Where to Ski And Snowboard -

Snow overview: 26 January

25th January 2012, by Wendy King

Powder in The Canyons, Utah - (c) Justin Olsen

This extraordinary early season in Europe continues, with further fresh falls of snow this week – notably heaviest across Austria again. Prime conditions now abound across many Alpine regions, although the best of the new snow has favoured the northern ranges. The weather has remained largely unsettled and overcast at times – but the sun returned briefly on Thursday, with many resorts enjoying a glorious day.

Conditions off-piste have improved as the snowpack settles; and there is still good powder to be found. Light to moderate snow is forecast across France and Switzerland into the weekend, where it is set to turn colder; and this may extend towards Italy at last too.

North America can claim a turnaround in fortunes, with lots of fresh snow reaching most of our US areas in the past week. Californian resorts in particular, which had been basking in sunshine for weeks, are now enjoying a metre or more of powder. Conditions up in western Canada remain excellent, with regular top-ups. The outlook in the US is for drier weather to return to Colorado for the weekend.

Austria

Repeated snowfalls are delivering superb conditions just about everywhere. Another 30-50cm has fallen across the Tirol since the weekend. But while the Arlberg grabs the snow depth headlines, eastern regions got their fair share too. More snowfall than was forecast fell around Salzburg, which initially brought avalanche, power cuts and transport disruption. Schladming (180cm) and its neighbours Flachau (155/300cm), Hochkönig and the Pinzgau all received more than 20cm of new snow in that time. The Dachstein glacier now holds a 4m snow base. The outlook is for a cold but settled few days, with periods of sunshine.

France

France got a worthwhile share of the fresh snow in the last week; most high resorts here are offering fabulous conditions – half a metre of snow fell in Alpe-d’Huez at the weekend, more than forecast. Northerly resorts got top-ups to start the week too. Notable highlights are the resorts of the Portes du Soleil, where 10-20cm fell. Avoriaz has established itself as a leader in the recorded snow depths. Colder weather and further snow flurries over the weekend should keep the pistes in fine nick in Châtel, Morzine and Les Gets too.

Italy

Italian resorts are not all short of snow, particularly in the north-west, but they have lacked significant falls. On average, snow depths are half that of the northern Alps. New snow fell in Champoluc on Monday, but Monterosa’s best snow is at altitude. La Thuile, Cervinia and Courmayeur all have good piste conditions, variable off-piste. Sestriere (80/100cm) and Sauze d’Oulx (70/100cm) are in fine shape too. More snow is forecast for the weekend here, and it may also reach the resorts of the Dolomites – question is, how much?

Switzerland

More snow than expected arrived in the north-east of Switzerland, where typical accumulations were 30-50cm. Looking good are Andermatt and Engelberg. About 15-30cm fell elsewhere. In the west, Gstaad (50/390cm) has impressive cover for its height, although its top depth represents the nearby Diablerets glacier. Verbier has 310cm up top, 30cm at resort level (1500m). Snow is forecast, mainly on Saturday when the snow limit is expected to fall to 500m. Quantities are due to be modest, though, and there should be no significant change in the avalanche risk.

Rest of Europe

There has been little change to conditions in the Pyrenees, with only a dusting of new snow in Andorra this week. Sufficiently low temperatures have maintained cover, but the pistes are firm and fast generally. Best is Arinsal/Arcalis (40/140cm). The Spanish side has not had a great start to the season, with ongoing dry weather. By contrast, winter is in charge again in Scandinavia and in Bulgaria. Norway is the pick in the north, as in Trysil. Borovets is best in Bulgaria, with a 2m upper base following recent snowfalls. It has been snowing again in Scotland too: Glencoe has fresh powder on a firm, icy base; but some runs are thin and rocky in places.

North America

At last we can report a powder week in the US, where Mammoth and Heavenly are greatly refreshed and opening up more terrain. Over a metre of snow fell in The Canyons, Utah, and it was still snowing in Winter Park (106cm) Colorado on Tuesday. So, conditions on and off-piste are pretty good at the moment. (see also our Snow Snippet report on the US resorts).

Repeated snowfalls in western Canada continue to deliver top reports and superb skiing. It is comfortably cold, with the best of the recent snowfalls in Whistler – 105cm this week alone. Banff’s trio too are looking excellent, reporting over 5m at Sunshine Village this season already. Mid-mountain base depths are approaching 2m in all three resorts. Sun Peaks (115/140cm) got 20cm new snow, with light showers continuing into the weekend.

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