Weekly Snow Report - Wednesday 01 May

The week ahead

Hello, and welcome to the first of our monthly updates!

Although we were planning an immediate rest, a few requests and the obsessive dedication of our news editor means we're relenting and putting out this guide to Where to Ski in May?

Rather not hear from us until next winter?

Just click above where it says Stop until Next Season, and send us the message... we won't be upset!

Introduction

Although there are still over 100 ski areas open in the northern hemisphere at the start of May, that number will diminish to perhaps less than 20 by the end of the month the quietest few weeks in the ski year.

Our full report (online) details ski areas open for at least half the month, but here's a very brief summary :-

The Alps

It’s glacier ski time in Austria, which has more glacier ski centres open at some point or another through spring to autumn than any other country.

France is unusual in having no ski resorts open at all from mid-May to mid-June but you can ski at Tignes (3.3m at start of month) and Val Thorens (2.5m at start of month) until May 12th. There’s usually no skiing in the Pyrenees after April but the cult freeride centre at Pic du Midi has announced its re-opening for freeride skiing from 6th to 12th May for those suitably experienced and equipped having received more than 15m of snow this winter.

The May skiing options in Italy appear to be limited, after the first weekend, to a couple of red runs on the Presena Glacier above Passo Tonale, which had a 4m snow base at the start of May.

In Switzerland there’s year round skiing at Zermatt, which had more than 2m of snow lying on its glacier slopes at the start of May.

Scotland

Scotland’s excellent 2012-13 season, with snow still falling at the start of May, has left Cairngorm operational and looking good to stay open so long as demand continues. Glencoe and to a less extent Nevis range are also opening, although only at weekends.

Scandinavia

Norway, Sweden and Finland all have ski areas opening through May and into June.

North America

Sunshine at Banff (2m base, 4cm fresh snow on April 30th, open to May 20th) and the Blackcomb Glacier at Whistler, open daily from 10am to 4pm until May 27th, are the two Canadian ski options in May, whilst six US resorts look set to stay open throughout May, although some only at weekends.

Southern Hemisphere

It’s not inconceivable that the ski season will kick off south of the equator before the end of May, although in most cases resorts do not plan to open until June.

First snow has already been reported in Australia and New Zealand.

For our full Monthly Snow Report

For the full round-up of the snow conditions around the world visit the J2Ski Monthly Snow Report - where to ski in May 2013.

Until next month,
The j2Ski Team

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

Leukerbad - Snow and Weather Forecast

Leukerbad (1410m to 2850m), Switzerland

Seven Day Weather and Snow Forecast for Leukerbad

	Wed 01	Thu 02	Fri 03	Sat 04	Sun 05	Mon 06	Tue 07	Wed 08
Hi	-	3cm	15cm	7cm	1cm	2cm	1cm	3cm
Lo	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3cm
Town	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Snow	2740	2636	2312	2200	2751	2809	2445	1734
Max	11°C	11°C	8°C	9°C	11°C	12°C	11°C	6°C
Min	7°C	4°C	6°C	5°C	6°C	7°C	7°C	3°C
Wind	SE	SE	SE	S	N	SW	NW	SE
km/h	2	1	1	1	1	1	2	3

We do not have a current Snow Report for Leukerbad.

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

• Avalanche caught on head cam

Follow Us on Facebook and Twitter

DANGER - Skiing, Snowboarding and all Snow Sports have inherent dangers, and you participate at your own risk.

PRIVACY - We do not share your e-mail, or other details, with third parties without your prior permission.

REMOVAL - You may request complete removal from our database at any time by sending e-mail to privacy@j2ski.com (although you will be unable to login to our Forum after removal).

DISCLAIMER - The content of this email is provided free of charge for information purposes only. Every reasonable effort is made to keep it up to date at the time of distribution; any changes are out of the control of the Publisher (J2Ski Ltd). The content does not constitute any form of advice or arrangement by the publisher and is not intended to be relied upon in making any holiday booking, ski route or other decisions.

Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangements made between you and any third party named in this email are at your sole risk and responsibility.

J2Ski Limited is a UK company, registered in England and Wales with registration no. 5836696 and VAT registration GB 879581750. Registered Address : York House, 37 High Street, Seal, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 OAW.

© 2013, J2Ski (UK) Limited

All Rights Reserved.

J2Ski ® is a Registered EC Trademark.