Where to Ski And Snowboard - Temperatures and snow fall in the Alps

Temperatures and snow fall in the Alps

11th January 2013, by Abi Butcher

Snow last night in Chamonix. Photo: Martin Gräntz

Temperatures are dropping and it’s snowing again in the Alps. Just when everyone is heading back to work after the New Year break, the snow is coming — and it’s much needed after this week’s warm spell.

France and Switzerland are getting much of the good stuff. Falls of up to 35cm are expected in most places by the end of tomorrow, Le Ski is already reporting fantastic conditions in Courchevel, and around 40cm of fresh powder has fallen in Chamonix.

In Switzerland, temperatures have been dropping as the snow has come in. WTSS reader Michelle Flower in Nendaz, Switzerland, reports this afternoon: “It’s been snowing all day and all night, which was needed — and still dumping down.”

The Where to Ski and Snowboard editors have left their desks and will be blogging this weekend from the mountains. On the start of his French road trip, Editor Chris Gill has just filed an update from Avoriaz, where 20cm of new snow is expected to fall before the end of the weekend, Editor Dave Watts from Vichères-Liddes and La Fouly in Switzerland — where it’s also snowing— and Web Editor Abi Butcher has just arrived in a currently less snowy Schladming for a pre-World Championships trip.

The Austrian town is devoid of snow right now after serious flooding this week — but with freezing levels expected to drop to 800m next week, and more snow forecast for Tuesday, the resort — like many others in Austria — is hoping for a white backdrop in time for the big event next month.

In Italy, low temperatures have kept conditions relatively good— with the higher resorts reporting good piste conditions still. Fresh snow is expected next week. The picture is similar in Andorra and Bulgaria, which are both expecting some fresh snow early next week.

Over in the US, Heavenly in Lake Tahoe reported earlier this week that last month was its snowiest December on record. Aspen’s twitter feed has been alive with powder pictures taken by locals — and although they’re slightly down on usual snowfall this year, it’s a powder day in Breckenridge today, too.

A cold and dry spell is due in Canada, after more snow dumped this week giving Fernie, Kicking Horse and Marmot Basin some great conditions — and Whistler had a powder day yesterday with 36cm of fresh snow.