Sleeps till ski time

The central alps seem to be pretty much on par, The air temp is due to fall from the current 14/15 deg, to below 8 deg, next Friday and Saturday. Hence the ground temperature, which is the really important one, will be sub 5 deg. A week later,and the sun will barely touch north facing slopes.

Even now, there is frost in the mornings, particularly along the tree line. My guess is that 2 weeks from now, the snow cannons will be switched on in many places, creating the solid base for the arrival of fresh snow.

Will hazard a guess for fresh snow to be Friday 2nd December, usually starting about 7.00am.

snowb4ndit wrote:21 days to go...No snow and none forecast!

I'm feeling quite down about it. Last year was apparently "the worst season in decades" so I was definitely expecting better this year. Everything I've read so far (regarding long range weather predictions fot the Alps)say colder than average and dryer than average...This I interpret to mean not much snow!

Big hug and it will be fine at the end of the day Snob4ndit.
Looking at historical data I don't think last year was all as doom and gloom as some have said. An odd snow pattern certainly but 2007 had far less snow overall.
I always think that pre-Christmas is a bit hit and miss.
Thinking back to my seasons ......
1985 - no skiing in Meribel Mottaret for Xmas week, shipped guests to Courchevel, I'd been skiing in Courchevel 2nd week December.
1986 - Les Arcs 1600, absolutely brillo also skiing into resort of Tignes beginning of November.
1987 - Les Arcs 1600 - no snow !! lifts up and down to some runs above 2000m (I think the first big dump was New Year week??)I think this was the year the Val D'Isere downhill was cancelled through lack of snow.
1988 - Les Arcs 1600, fantastic early season snow. But this was the disastrous season that led to a huge investment in snow making equipment across the whole region. Runs to 1600 closed from early March!! No snow, no snow cannons, no skiers.
1989 - Some runs open but pretty bare is my memory.

So ...
Huge variety of early season conditions. Nothing to panic about yet.
A couple of weeks of low temperatures will get the artificial snow going and build up a base on piste.

Dave Mac wrote:

Will hazard a guess for fresh snow to be Friday 2nd December, usually starting about 7.00am.

Whilst I agree with most of your wisdom, Dave, I have to take you to task on your fresh snow prediction.
This is clearly a fantasy - are you planning to ski on December 3rd?
First snow is never on a Friday - it is always a Tuesday or Wednesday - this is well documented.
First snow falls from late afternoon, not early morning.
Whilst I would like to say November 29/30th - 6/7th December is more likely at resort level.

OldAndy wrote:

Dave Mac wrote:

Will hazard a guess for fresh snow to be Friday 2nd December, usually starting about 7.00am.

Whilst I agree with most of your wisdom, Dave, I have to take you to task on your fresh snow prediction.
This is clearly a fantasy - are you planning to ski on December 3rd?
First snow is never on a Friday - it is always a Tuesday or Wednesday - this is well documented.
First snow falls from late afternoon, not early morning.
Whilst I would like to say November 29/30th - 6/7th December is more likely at resort level.

Thanks for your kindness Andy....But I believe Dave I am due to arrive in Morzine on Saturday the 3rd. Cheers Dave x

snowb4ndit wrote:

Thanks for your kindness Andy....But I believe Dave I am due to arrive in Morzine on Saturday the 3rd. Cheers Dave x

Oh yee of little faith !!!
You should be asking for 6/7th so you can get into resort and settled, car unpacked, big shop in place etc etc etc before everything starts to get slippy and tricky.

OldAndy wrote:

snowb4ndit wrote:

Thanks for your kindness Andy....But I believe Dave I am due to arrive in Morzine on Saturday the 3rd. Cheers Dave x

Oh yee of little faith !!!
You should be asking for 6/7th so you can get into resort and settled, car unpacked, big shop in place etc etc etc before everything starts to get slippy and tricky.

I would prefer to dump everything in the flat and go skiing, but I guess you're right considering the lifts won't be running. They did, however, open early last year.

snowb4ndit wrote:

I would prefer to dump everything in the flat and go skiing, but I guess you're right considering the lifts won't be running. They did, however open early last year.

Oh for goodness sake !!!
Children and Christmas spring to mind

OldAndy wrote:

snowb4ndit wrote:

I would prefer to dump everything in the flat and go skiing, but I guess you're right considering the lifts won't be running. They did, however open early last year.

Oh for goodness sake !!!
Children and Christmas spring to mind

Now you've reminded me of another reason to worry about lack of snow. My son will be coming to stay for Christmas and New Year. We also have friends that have booked for the two weeks prior to that...Oooh I have a head ache now, with all this worry!