Messages posted by : admin
|
J2Ski Snow Report - March 5th 2015
Snow Report Summary Well, it kept on snowing... This Week's Headlines - Deepest snow cover in the world passes 5m mark on March 1st - in the French Pyrenees! - Second resort in the Swiss Alps reaches the 5m mark a few days later. - Up to three feet (90cm) of fresh snow for a few resorts in Austria, France, Scotland, Switzerland and Colorado, USA. A bit of a roller coaster week in the Alps with rain briefly reported as high as 2000m on Monday but also some healthy snowfall of up to three feet/90cm then falling as it has got colder, right across the region. Elsewhere there's been much less snow in the Pyrenees than last week's huge falls, and just modest falls in Scandinavia and eastern Europe, but Scottish slopes, particularly on the West, have had more big snowfalls. In North America there's been excitement in the Western states of Colorado, Utah and California which have been more unseasonably warm and dry the further west you go - they've had serious snowfalls of fresh powder this week. Not much has made it north of the border in to Canada, although at least temperatures have dropped there. In The Forecast! The last of this weeks snow will fall in some areas today and tomorrow, after which it does look as if the European mountains are set for fairer and milder weather for the next week or so. Temperatures will be around, or moderately above, seasonal averages but the now impressive snow depths in many ski areas should ensure good piste skiing for the foreseeable. Check the J2Ski Forecasts regularly for the latest updates! The Alps Austria After coming in fourth place for fresh snowfall in the Alps of the big four Alpine ski nations last week, Austria has been mixing it up this week with some of the biggest snowfalls reported in the region – this week has seen the snowiest few days in the country for the past fortnight in fact. Monday – Tuesday saw the biggest accumulations with Innsbruck's ski areas reporting up to 40cm of fresh snow, and there was 45cm of fresh cover in the Silvretta region. Slope depths remain fairly good across the country with generally at least a couple of feet of snow at resort level and 1-3m of snow lying on upper runs, but there has been a thaw at resort level at some areas that were battling with limited cover and there's now no cover remaining at Zell am Ziller and Mayrhofen whilst Bad Kleinkirchheim in the country's south west continues to face challenges with limited cover and no fresh snow for a fortnight now. France Rain in the French Alps at the start of the week has turned to snow and Argentiere in the Chamonix Valley is now reporting 80cm, of fresh snow in the last seven days, with Chamonix, La Plagne, Avoriaz, Val d'Isere and other famous areas reporting nearly two feet of new snow themselves – 50-60cm in fact, much of it falling in the last 72 hours. On piste conditions are good across the country with upper slope base depths typically in the 1-2m bracket. Most areas have good cover at resort level too with the thinnest reported at 20cm in Chamonix, but for most it's 30-90cm. Avoriaz has the deepest snow in the French Alps from bottom (180cm/6 feet) to top (3.1m/10.3 feet). Italy After a snowy week in Italy last week there's been little new snow in the country since the weekend, with only half-a-dozen of the leading resorts reporting 10-20cm of fresh cover, most in the West (alps) as they have been all of this season, although Selva in Val Gardena in the Dolomites did report 15cm/6 inches at the weekend. The biggest falls were once again reported by Cervinia, with 55cm in the past week (nearly two feet), the last of it falling on Sunday/Monday. Snow depths continue to be relatively good across most of Italy with up to 4.8m (at Madesimo) reported on upper runs (most 1-3m) and the thinnest base 20cm at a few areas in the Dolomites, but most with 60cm/2 feet plus) Switzerland Swiss resorts have seen the most new snow in the world this week, with ALL of the country's top 30 or so areas receiving at least 15cm/6 inches of snow, around 80% at least double that and at the top end a dozen or so report 60-90cm (2-3 feet) of fresh powder. Grindelwald reports the biggest snowfall in the world this week with 83cm whilst Andermatt, with 83cm, has reached the 5m snow depth on its upper slopes – the first resort in the Alps to do so. As with the rest of the Alps conditions are generally excellent across the country. Remarkably Europe's highest ski area at Zermatt has the thinnest base reported in the country at its base with 20cm (but nearer 3m on the year round slopes up top). Scandinavia Good conditions still in Scandinavia with, once again, the most snow reported in Norway, but still healthy base depths at Finnish and Swedish ski areas. Voss in Norway reports 70cm of fresh snow and a 2m base on upper slopes. Lillehammer is now only 5cm behind, but most other areas have 80-150cm bases and have had 15-30cm of fresh snow this week. Pyrenees After the huge snowfalls in the Pyrenees a week ago, the past seven days have been much quieter with just a few centimetres of fresh snow after the two metres in the previous seven days. Snow depths are amongst the world's deepest with 5.4m at Piau Engaly in France – the first resort to pass the 5m snow depth mark. Things are returning to normal in the region with access roads re-opened and slopes groomed but the avalanche danger remains very high off-piste. Eastern Europe A quiet week for snowfall in Eastern Europe too with just a few inches of fresh snow reported on the slopes of Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia. Cover remains good at most centres however with at least a metre snow depth on the groomed piste, rising to over 2m on upper runs at Bansko and Borovets. Some quite large snowfalls – perhaps around a foot – are expected over the weekend. Scotland Scotland's mostly excellent 2014-15 season continues with another week of fresh snowfall and mostly good conditions, with blue skies between the snow storms and not too many wind-closure periods. The West Coast resorts of Glencoe and Nevis Range have again reported the biggest snowfalls of up to 90cm/three feet in the last seven days. Snowfalls were much smaller at the other three areas further East but cover remains good. Temperatures are expected to shoot up to double figures this weekend which could prove problematic on lower slopes. North America Canada It's been another week with little fresh snowfall in Canada, but temperature in BC have at least been dipping back towards double digits below zero – closer to a normal Canadian winter. Until yesterday Revelstoke in BC had had the most snow in the country – around 15cm/6 inches, most other resorts are reporting half that at best, but then it snowed in Quebec with La Massif and Mont Ste Anne reporting 25cm/10 inches of snow in 24 hours. Snow depths are fairly samey mostly in the1m to 1.5m region, right across the country. Little change is expected in the coming week. USA A snowy week in Western USA with resorts in California, Colorado and Utah reporting 30-60cm (1-2 feet) of fresh snow in the past few days. Aspen, Breckenridge and Telluride in Colorado and Solitude in Utah reported the biggest accumulations, all in the 50-60cm bracket. Jackson Hole in Wyoming reported a foot of new snow and continues to report the country's deepest snow at 2.2m (over seven feet). After all the snow iof the past five weeks, it hs been quieter in New England, although most areas sill added three to six inches of fresh cover. |
|
|
Last two seasons have ended with over 2metres of snow still on the top slopes, so should be no worries. Here you go...
 |
|
Pretty much this. If your winter tyres are half-decent they'll get you there 99% of the time but occasionally you'll have a slope with fresh snow on an icy base or something... Depends on your car as well of course (assuming winters, then 4WD and/or a lighter car will keep you mobile uphill for longer). Think I've only needed to put chains on winter tyres a couple of times in <cough> years (usually on a hire car that had crap rubber on). |
|
:lol: :lol: |
|
|
J2Ski Snow Report - February 26th 2015
Snow Report Summary Ooh look, it's been snowing again. And next week it's going to snow some more... This Week's Headlines - Up to 1.7m (nearly six feet) of new snow in the Pyrenees. - Up to 85cm (nearly three feet) of new snow in the Rockies. - Up to 1m (over three feet) of new snow on Scottish slopes. - Up to 90cm (three feet) of new snow in the Alps. - Much needed snow falls in California, as well as in the Dolomites. - Almost as much snow expected again in coming week. - Resorts in France, Italy and Switzerland reporting joint world's deepest snowpascks at 4.8m (16 feet) The last week of February has been one of the snowiest weeks of the season, and certainly the snowiest of the month in many areas of the northern hemisphere. Most resorts in the Alps have had significant snowfall, with once again the Western and southern alps getting the most, although this time the area covered has stretched further north. Bigger snowfalls still have been reported in the Pyrenees. The Dolomites, which much of the big snowfalls have missed this season so far, got up to around a foot of snow too. There have also been significant snowfalls in Scotland, with one area estimating around a metre of fresh snow has fallen on their slopes this week. Across the Atlantic it has been a fifth snowy week in a row for New England but there have also been significant snowfalls in the Rockies and even further west in California where it's particularly needed this winter. Compared to last year 
A quick review of current snow depths against the last two seasons (all available on J2Ski's snow history pages) shows that the season has recovered well from a late start, and some areas now have more snow than a year earlier. In the French Pyrenees, impressive bases (exceeding 3m) are deeper than the same time last year. The French and Swiss Alps have comparable snow levels at altitude, although snow at low levels is still below average in places. Austrian areas are similar, but with notable exceptions like St.Anton where snow depths are well ahead of a year ago. In Italy, the Aosta Valley is reporting similar depths (to last season), although the Dolomites are generally a bit behind. In The Forecast! All the current forecast models are indicating that widespread snows will continue across The Alps and Pyrenees into the next week, and there is now a possibility that the effects of a forecast move in the Jetstream will bring further cold and snow in from the East in 10 days time. In other words; there's no sign of the snow stopping yet and late-season prospects are looking good at this point! Check the J2Ski Forecasts regularly for the latest updates! The Alps Austria In common with the past few waves of snow bearing clouds that have crossed the alps, Austrian areas have fared the least well of the big four Alpine nations, with the snow arriving from the west there last and falling, so far at least, in smaller volumes than further west and south. BUT Austrian areas have, non-the-less, benefitted from the fresh snow with many areas reporting 10-20cm of new snow and some – including Obergurgl and Kaprun, closer to 50cm. There's been about a foot (30cm) at St Johann in the Skiwelt, at St Anton and many other areas have had 15-20cm of fresh. France French resorts have seen some big snowfalls this week, with the biggest accumulations in the country – and in the world – reported in the French Pyrenees with up to nearly six feet of new snow (1.7m at Cauterets). Other resorts in the French Pyrenees report 60-90cm of fresh snow. But the French Alps too, have reported big accumulations, led by Avoriaz with 80cm of snow so far. Other areas Like Val Thorens, Flaine, Les Gets and Tignes have had 60cm/two feet and Chamonix, Les Menuires, Serre Chevalier and many others are close behind with 50cm. Snow depths are very healthy across the country with all resorts reporting at least 40cm at resort level and most 1.5-2m on upper slopes. Italy There have been healthy snowfalls again in Italy and this time the snow has continued across to the Dolomites where resorts like Val Gardena have had a foot of fresh cover, and are rather excited about it. The biggest snowfalls have once again been in the West though and Cervinia has had one of the biggest snowfalls in the world this week – reporting just under a metre (98cm/3.3 feet) of fresh snowfall. There's been 42cm in the Milky way area and 50cm at Madesimo, which continues to measure 4.8m on its upper slopes, one of three resorts in Europe measuring this figure, the deepest in the world at present. But snow depths are good across the country, the thinnest cover remaining in the Dolomites where many areas have 10-15cm at resort level although mostly over a metre on upper runs. Switzerland Home to a second ski area claiming a 4.8m base, Andermatt, which had another two feet or so of snow this week, Swiss resorts have also had a good week for fresh snow with powder the order of the day now at most areas and Gstaad reporting 95cm (over three feet) of new snow this week – another of the leading resorts in the world for end-of-Feb snowfall volumes. Other Swiss resorts posting big new snow totals include Wengen with 60cm, Grindelwald with 85cm and Saas Fee with 65cm. Many other Swiss resorts report 30-50cm of fresh snow so far. Again snow depths are good pretty well everywhere with most areas having at least 30cm at resort level and a metre plus on upper runs – often double or triple those numbers. Scandinavia Another moderately snowy week in Scandinavia. Most Norwegian resorts reported 20-30cm of new snow, spread through the past few days, whilst in Sweden there was 20cm at Salen, but only 2cm at the region's largest resort Are, which has a 45-55cm base, one of the smallest in Scandinavia. Only a few centimetres of snow in Finland but cover remains good at close to a metre in most Finnish slopes. Pyrenees A remarkably snowy week in the Pyrenees with big snowfalls on the French side, as mentioned in the French report, but also 90-120cm of fresh snow in Andorra (that's 3-4 feet!) . In Spain snow depths are now passed the 3m/10 feet mark at a number of areas with a metre of new snow at the largest resort, Baqueira Beret, which now has more than 2.5m of snow at resort level, and over 3.6m (12 feet) on upper runs. Eastern Europe There's been little or no fresh snow reported in Eastern European nations over the past week, but large snowfalls are expected in the coming days as the snow bearing clouds over the Alps continue east. In any case snow depths remain largely good thanks to the healthy snowfalls earlier this month. Scotland Virtually all of Scotland's runs remain open after more fresh snow fell, improving conditions. The biggest accumulation is an estimated metre at Glencoe. As is often the case, strong winds have had the greatest impact on operations, with partial closures on occasions, particularly on higher runs. Cairngorm has the most closed runs, whilst the four other Highland areas are more or less fully open. Cairngorm says fresh snow is improving conditions on lower runs. The off piste avalanche danger is reported to be high. North America Canada Western Canadian resorts got some respite from the unseasonably mild conditions early last weekend when 5-20cm of fresh snow freshening up the slopes, but there's been little since. Instead areas in Quebec were the most recent beneficiaries of fresh snow, with Tremblant and Mont Ste Anne announcing around 20cm each fell on Monday. Not a lot of fresh snow is expected in the West over the coming week but there may be more substantial falls in Quebec. USA Although it was another snowy week in the East, for the first time this month, possibly this year, Western areas took top spot for the most snow in the US this week, with Durango (formerly Purgatory) in southern Colorado reporting nearly three feet (78cm) of fresh snow, nearby Telluride wasn't far behind. Most other Colorado ski areas got a foot of snow and there were smaller falls in Utah, Montana and Wyoming to the north. Southern California also got some much needed snow with a foot at Mammoth Mountain, although only a few inches made it up to Tahoe resorts. As mentioned it was a fifth snowy week in a row on the east coast with 30-45cm (12-18 inches) of new snow reported by many resorts in the region. More large snowfalls are expected in the Rockies and once again in New England over the coming week. |
|
|
Did you try swapping skis?
Doesn't sound like the gel soles would make that much difference and, if you're sure your weight / foot pressure is in the right place, then I'd be looking at the position of the bindings I think? Sounds a bit odd though. |
|
|
Great info there, thanks - think I might park that on the maybe list for now then. 8)
|
|
|
Has anyone driven to the Dolomites from the UK??? Feasible, or just too much hassle compared to resorts with a shorter drive?
|
|