J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

Argentiere in the Chamonix Valley is now reporting it has had 179cm of fresh snow in the last week, around six feet of new snow.

The latest tally follows another foot or so of snow fell across many parts of the Alps for the third (or in some cases fourth or fifth) day in a row.

Other French resorts have reported big snowfalls too. Meribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens, Alpe d'Huez, Flaine and La Plagne report accumulations of between 1.1 and 1.5m in the same period (just under four feet up to five feet). Courchevel (pictured on Friday above before the latest snowfall) has reported 55cm (nearly two feet) of new snow in the last 24 hours.

Heavy snowfall has also been reported in the Pyrenees, and the Dolomites, which had been lagging behind areas to the north, have also seen substantial snowfall.

Soldeu, part of the Grandvalira area of Andorra in the Pyrenees is also one of the snowiest areas in the world this week, reporting 1.2m (four feet) of new snow.

Besides French resorts and Soldeu, the biggest snowfall elsewhere in the Alps was reported with a metre of fresh snow, Cervinia is the snowiest Italian resort with 75cm and in Austria, Mayrhofen has had two feet (60cm) of fresh snow.

The snowfall, by far the greatest this season in Europe – which is forecast to continue over the coming week but decrease in volume – is in line with forecasts made a week ago.

Recent weeks have seen dramatic fluctuation in currency exchange rates between the UK and the world's leading skiing nations – as well as many of the minor ones.

The weakening of the Euro and the decision by the Swiss Central bank to stop attempting to limit its strength on the international market means its good news or bad for Brits heading to Europe, depending on where they're heading.

The good news is that prices have dropped considerably at the ski areas that most of us head to – France, Austria, Italy, Andorra, Finland and Canada for example. The bad news is that for ski holidays to Switzerland and the US, it's now more expensive still.

With Euro exchange rates the best they've been for more than five years, prices in the Alps (except Switzerland), Pyrenees, Dolomites and other ski nations in the Euro-zone including Finland, Slovakia and Slovenia are around eight percent cheaper for Brits compared to a year ago with the pound buying around 1.3 Euros.
Prices in Switzerland, which were already considered high for those not resident in the country have surged by around 13% however after the Swiss Central Bank's decision.

Interestingly in Norway, traditionally thought of as one of the most expensive European destinations for Brits, the pound has continued to gain strength year-on-year and now buys around 11.5 krona compared to 8.5 Krona only two years ago – a rise of about a third.

Skiers heading across the Atlantic will find the US dollar at a two-year high against the pound with the pound buying only 1.5 dollars, but by contrast the pound has gradually increased in value against the Canadian dollar, now buying more than 1.8 Canadian dollars, making skiing in Canada more affordable.

'The Swiss Central Bank's decision to unfix its currency against the euro could change the dynamics of the European ski property market in Europe this year,' said Julian Walker, director at Skiingproperty.com, who added that the weak Rouble has pushed prices up for rich Russians aiming to buy in the French Alps by 60% .

"France, a truly international market, immediately becomes more attractive to foreign buyers – and it's not only property that has become more expensive in Switzerland, but so have all the associated costs of ownership, including mortgage repayments. There could also be repercussions for the rentals market."

The snow stats are building rapidly in the Alps as the morning's tally come in from overnight accumulations.

French resorts have been posting particularly big numbers with Megeve claiming 30cm, Les 2 Alpes 40cm, La plagne 43cm, La Rosiere 48cm, Val Thorens and Le Grand Bornand 50cm and Avoriaz 60cm (two feet) in the last 24 hours.

These totals are the biggest so far in a continuing storm which some forecasters believe will see more than double these amounts falling by the end of the weekend.

The 72 hour snowfall tally to date is led by Courchevel, with 90cm (three feet) of fresh snow falling since Tuesday, Avoviax has had 88cm and Les Saisies 78cm.

All of the snow looks to be good news for the busy half term holidays period that dominates February in the French Alps.

It's the tour operator's main weekly change over day in the French Alps tomorrow and the snow will prove challenging to road crews.

Although France has seen the most snow in the past few days, most other countries and resorts in the alps have seen big snowfall too and Austrian areas received more snow than French resorts at the start of the week. An Innsbruck ski area reports nearly three feet of snow in the past few days.

Bardonecchia in the NW corner of Italy has had a foot of snow in the last 24 hours and two feet in three days, Leysin in Switzerland has reported similar figures, most other areas have had at least a foot and in many cases two feet of fresh snow so far.

Although exceptional weather combined with big crowds can cause travel chaos in unusual circumstances, as witnessed by the problems in the French Alps on the last Saturday of last year, things can go wrong on any independent transfer if you don't take simple precautions, according to one established ski resort transfer company.

With big snowfall in the Alps at present and another change over Saturday coming up, Ski-Lifts.com have come up with advice for skiers and boarders on what to look for in a transfer company, and what preparations you should make even after you have booked the transfer, in case things go wrong.

"Year after year Ski-Lifts reps watch alarmed as families arrive for their winter break believing that they can pick up a transfer at the airport," said the company's Charlotte Lee, "On a standard day that would be tough, but during peak season dates such as in February, people have been stuck at airport overnight, or left with only very expensive options to get them to resort – not the best way to start your holiday."

The company recommend those needing to book independent transfers do so at least two weeks prior to their holiday, or get the best deals by booking even earlier; that they research the firm (are they reputable? reliable?) …and that they read the small print.

For example quite often flights don't come in on time, especially in bad weather so you need to know your transfers company's policy on delays. You should also double check the details of your booking and ensure you have travel insurance in case things go wrong despite all your efforts.

"This problem doesn't just occur for those who fail to book a transfer. We've watched in dismay as holiday makers arrive on a delayed flight, only to find out they have missed their transfer and that there is little their transfer company will do to accommodate them. All too often the solution to this is an airport taxi (if one is even available), which often comes with a surprisingly high fare, and is unlikely to be refunded," said Charlotte.

[Disclosure :- Ski Lifts are a J2Ski Partner]

Although the much anticipated winter storm Juno in the Eastern US has not yet delivered the catastrophic conditions forecast, and seems to have tracked south of the main destination ski areas in New England, it has led to several ski areas in the region shutting down for various reasons, leading local media to up that there was a fear of "too much snow for skiing."

So far resorts in the region have reported only a few inches of the "up to two feet" of snow expected in the Berkshire mountains, but the storm is ongoing and overnight measurements are not yet in.

The main reasons for closure appear to have been fears of strong winds forecast with the snow making lift operations problematic, and of travel bans, with fines for those found to be driving yesterday is Massachusetts due to the state of emergency.

Catamount Ski Area's website stated, "Although winter storm Juno is bearing down on us with up to two feet of snow, we will remain closed Tuesday with travel bans in NY, CT and MA. Think about coming out on Wednesday for lots of powder."

Ski Butternut was also closed.

Further north larger resorts in Vermont were mostly open yesterday but were not in the direct track of the storm.

Forecast snowfall across the Alps this week is starting to build up with resorts in Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland reporting up to 48cm (17 inches) of snow in the last 24 hours, although most areas have reported 15-30cm (6 inches to a foot).

Among resorts reporting a powder day today are Chamonix, St Anton and Verbier, each saying they have 20cm of fresh snow up top. Most other ski areas are also reporting healthy snowfalls.
The biggest accumulation reported was on Austria's highest slopes on the Pitztal glacier which reported 48cm of fresh snow.

The snow is also falling right down to the valley floor, with Chamonix posting this image this morning. This is particularly noteworthy as snow not falling to lower elevations has been an issue in parts of the Alps so far this winter.

The snow is expected to continue throughout the week with the most optimistic forecasts predicting over a metre to fall in places.

In Germany the highest area on the Zugspitz glacier has reported more than 20cm of snow for each of the last two days.

Elsewhere in the world, heavy snow is forecast on Scottish and northern English hills on Wednesday and Thursday and New England in the US is currently on a state of emergency with huge snowfalls getting underway.

I am told by the chap who sent the report in to us that final numbers were 820 participants with a total of 870 including committee and support staff.

Hmm, I got the number from pic credit which reads, "Pictures taken at the annual RNWSA (Royal Navy Winter Sports Association) Ski Championships.This years Ski Champs took place in Tignes, France, and was attended by over 900 Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel.During the two week event, personnel were given the opportunity to take part in both ski and snowboard lessons, ranging from complete novice to advanced, and to also compete against each other in races.The RNWSA Ski Champs are the largest sporting event held by the Royal Navy.Photographs by LA(Phot) Joel RouseeditDelete caption." I was thinking Tignes would be happy with 900 punters. I'll double check with the source though.