The long awaited fall in temperatures in the Alps appears to be starting to happen at last.
Temperatures are expected t be below freezing day and night above about 2,500m in the Alps and drop to single figures much of the time in Alpine Valleys too. Some light snowfalls are expected on high slopes and glaciers through the coming week.
The Stubai glacier, the fourth in Austria to open, and all in Tirol region, is due to open today, joining Hintertux, Pitztal (pictured top) and Kaunertal which have all been endeavouring to stage season opening events including gear tests and terrain park unveiling celebrations.
But with the warm weather, little natural snowfall so far and limited opportunities for snowmaking to date, opening decisions remain on a knife edge. A fifth Austrian Tirol area, Solden, is due to stage 23-24 FIS World Cup Alpine SKI season-opening the week after next has repeatedly set its opening date back, now looking at early this coming week.
Engelberg in Switzerland has done likewise, most recently announcing a delay in its opening date into November, stating, "Unfortunately, we still have to be patient. The warm autumn days and the lack of natural snow do not allow the preparation of the glaciers at the moment." It's currently aiming for the 4th.
Saas Fee and Zermatt remain open in Switzerland and Passo Stelvio and Cervinia in Italy, the latter announcing its "Never ending ski season" will start from today (14 October) with lifts running to Zermatt's glacier ski area year-round rather than having spring and autumn closures as in the past.
The French ski season is not expected to start until the last weekend of November after les 2 Alpes gave up on plans to offer glacier skiing for the fortnight from next weekend.