Hello, and welcome to a distinctly snowy Weekly Snow Report!
As we write, temperatures are dipping across Europe and daytime averages are about to drop by 10-15C over the next 48 hours.
Cold air is pushing into the region from the North and East, whilst mild, wet weather tracks from the West. The combination has the potential for some significant snowfall in the Northern and Eastern Alps, with snow likely across the wider area.
The exact interaction of the two weather systems is difficult to forecast with any accuracy but the Northern Alps, including Chamonix and Zermatt, will likely see snow starting late tomorrow (Friday) at altitude and continuing through Saturday with the snow line falling to 1200 metres and below by the end of the day. Local accumulations may be heavy!
This Week's Headlines
- Californian ski areas open early after heavy snow this week.
- Canadian resorts opening early due to cold temperatures for snowmaking.
- Little fresh snow in the Alps so far... but more expected this weekend.
- Squaw Valley and Boreal opening in California.
- Les 2 Alpes Opening for 10 days only in France.
Already Open – 25 Glacier and Non-Glacier Ski Areas
Austria
With most of the ski areas in the southern hemisphere now closed, Austria can claim to have the most ski areas open of any one country in the world at present.
The amount of terrain open at Solden has increased dramatically with nearly 30km of runs and a 42cm snow base. Hintertux continues to have the largest ski area available anywhere at present with 41km of slopes open, 14 lifts running and a 590m vertical. Austria's other open areas are the Kitzsteinhorn glacier at Kaprun with 90cm, Molltal (12km of slopes open, 40cm), Pitztal (51cm), Stubai (9 runs open, 70cm snow depth) and Kaunertal (39cm).
Canada
Two Alberta ski areas are opening early, this week. Mt Norquay, the local ski hill for Banff will be the first ski area in Canada to open at 12 noon today. October 25th with 30cm of natural and machine made snow.
Nakiska in Alberta, the closest ski area to Calgary, plans to open this Saturday, October 27th, its earliest ever opening date. Much of the snow is machine made and there's a 15cm base so far.
Finland
Ruka has one run open, thanks to snowmaking, and two lifts running to access it. The run opened on schedule a week ago for the resort's eight month season, the longest of any non-glacier ski resort and a good sign as last autumn opening was delayed by more than a month due to warm weather.
France
Tignes is currently the only ski area open in France. Six lifts are running and there's a 40cm base.
Les Deux Alpes glacier will also be open for 9 days from the 27th October to 4th November 2012.
Italy
Having opened the past two weekends Cervinia will be open full time from this Saturday 27th October to 5th May 2013. 23km of runs are open and the centre has a 90cm snow depth. Passo Stelvio and Val Senales are both also open for glacier skiing, the latter with a 30cm snowbase and five beginner and intermediate runs open.
Switzerland
The choice of open ski areas in Switzerland has doubled this week with the Diavolezza glacier near St Moritz in the Engadin as well as the Titlis Glacier above Engelberg both opening last weekend joining Saas Fee and Zermatt from this weekend.
Saas Fee and Zermatt both have their glaciers open for snow sports, although there have been closures due to bad weather (rain) on some days. Saas Fee has a 117cm base of what it describes as 'hard snow' with five runs open along with its terrain park and half pipe.
North America
USA
California is the first region in the northern hemisphere where heavy natural October snowfall has allowed for early resort openings without the need of snowmaking or glaciers. It's very early days of course but resorts will be hoping this means a return to the very good winter of 2010-11 and not a repeat of the very bad 2011-12.
The early signs are good with Squaw Valley opening early (today, October 25th) after nearly a metre of snow has fallen there in the past 72 hours. Nearby Boreal will open for a full 12 hours from 9am to 9pm from Friday, 26th October.
A little further East Loveland has now joined Arapahoe Basin open in Colorado and Timberline in Oregon is opening at weekends. Several small areas have opened in New England and the MidWest too thanks to snowmaking.
Southern Hemisphere – Still Open
Turoa in New Zealand is believed to be the only ski area still open in the southern hemisphere with a 210cm (7 foot) base. It plans to stay open at least another week to November 4th, weather permitting. From next Thursday it will celebrate the rare southern hemisphere ski season phenomena: 'Snowvember'.
Opening Soon (subject to conditions)
Killington in Vermont and Sunday River in Maine both aim to open 29th October.
Copper Mountain, Colorado, plans to open Friday, November 2nd, 2012.
Glacier 3000 above les Diablerets and Gstaad in Switzerland expects to open on 3rd November.
Lake Louise, Sunshine, Banff on 9th November.
Heavenly opens for skiing and snowboarding on Friday, November 16, 2012.
Watch J2Ski for the latest developments in the winter forecast, and we'll be back next week with more snowy news...