Another Difficult Changeover Day Coming up in the Alps

Ongoing stormy weather with heavy snow and strong winds make it likely that tomorrow (Saturday 20 January)

will again be difficult for drivers trying to get to and from ski re4sorts, particularly in the Western Alps.
The latest stormy weather arrived midweek but has not really let-up, with forecasters now predicting more big snowfalls accompanied by fairly strong winds on Saturday and Sunday at many areas.

Ski resorts are already warning drivers to be fully prepared for the conditions and for potential long delays with chains obligatory on vehicles to many resorts.

Verbier is one of the resorts that has reported over a metre of snowfall in the past 72 hours and forecasters are predicting some ski areas could see more than a metre more snow by Monday, with Chamonix (pictured above) forecast to receive 1.3m of snow and Tignes 1.2m in the next 72 hours.

Most ski areas have had to close large swathes of their slopes for most of the past week and where slopes are open conditions have not been pleasant at times with driving snow and poor visibility.

About a third of runs are currently open in the Tignes-Val d'Isere area for example and in Chamonix only the home run at the Grand Montets sector although the les Houches area is reported to be fully open at time of writing.

And let's not forget the folks who are out in all weathers trying to make the roads safe and skiing/boarding possible.
Friends arrived in St.Anton last night from Zurich.
At the airport their driver said he was going to put them on a train as the access road was closed. But, luckily, he got updated and they had a quick and easy drive as the road was opened again.

Anybody got any idea what it is likely to be like getting from Salzburg to Sallbach tomorrow? OH heading there.

Wanderer wrote:Anybody got any idea what it is likely to be like getting from Salzburg to Sallbach tomorrow? OH heading there.

Fingers crossed, but doesn't look too bad in that area. Snow should be fairly light there tomorrow, with more coming in Sunday and Monday.

It's the area to the West (Switzerland, Chamonix valley, Northern French Alps, etc.) that's looking likely to get really plastered (again!). Latest updates have pushed the huge snowfalls (1metre plus) to Sunday/Monday but still likely to be 20-50cm across a wide area tomorrow which will be enough to cause some issues...

If you're going to be travelling/transferring through the affected area tomorrow then, yes, be prepared for some lengthy journeys; snacks and water to see you through the day - gloves, chains and torches where you can get them easily if you're driving.

Just got the below from Crystal

"Due to heavy snow forecast we're expecting some delays to our transfer programme tomorrow. We'll do our best to get you to your resort as quickly as possible, but please prepare for a longer journey. For instance, consider bringing some extra snacks and water for the transfer."

Egg mayo sarnies will be made tonight :lol:

Hi there people. We are on our way in March and wondering the best way to get from Zermatt To Laax. We won't have a car. Is the train back through Zurich the only way to go?

Google should tell you. Have you considered that option?