Weekly Snow Report - Thursday 20 December

The week ahead

Hi,

And still it comes... more big snowfalls reported from across The Alps and North America, with many Alpine resorts reporting more than a metre of fresh snow over the past week.

After further widespread snow tomorrow (Friday), temperatures are set to climb briefly over the weekend with Monday in the Northern Alps likely to be 10C above the seasonal average! Sunday will see a fair amount of precipitation and this may fall as rain as high as 2,000 metres in places - affecting low-lying areas.

The lift in temperatures will be later and less severe to the East, but the mild spell will be brief and much cooler weather should be back in place by this time next week.

It does look as if the last week of December will be, again, cold and snowy.

Avalanche!

We do need to, again, highlight the avalanche risk. There have been a number of fatalities already this week, with a lot of new snow. The mild temperatures forecast for the coming weekend will make the off-piste extremely dangerous and we expect to see some huge avalanches triggered in place. Please take all usual precautions and follow local advice.

This Week's Headlines

- Some French and Swiss ski resorts pass 3m (10 feet) snow depth mark.

- Significant snowfalls in Colorado and Utah.

- Austrian snow depths pass 2m at snowiest resorts.

- Heavy snow in Western Canada, again.

- Mt Baker, world’s snowiest resort, first to pass 4m snow depth this season.

Please remember that all early season opening is subject to last-minute change and may consist of partial or weekend opening depending on snow conditions. Check with the local Tourist Office for the latest information.

Your Newsletter this week is sponsored by LeSki

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For our full Snow Report

For the full round-up of the latest snow conditions around the world visit the J2Ski Snow Report - December 20th.

And Finally... again - please take care!

The rapidly accumulated snow of the latest weather cycles is substantial, and a number of fatal avalanches have occurred in the past week.

It is essential that you seek (and follow) local advice in these conditions. Never ski alone and always carry all appropriate equipment (transceiver, shovel and probe) - and know how to use it - if considering leaving the pistes.

Until next week,
The j2Ski Team

Please forward this email to anyone who might be interested - thank you.

Gstaad - Snow and Weather Forecast

Gstaad (950m to 3000m), Switzerland

Seven Day Weather and Snow Forecast for Gstaad

	Thu 20	Fri 21	Sat 22	Sun 23	Mon 24	Tue 25	Wed 26	Thu 27
Hi	3cm	3cm	-	14cm	3cm	11cm	11cm	5cm
Lo	3cm	3cm	-	-	3cm	11cm	11cm	5cm
Town	-	1cm	-	-	-	9cm	10cm	1cm
Snow	1512	950	1712	2297	1691	950	950	950
Max	4°C	3°C	4°C	10°C	10°C	2°C	0°C	0°C
Min	-4°C	-7°C	-7°C	5°C	5°C	0°C	-1°C	-2°C
Wind	S	SW	S	SW	S	SW	SW	SW
km/h	3	1	2	3	4	4	4	5

Our latest snow report (19 Dec) indicates snow depths of 235 (Upper Slopes) and 80 (Lower Slopes), with the last snowfall on 18 Dec. Gstaad reported "Fresh snowfall".

Current Discussions in the J2Ski Forum

Stay Safe :- Big Snow means Big Avalanche Risk - make sure you always know and understand the local avalanche risk level before you ski or snowboard off-piste, take appropriate safety equipment and never go off-piste alone.

The Snow Reports in this e-mail are for information only. Mountain Weather Systems are notoriously chaotic and any forecast beyond 48 hours is only an indication. Snow Forecasts, Snow Depths and current local Skiing Conditions change rapidly, and you should always obtain the latest, local, information before you ski.

Avalanche Safety Chat

• Fatal Avalanche in St.Anton - 18th December 2012

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