Abundant snow = good end of season?

Hi all,

does the fact that Europe has had so much snow recently, and many resorts are reporting larger depths than normal for this time of year, mean that a lot more resorts are going to have excellent skiing in March?

Or should we still be looking for "snowsure" resorts for March time?

Many thanks

[MaccA]

[MaccA wrote:]Hi all,

does the fact that Europe has had so much snow recently, and many resorts are reporting larger depths than normal for this time of year

are they? I didn't see that, are you looking at anywhere in particular?

According to Ise, the snowfall is lower than usual for most of Europe, despite the recent dumps.
My understanding is the varying temperatures have been the problem, and the snow depths across much of the Alps are below seasonal average.

Unless it gets cold and stays cold for a long time, and then dumps it down, there is nothing to suggest March will be a particularly epic time to go. Although I hope it is, as I am away on 6th for a week.

It was never much below 0c in ADH last week, yet we had over a metre of snow in 24 hours, and the day I did the Sarenne it was 8c in resort. No wonder I was sweating!

I have been reading the snow reports on here and they were saying that many European resorts had 2 meters already. The context of the reports made it sound like this was significantly deeper than normal.

I was about to delay my 20th Feb trip (not yet booked) to the beginning of March but maybe I'll try to stick with this date :cry:

In some places they've had a lot of snow - perhaps not as early as last year however Courmayeur for example has more than last year. Other places not quite as much.

A good depth of snow is a welcome sign that the season will last but the snow can melt mighty quickly in the spring - Les Arcs at the end of March was slush - you could visibly see the snow line retreating.
The year before, when there had been less snow over the Alps, a week later & the snow was still good in Sauze D'Oulx - just the final drop down was heavy - only the last 50 metres into the town were gone.

The late season weather is more important to the snow quality however the base is vital to wheter or not there is any snow remaing (not sure if that makes great reading)