. The area currently has six lifts running.

France

Snow cover has kept well to the end in Val d’ Isère, due to close this weekend. Tignes will keep some lifts going for another week

Switzerland

Head this way … Some fairly heavy snowfall is expected in Switzerland during the next few days, which could substantially refresh the glacier slopes and good powder skiing.

Saas Fee : The last snowfall was on Monday this week, when there was a 5cm dusting – but its early next week that the more significant stuff is due. There are nine lifts and 12 slopes open on Friday. The main area will close for the season this weekend, but the glacier keeps going year-round.

Zermatt: Like Saas, these two resorts could benefit from the some decent snowfall over the next few days. It is minus 4 up on the Klein Matterhorn glacier, so this should ensure excellent conditions when the clouds clear (and probably the wind dies down too!)

Italy

If the forecast is correct then that predicted Swiss powder should reach Cervina too; plenty of it. When the skies clear the Plateau Rosa could provide superb skiing for May. Piste skiing is fine up there, though the slopes are thin and patchy now at resort lower levels.

Araphoe snow, Colorado – Friday 30 April

USA

And what about the US? OK, so it’s not Glacier Watch but where there’s snow …

Well, if there was ever a turnaround in a winter season it was this one. April (and now most likely May) has produced some astonishing conditions across the pond … er, shame most places are closed now. There have been half-metre dumps (yes, no kidding), and temperatures well below zero, in all three states where skiing and boarding continue. With one of the longest season’s in the US, Arapahoe Basin skiers were bouncing around in new powder to start the week. In California, Squaw Valley is the clear beneficiary of passing storms – can you believe 60-70cm at this time of year? Utah too: here it’s looking like winter again in Alta and Snowbird.

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