Pre-Weekend Snowfall in the Alps

The snow has started falling in the Alps with a number of leading resorts reporting 20-50cm of fresh now in the past 24 hours.

This appears to be the start of a snowy weekend with most ski areas in the Alps expected to receive between 20 and 50cm over the next 48 hours, continuing the so far largely very good start to the season.

The first resorts to report snow include ski areas in the Portes du Soleil, which opens for a second 'season preview weekend' tomorrow before openings daily in a week's time.

Here ski areas like Chatel on the French side reported 20cm of snow in 24 hours, Avoriaz 23cm, whilst on the Swiss side at centres like Champery it was 30cm.

There have been similar accumulations in the 4 Valleys as well with Veysonnaz (above) saying 50cm has fallen there in the past day or so.

La Tzoumaz, 4 Vallées, Switzerland 1500m - 1st. thing this morning after the ovenight falls. I'd say about 8cm-10cm. Later in the day some more light snow, and windy. Savoleyres lifts to Verbier ran all day but this sector didn't open (v.foggy and winds later on). More light falls forecast tonight, and a heavy band of snow Sunday afternoon. Temp on balcony at 1500m currently -1.3C (16:25CET)

From the balcony.


And walking back after getting the morning croissants and bread.

Pumping snow and am getting pretty damn excited!!! T-12 days and looks promising! Really you should all thank me as clearly this snow is linked to my investment in a new set of piste skis.

I'll be in Val d'Isere Tuesday, it might just be epic!

Evening fellow J2Skiers! I share your excitement. Week tomorrow I should be heading out into the icy cold of Zermatt.

Gareth Fair wrote:I'll be in Val d'Isere Tuesday, it might just be epic!

It might well be... :thumbup:

This current snow is coming in 3 bands and the first - yesterday/last night - was more than forecast (as much as 70cm already in some Swiss areas). Second band should be late tomorrow through Monday and is expected to be at least as much again in most areas. Could be some very strong winds with it though, so don't be surprised to find a few lift closures early this week - along with some slopes being wind-scoured and others getting rather loaded with wind-slabs.

Thursday looks like bringing another good fall and many locations could see at least some snow every day this coming week... :shock:

But do take care; avalanche risk is going to be very high in some places and there have been a number of slides reported today - there will be more over the next few days.

This morning in La Tzoumaz, 4 Vallées, CH saw the snow arrive earlier than forecast. Moderate when I went to get the morning croissants and bread around 8am:



but getting heavier now and forcast to last all day. Balcony temp is -7C

Avalanche Level 4 warning just gone out from MeteoSwiss for La Tzoumaz. Took this about an hour agon on way back from a snowshoe walk: