Where to Ski And Snowboard -

Snow overview: mid-week update

14th April 2010, by Chris Gill

Montgenevre, France [April 2010]

Winter 2009/10 is almost over, with the majority of resorts now closing or shutting down over the next two weeks. Where resorts are still open, the pistes are quiet – but the snow goes on, apparently…

It is not all over just yet though … a number of resorts will continue until May, and others have popular glaciers that remain open during the summer (we will keep you posted on those.) It has been a changeable week so far in the Alps, though, with sporadic snowfalls. Some has fizzled out, elsewhere it has settled in the cooler air. Over 50 resorts will remain open next week, with varied but reasonable snow cover for April – it has been largely cooler than average, so preserving snow quality a bit longer too.

Here’s a mid-week update, with another overview in a few days. We’ll then we’ll be moving into summer mode with a return to glacier watch – plus a few snippets from the southern Hemisphere.

Austria

In Austria, we start to look to the high glacier resorts for the best quality snow in April. Some freshies have fallen this week, mainly in light showers of 2-10cm. Sölden, Ischgl and the Arlberg are benefitting most; the slopes are quiet too now.

Italy

Most Italian resorts have now closed; others are operating limited lifts for another week or two. Monterosa has the Indren lift open for late season freeriding, for example. Fresh snow has fallen recently too, leaving great conditions high up there. Resorts closing on 18 April include: Pila and Madesimo. Madonna di Campiglio closes on 20 April. Bormio, Livigno and Val Senales will keep their lifts open until the 2nd of May, though, following a pretty good season all round in those resorts.

France

In France many resorts close this weekend, but some have a couple more weeks to run: Chamonix, with the deepest upper snow depth in France at 3.8m, Tignes, Val Thorens and La Grave are open up to 9 May. And there has been fresh snow too for southern areas, such as Valmorel (see our reader snippet).

Switzerland

It is a similar scene in Switzerland. The best late season bets are Saas Fee and Zermatt, both receiving snowfall recently. Verbier is gradually closing down: Savoleyres has joined Brusson to shut.

The rest

Resorts in Andorra close on 18 April; and in Spain only Astun, Candanchu, Masella and Sierra Nevada still offer skiing. Sierra Nevada is expecting to stay open until 2 May, with the deepest snow base in the country.

Warm weather in Scotland has brought with it a rapid thaw at all five ski centres. Glenshee has now closed for the season, the first of the five to do so.

North America

In the US, it’s still snowing in California: Sierra and Mammoth both added another 45cm in the past few days. Squaw Valley is also offering a long season, the best in Tahoe. Resorts in Colorado, Utah and Oregon have also reported big snowfalls, although many have now closed. Aspen Mountain is currently opening at weekends.

Up in Canada, Whistler’s Blackcomb is open until 24 May – Whistler Mountain closes on 25 April.

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