| Snow Report - 26 Jan 2015 | | Last snowed | 25-Jan-2015 |
| Fresh snow | 6 cm |
| Lower slopes | 52 cm |
| Upper slopes | 89 cm |
| Pistes | | Piste state | Good |
| Runs to resort | Good |
| Off piste snow | Varied |
| Comments | Improving conditions thanks to the new snow |
| Lifts open | 49 |
| Lifts total | 53 |
Snow Overview - France (snow news updated 26-Jan-2015)
Most of the northern and western parts of the French Alps caught some new snowfall over the weekend, although the southern Alps missed out. Light snow was falling in these areas again on Monday 26th January, but it the south some sunshine was still to be found.
Tignes (51/110cm) picked up 5cm of light dry snow on Sunday and the Ski Club Ambassador in resort reported some great conditions as a result. At the other end of the Espace Killy, some great skiing was also reported in Val d’Isere (51/110cm).
The Portes du Soleil is offering some good skiing, especially on the upper slopes. Avoriaz (100/150cm) offers the pick of the conditions as it sits at high altitude, although the Ski Club Ambassador in resort reported some icy patches on resort runs later in the day. 189 lifts were in operation across the area on Monday 26th January and all of the links were open.
A period of persistent heavy snowfall is expected for the northern and western French Alps between Thursday and Sunday, with up a metre of fresh snow forecast during the period. Unfortunately the southern resorts such as Isola 2000 are expected to miss out on significant falls.
Cauterets (100/170cm) in the Pyrenees currently has one of the greatest base depths in the country and saw a further 10cm of fresh snow on Sunday 25th. Lots more is forecast for the Pyrenees this week and Cauterets may pick up more than 70cm of fresh snow.
European Weather Outlook
The snow falling in the western Alps on Monday is forecast to move east, so all resorts should see some powder come Tuesday morning. Between 20 and 30cm is forecast over a large area, with the heaviest falls in the north, with the southern Alps only seeing some light flurries. A much heavier period of snowfall is expected from Thursday onwards, potentially carrying through into the start of next week. Northern areas will see the most snow, with current forecasts suggesting they will pick up 50-75cm of fresh snow. Less is forecast for the southern Alps, but totals of around 20-30cm can still be expected. Temperatures will remain low; with freezing levels dropping below 500m from Friday onwards, so make sure you have a set of snow chains if driving to the Alps this weekend.
Light snow is expected in Andorra to start the new week before brighter skies return on Wednesday. This will not last long however as heavy snow is expected between Thursday and Sunday. Totals of 60-80cm are currently forecast so there should be some excellent powder to start off the month of February.
Some sunshine is expected in Scandinavia on Tuesday, before a return to cloudier and snowier weather. Up to 20cm of new snow is predicted before the skies are set to clear on Saturday – so the weekend’s skiing could be fantastic, especially as temperatures are set to remain nicely below freezing.
Light snow is forecast to remain in place until Wednesday in Bulgaria, before the clouds part to reveal some good sunny breaks on Thursday and Friday. A return to cloudy and snowy weather is currently expected on Saturday.
A return to snowy weather is forecast this week for Scotland and by Wednesday the freezing level should have dropped right down to the surface. Current indications suggest the heaviest snow will fall in the west (Glencoe & Nevis Range) on Wednesday/Thursday and then in the east (Cairngorm, The Lecht, Glenshee) on Thursday/Friday. Winds are forecast to be high so watch out for disruption to lift operations.