Where to Ski And Snowboard -

Snow overview: 17 February

17th February 2012, by Chris Gill

Bluebird days in France, Les Gets.

While the intense cold has eased this week, the snow has returned. There were perfect conditions for half-term week across Europe, and it looks as though the new snow will give excellent skiing for some time to come. The downside is that high winds affected some areas, along with the snowfall, which hit most of the eastern Alps. Moderate falls were reported in the west too, but it has brightened up here.

Snowfall made a welcome return to the US too, especially in California and Colorado where the fresh powder has been seriously lacking this winter. And just in time for the President’s Day holiday weekend. In Canada, it has been a quieter week; but the conditions remain excellent generally and further snowfall is forecast in western areas by the weekend – announcing a possible period of unsettled conditions in to next week.

Austria

Delight and dispair as heavy snowfall brought its usual chaos to the western regions this week. Thursday, in particular, dumped snow across the Arlberg and shut lifts. Frequent snowfall continues to boost depths and quality; even the lower areas can claim exceptional conditions and lots of fresh powder. Obertauern has 230/340cm cover; Saalbach (110/360cm) is fine shape with another half metre this week – St. Anton, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Kühtai and Mayrhofen claim similar quantities. Ischgl and Galtür, Sölden and Obergurgl, Alpbach, got around 40 cm. Söll in the Skiwelt and Wildschönau received a more moderate 20 cm – but this still keeps their slopes in magnificent shape. More snow is forecast from Thursday.

France

Sunshine featured for most French resorts this week, delivering an excellent but chilly half-term. But there were worthwhile amounts of new snow for northeastern parts, notably for the Portes du Soleil and Chamonix of 10-20cm. Les Gets (110/230cm) has super cover for its altitude. Conditions on piste remain excellent, with snow depths averaging a meter or two. The off-piste is heavily tracked and could do with some fresh but reporters are still finding good pockets of powder to enjoy. The outlook is for heavier snowfall .

Italy

By contrast to the northern Alps, Italian resorts have enjoyed largely bright weather over the past few days. Little fresh snow has fallen, but there have been strong winds at altitude in the Aosta Valley; this forced lift closures mid-week. The situation in the Dolomites has been improved with last week’s fresh snowfall, with cover on the upper slopes in the Sella Ronda now pushing a metre or more. Modest snowfalls arrived there on Monday.

Switzerland

More snow fell in the east than was forecast; as a result resorts here are enjoying splendid powder conditions. The bitter chill is gradually retreating. And it seems the combined cost and cold factors have kept the pistes quieter too, so local reports are suggesting. Upper mountain snow cover is between 3-4m in resorts with glaciers, such as Laax (110/380cm). Some of the heaviest snow fell across north-western parts too: Adelboden got 40-50cm, for example. South in Zermatt and Saas Fee, high winds closed some upper lifts but there has been more sunshine here.

Elsewhere

Andorra can claim a significant dump this week, with 25cm accumulated in Grandvalira on Friday. The pistes are now in much better shape, with the deepest cover in Pas de la Casa (110/200cm). It remains cold in Bulgaria, but the main resorts here can claim good skiing on snow depths averaging two metres up top. It has been bitterly cold in Scandinavia too; Åre in Sweden reports 40cm new snow this week, giving lovely on-piste skiing. Sadly, Scottish resorts have limited offerings at the moment; but colder weather and snow showers have firmed up the snow pack on the recent mild weather, with Cairngorm, Nevis and Glencoe the best of the five.

North America

Fresh snow has certainly perked up conditions in California, with Heavenly reporting 30cm on Tuesday. This has allowed the resort to open its Milky Way Bowl for the first time this season. Mammoth claims 70cm in four days. In Colorado, Breckenridge (140cm) and Vail (106cm) report 60cm this week. This is better news for the second half of the season, and more snow could arrive next week. There is the potential for new snow in the east too, which badly needs more. In Canada, high pressure is bringing a mix of sun and cloud to the west. Big White (192cm) got a moderate 23cm new snow this week, Whistler about half that. The trend is for regular light snow showers to continue. A dusting of snow refreshed pistes in Mt Tremblant too, but it has been milder of late.

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