Will the snow come?

A couple of friends and i are heading to St Anton on the 16th of January 2015 all the way from South Africa, and looking at the current conditions and forecasts my concern is growing everyday as to the reliability of snow mid January in St Anton. I skiied in Ellmau during the same week in january 2014, and the conditions and snow cover were moderate at best, and i fear a repeat performance from the snow gods might be on the cards.... Is it too early to panic? Is the snow cover mid January in St Anton usually reliable?

That's about 6 weeks away. There could be 10 feet of snow by then.
If there is no snow the week before you go then you will have cause for concern.

I sympathise!! I was planning to go to the Arlberg next week but have postponed to following week. Am also back there again (in theory) for 1st 2 weeks in Jan... But as has been said it can suddenly change and statistically St Anton has a good snow record. I think 2 years ago it was still all green on 3 Dec and then a few days later it dumped and I got cut off in Lech.

Everyone keep snow dancing!

I have booked 5 nights in Seefeld on 21st December and starting to get a bit worried. I'm taking my daughter, who I only get to see in school holidays, and she will be so disappointed if there is no snow. I've only paid a deposit on the hotel and am contemplating changing resorts, eg Mayrhofen or Obergurgl or somewhere near the Stubai Glacier. Question is how long do I leave it before changing resorts and losing £200 deposit ?

Phil, Seefeld may well be OK, with a village height of 1200m, c/w Mayrhofen at 600m. You do not say what standard your daughter is. Seefeld is rated good for beginners.

At 1930m, Obergurgl is even better. I suggest the Hotel Sportiv, which has access to the sister hotel (the Crystal) leisure facilities, and is 5m from the Gondola.

Neustift would be bullet proof, because ofaccess to the Stubai Glacier.

As things stand, I would be inclined to let the deposit stand in the Seefeld hotel, as long as possible. In the event that you have to make a change, from the alternatives, my experience would have me choose Obergurgl.

Have to say am a little bemused by all this talk of where is snow. Right not we are no worse than any other season and glaciers are much better off due to wet summer and a lot of early high snow.

Historically if you go to a resort in Europe without a glacier skiing before 3rd week of December you are taking a gamble. Long term forecast is looking like freezing down to 1000m around 8th of December and snow from 12th onwards for Northern Alps.

Am off skiing on Wednesday in full knowledge that good food, wine, some time in gym or hiking is how my time will be spent. Many times better than work!

As I'm due to go to Austria too before Christmas I was pleased to learn from a local friend that, not too far from where we'll be, Kitzsteinhorn is already providing good skiing coditions.

Just had a look at the Zermatt webcams and there appears to be plenty of snow, even when viewed from the Sunnegga cam which is down at 2,288m. There is no snow in the village yet but that doesn't really matter for Zermatt as the majority of the skiing is above 2,300m. The Zermatt website is indicating 170km of pistes already open with quite a few also open on the Italian side.