Where to Ski And Snowboard -

Snow overview: 12 February

12th February 2012, by Chris Gill

Balmy zero in Kitzbuhel ... briefly. Outlook = cold

The main feature of the current European weather is the cold, intense cold that can seriously affect your skiing enjoyment if you’re not well wrapped up. I was in the Austrian Alps last week and experienced temperatures nudging minus 20 mid-week without windchill. It is the same scene for much of Europe and expected to continue for the next few days, with further snowfall across Austria and Switzerland. Despite the cold, the slopes are pretty hard to beat at the moment, with snow conditions excellent for most parts. Off-piste is soft but variable, with wind-slab forming.

North America can claim a better mid-winter than on previous weeks, but not much in the way of endless powder skiing for the USA; at least nowhere near what they are used to. Canada continues to receive consistent snowfalls that are giving them a good season all-round.

Austria

If you have read editor King’s blogs, you’ll know that is has been a notably chilly and cloudy week throughout the country. Seefeld recorded the coldest temperature at minus 28 degrees last Saturday. But this is preserving the snow cover well. Fresh snow fell on Tuesday and Thursday, giving a good coating to the already squeaky snow slopes. The SkiWelt and Kitzbuhel Alps got about 3-5cm initially, then a further 10cm or so to end the week. These resorts are in the best condition seen for a long time and ought to be ridden now if you can get there. Some pistes have firmed up, especially on south-facing runs as in Saalbach-Hinterglemm; but even these are skiing well at present. St Anton (155/470cm) and neighbours remain superb. Snow showers are due to continue into early next week.

France

Similar conditions have been felt in France, but with more sunshine than further east. High winds battered parts of the Espace Killy and surrounding areas to end the week, but lifts that were closed have now reopened. The other downside to the wind is the serious windchill effect on already cold air temperatures. It’s the onslaught of French holiday season, so be prepared for much busier pistes. Sunshine and packed, light powder snow have been the order of the day in Courchevel (165/205cm), Les Gets (85/205cm), Alpe-d’Huez (350cm) and Tignes (minus 20’s up top here). Snow showers are forecast to keep going in southern regions too.

Italy

The arctic chill extends into Italy’s resorts too but there has been welcome snowfall in the Dolomites recently; more than was expected. New snow in Arabba (80/280cm) and the Sella Ronda has boosted depth and quality. A little more is forecast over the weekend. Light snowfall and very low temperatures (-24) are typical of Sestriere (80/120cm) and its western neighbours on Sunday, but with a return to sunshine for much of next week.

Switzerland

Much like the rest of the Alps, Swiss resorts are in excellent shape. Long spells of sunshine have given some glorious skiing, with one or two light dustings to refresh the pistes. A little more is expected early next week, especially in the eastern and central regions. Saas Fee (78/335cm) and Zermatt have been clear and bright, but a dusting of new snow (1-2cm) fell over the weekend. It is less cold there too now. Laax (110/380cm) further east is minus 14 degrees on the glacier and expecting more snow mid week next week.

Much of the eastern Alps was overcast and with extreme cold © W King – Westendorf

Rest of Europe

It has been a good week for the Pyrenees, with recent snowfall and colder air keeping the slopes in good shape. The cold has been less intense than in the Alps, typically minus 5 to 10, so more comfortable. The main Andorran resorts now have upper snow depths of over a metre. And resorts that started the season badly have now opened more terrain. Regular snowfalls have also kept Scandinavian resorts skiing well. The big freeze has brought excellent conditions and new snow to Bulgarian and Slovenian resorts too – Kranjska Gora (50/100cm) has 5cm fresh.

Much improved in the Spanish Pyrenees – Formigal

North America

There has been little significant change in the US, but piste skiing has certainly improved with new snowfalls – notably in Colorado. Aspen (70/86cm), Breckenridge and Vail got 8-10cm mid-week. Utah, as editor Watts explained, although not blessed with its usual abundant powder, there is good skiing across the mountains. Resorts in Canada have had a quieter week, but their regular snowfalls are providing super skiing conditions on- and off-piste. Lake Louise (155cm) reports the best snowfalls for 13 years – obviously a lucky number for them – while Kicking Horse (175cm) and Fernie (251cm) claim over 6m of snow fallen already this season.

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