Glacier watch: 5 August

5th August 2010, by Chris Gill

Hintertux glacier in better weather ...

While rainy weather isn’t great news for long summer days in the Alps, it does mean some fresh snow for the glacier resorts – not huge amounts, but good enough to refresh the pistes for a bit longer.

Many of the summer ski areas in the Alps are reporting new snow this week, mainly in Austria and Switzerland on Thursday 5 August. At this time of the year, that snowfall is confined to the highest slopes above 2800-3000m. But that’s where the summer fun takes place anyway, so every little helps to keep the slopes in fair condition for anyone who enjoys a few early turns.

Austria

In Austria, the most snow is reported at the Hintertux glacier – 10cm on Thursday. The glacier has a moderate snow base of 125cm, and 20km of slopes still open, so it could be regarded as the best place to head in the country at the moment. At least, once the foggy, low cloud conditions clear.

The Kitzsteinhorn and Stubai glaciers are also rather claggy at present, and snow cover is quite thin (20-40cm). It is also mild, but they have received a dusting of fresh cover this week.

It is brighter over in Carinthia, with the Molltal glacier still offering reasonable riding for the time of year.

Switzerland

The changeable weather has affected Swiss resorts too; it was raining in Zermatt earlier today. Both Zermatt and Saas Fee are reporting 4-5cm fresh snow on Thursday – a dusting, but a helpful refresh. This has fallen mainly above 2900m, with both resorts open for skiing and boarding daily. Zermatt is not forecasting any more fresh snow this week, although other weather reports suggest the area may receive some by the weekend.

France

Although much further south, the summer glacier slopes in Les Deux Alpes received a refresh this morning. And it remains cloudy up there. There is little to report from Tignes except a dusting born out of Thursday’s rain showers. But both areas remain open for snow sports.

Les Deux Alpes on 5 August. New snow, but poor visibility.

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