Big Snow Back in The Alps
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After six weeks with little fresh snow in the Alps, today has seen resorts across central Europe report falls of up to 80cm in the past 24 hours.
Most of Europe received heavy, and in some cases record breaking snowfalls during December and January followed by very cold weather in early February and very warm weather in late February and early March – in both cases with little fresh precipitation.
However unlike last winter when resorts had limited bases to rely on when the weather got warm, in this instance most of the major, higher resorts had so much early season snow lying to rely on that lack of fresh falls was not a major problem.
All are welcoming the new snow however – with many entering their last month of operations for 2011-12 and the start of the Easter holidays less than a fortnight away.
Heavy snow has been particularly reported in the northern Alps and with Swiss resorts reporting the biggest falls, including two feet (60cm) overnight at Andermatt; but more southerly resorts such as Serre Chevalier in France and in Italy the Aosta Valley and Madesimo have reported around a foot (30cm) each too.
Other big accumulations of similar magnitude have been reported in the French Grand Massif and Portes du Soleil, Saas Fee and Gstaad in Switzerland and the Austrian Arlberg – but most other areas have had at least some new snow too.
From the various reports I've seen today, it looks split along the main alpine ridge; Northern French Alps and a good number of Swiss resorts have been reporting snow down to 1,100 to 1,300 metres.
It does look as if Spring temps will be back again by the weekend; still great skiing from mid-mountain up though!
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Started by J2SkiNews in Ski News 19-Mar-2012 - 13 Replies
J2SkiNews posted Mar-2012
After six weeks with little fresh snow in the Alps, today has seen resorts across central Europe report falls of up to 80cm in the past 24 hours.
Most of Europe received heavy, and in some cases record breaking snowfalls during December and January followed by very cold weather in early February and very warm weather in late February and early March – in both cases with little fresh precipitation.
However unlike last winter when resorts had limited bases to rely on when the weather got warm, in this instance most of the major, higher resorts had so much early season snow lying to rely on that lack of fresh falls was not a major problem.
All are welcoming the new snow however – with many entering their last month of operations for 2011-12 and the start of the Easter holidays less than a fortnight away.
Heavy snow has been particularly reported in the northern Alps and with Swiss resorts reporting the biggest falls, including two feet (60cm) overnight at Andermatt; but more southerly resorts such as Serre Chevalier in France and in Italy the Aosta Valley and Madesimo have reported around a foot (30cm) each too.
Other big accumulations of similar magnitude have been reported in the French Grand Massif and Portes du Soleil, Saas Fee and Gstaad in Switzerland and the Austrian Arlberg – but most other areas have had at least some new snow too.
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The Snow Hunter
Ranchero_1979
reply to 'Big Snow Back in The Alps' posted Mar-2012
I can confirm Chamonix has has solid snow for last 24hrr all they way down to 1000m. Would guess >30cm up high. People are confirming awesome snow which makes my knee injury all the more depressing.
Dids1
reply to 'Big Snow Back in The Alps' posted Mar-2012
I think I am allowed a big smile here.
No skiing last season and going 31st March this year.
Only been a tiny bit concerned about the snow because we've got cars and will be near Chamonix, but nice to know there's been a freshen up.
No skiing last season and going 31st March this year.
Only been a tiny bit concerned about the snow because we've got cars and will be near Chamonix, but nice to know there's been a freshen up.
J2SkiNews
reply to 'Big Snow Back in The Alps' posted Mar-2012
Well since i posted this I've heard some slightly less good news (although probably good news for driving...there's always a silver lining) ...which is that it's still warm which has meant rain, not snow, below 1800m above sea level at some places. The example i was given was the Milky Way French/Italian border. So lower resorts may not be looking so good but presumably a lot of the roads are black and no ice. Sounds snowier lower in Cham though...
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The Snow Hunter
Admin
reply to 'Big Snow Back in The Alps' posted Mar-2012
J2SkiNews wrote:below 1800m above sea level at some places. The example i was given was the Milky Way French/Italian border.
From the various reports I've seen today, it looks split along the main alpine ridge; Northern French Alps and a good number of Swiss resorts have been reporting snow down to 1,100 to 1,300 metres.
It does look as if Spring temps will be back again by the weekend; still great skiing from mid-mountain up though!
The Admin Man
David_G
reply to 'Big Snow Back in The Alps' posted Mar-2012
Yup, can confirm here in Obergurgl hasn't stopped all day. Looks like around 30cm. Had a great time in the powder on and off piste, difficult to tell at times if we were on or off piste. Visibility varied and we spent most of our time low down. Best conditions I have ever had here this time of year
Edited 1 time. Last update at 19-Mar-2012
Verbier_ski_bum
reply to 'Big Snow Back in The Alps' posted Mar-2012
At least 30 cm in Verbier. Great powder day, well worth of the day off taken:)
Tony_H
reply to 'Big Snow Back in The Alps' posted Mar-2012
verbier_ski_bum wrote:At least 30 cm in Verbier. Great powder day, well worth of the day off taken:)
:thumbup:
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New and improved me
Topic last updated on 22-March-2012 at 07:52