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Editorial overview of the latest snow conditions by country. (Updated every Monday and Thursday afternoon.)
| Introduction (snow news updated 24-apr-2008) |
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This weekend heralds the end of the winter season for many more resorts but fresh snow has blessed the upper ski slopes across Europe this week. The climate is now more typical of spring though so the new powder is freshest at higher altitudes.
This week’s fresh snow has laid great foundations for glacier skiing at resorts in Austria and Italy as they prepare for spring glacier skiing operations.
The French and Swiss resorts have also been blessed by new snowfalls this week on the higher slopes. Temperatures are above freezing at mid-mountain giving rise to typical spring snow conditions under mostly sunny skies this weekend.
The open Scottish resorts also offer spring snow conditions on the well covered upper ski areas.
In America, the open resorts in Colorado maintain a wintry climate about with thick snow depths covering the terrain. Timberline in Oregon topped a six metre average snow depth again this week following more heavy snowfalls.
In Canada the skiing at the Alberta resort has been enhanced by fresh snowfalls all week. They continue to offer powdery conditions as more snow is forecast to grace the slopes before the weekend arrives.
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Austria
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Fresh snowfalls this week provide excellent cover on the higher slopes at the Austrian resorts, making for a fantastic end to the season for some.
Hintertux (25/325cm) and Kaunertal (0/306cm) saw at least 10cm of snow fall on Tuesday on their glaciers leaving soft and powdery conditions.
The Stubai glacier, accessed from Neustift (50/280cm), received snow on Wednesday. 15cm of new snow settled on the upper slopes leaving a fresh surface for snowsports this week.
The greatest snowfalls of our reported Austrian resorts have been reported by Obergurgl (15/186cm), with 30cm falling on Tuesday. Although the cover is getting thin around resort level, you can head to the upper slopes for some excellent powdery conditions in the last few days of their winter season.
The higher slopes at Ischgl (10/170cm) had a 15cm dump of snow on Tuesday but the resort runs have been dampened by wetter precipitation due to the elevated freezing levels this week.
Rain showers are due on Friday as mountain temperatures continue to rise across Austria. The weather this weekend is expected to be brighter and drier but more rain is predicted to fall on Monday.
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France
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Snowfalls this week have left yet more fresh snow about the highest slopes across the resorts in France. Spring snow conditions also exist as mid-mountain temperatures have risen above freezing.
Temperatures have risen sharply but there is fresh snow on the upper pistes at Chamonix and Argentiere (50/640cm) after a 20cm increase in the upper base depth following Tuesday’s snowfalls.
Cauterets (0/306cm) in the Pyrenees will see their season finish with great spring snow conditions under predominantly sunny skies this week. A 10cm snowfall on Monday refreshed the upper ski areas.
Courchevel (119/220cm), Flaine (20/380cm), La Plagne (155/290cm) and La Rosiere (108/315cm) all offer their visitors fresh snow conditions after 10cm of snow fell earlier this week.
The Espace Killy slopes at Tignes (126/310cm) and Val d’Isere (104/140cm) were graced with 20cm of new snow on Tuesday. Pockets of powder can still be found on the upper off-piste areas. The snow is well maintained here with upper mountain temperatures still below freezing on Thursday.
The forecast across France is for mostly sunny skies over the weekend with the highest temperatures expected on Sunday. Rain showers are forecast from Monday accompanied by a slight drop in the temperatures.
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Switzerland
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Fresh snow has fallen at many of the open Swiss resorts this week, although spring snow can be skied especially on the lower areas.
The temperatures may be mild lower down at Andermatt (10/390cm) but the thick upper base was added to by 20cm of new snow on Wednesday. The lower slopes are now closed for snowsports but there is no shortage of snow on the upper terrain.
New snow fell on the glacier at Engelberg (0/530cm) on Wednesday, where excellent riding is available on the well groomed pistes.
35cm of snow fell on the glacier at Gstaad (20/347cm) on Tuesday, transforming the upper slopes to a powder paradise. With fewer people on the slopes this cover will stay fresh for snowsports over the weekend.
Changeable weather is forecast as we move into the weekend with the brightest skies on Saturday. Even though the temperature is forecast to drop on Monday some rain could fall.
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Italy
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The open Italian resorts have reported excellent powder skiing opportunities at altitude this week due the temperatures remaining low.
The glacier at Cervinia (50/230cm) is the place to be for powder skiing this week. The temperature at altitude remains around -10°C maintaining the 25cm of fresh snow that fell on Monday in soft and heavenly state.
The Faloria area at Cortina (0/80cm) received 10cm of new snow on Tuesday.
It is the last few days of the season for Courmayeur (50/150cm) as Sunday 27th April is the scheduled last day of the winter season. Sunny weather is forecast over the weekend and typical spring conditions exist with the snow pack firm in the morning but softer after midday as the sun warms the snow.
Val Senales (50/150cm) boasts the lowest mountain climate of the open Italian resorts we report on this week. Excellent glacier skiing is on offer after the slopes were refreshed with 15cm of new snow on Monday.
The skies are due to become clear over the weekend after some cloudier weather on Thursday and Friday. Unfortunately rain may fall on Monday.
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Andorra
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The resorts we report on in Andorra have now closed for the 2007/8 season.
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Norway / Sweden
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Typical spring conditions are dominating the open resorts that we report on in Norway. The pistes firm up over night and then soften throughout the day.
Good conditions can be found from top to bottom at Hemsedal (122/180cm) and Geilo (90/90cm). Both resorts have packed pistes in the morning but the bottom slopes becomes slushy towards the end of the day.
At Oppdal (40/150cm) and Trysil (0/160cm) the best skiing is on the upper slopes. At Oppdal the lower pistes are predominantly soft even early in the morning and at Trysil the lower pistes have now closed.
In Sweden Sälen (50/109cm) has the deepest snow base on their upper slopes, but this does not detract from the excellent late season cover at Åre (55/74cm) too.
The late season conditions at our reported Swedish resorts are excellent this season. The mild sunny weather means that spring snow dominates, with the firmest snow available early in the morning before the sun warms the slopes. Heavy clouds are forecast to move in at the start of next week, which could bring some wet weather.
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Germany
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Garmisch (0/405cm) has cold temperatures about the upper areas and the heavy clouds on Thursday could deliver fresh snow before the weekend. Cloudy weather will dominate the skies over Garmisch until Saturday, and light snowfalls are expected each day. The sun will then break through a little on Sunday.
The climate is warmer at Oberstdorf (0/310cm) so spring conditions dominate on the open Nebelhorn area. The partly sunny weather on Thursday will change to heavier clouds on Friday, which could bring rain. Oberstdorf will have a mixture of sunny and cloudy spells over the weekend.
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Bulgaria
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The resorts we report on in Bulgaria have now closed for the 2007/8 season.
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Scotland
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Good skiing can still be enjoyed on the upper pistes at the open resorts in Scotland.
At Cairngorm (25/95cm) the pistes firm up overnight but soon become soft the daytime. The best cover is on the upper pistes but more rocks are beginning to show through on M1, M2 and Lady. It is still possible to get back to the car park via the Fiacaill Ridge but the cover is thin and patchy especially towards the bottom.
Similar conditions can be found at the Nevis Range (15/80cm) where the upper pistes have a good cover of soft spring snow. Lower down the cover has become patchy in places especially right at the bottom.
Glencoe (35/85cm) and The Lecht (15/25cm) are temporarily closed on Thursday. Glencoe is planning to reopen on Friday once the bad weather has passed. The Lecht well reopen once there is enough snow for skiing and boarding.
Glenshee is closed for the winter season 2007/8.
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USA
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The climate is still cold at Arapahoe Basin (160cm) in Colorado on Thursday and temperatures are forecast to hit -20°C with added wind chill. This is preserving conditions well making for great riding this weekend.
Snowbasin (320cm) in Utah is running two lifts on Thursday taking visitors to an array of groomed runs on the upper mountain. Snowbird (351cm) has seven lifts operating and colder temperatures provide a wintry feel to the slopes.
In California, temperatures dropped enough on Tuesday night to yield fresh snow on the peaks at Squaw Valley (91/254cm).
Sugarbush (38/152cm) and Sunday River (30/91cm) in Vermont offer spring skiing conditions under sunny skies this week. Shedding layers is advised as temperatures are forecast to reach close to 20°C in the sunshine on Thursday.
The bumper snowfalls that were forecast came to Timberline (602cm) in Oregon this week and the average snow depth has again topped six metres. Deep powder covers the entire ski area on Thursday.
Mount Snow (30/122cm) in Vermont and Aspen (0/330cm) in Colorado are due to reopen for snowsports over the weekend for the last time this season.
Resorts in Colorado can expected snow light snowfalls on Saturday with sunny and cloudy weather on the days either side. Sunshine and mostly blue skies are forecast at the resorts in Vermont and California. The wintry weather at Timberline in Oregon is forecast to leave 24cm of snow over the weekend.
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Canada
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The Canadian resorts in Alberta are fairing well due to fresh snowfalls this week.
Sunshine Village in Banff, Alberta (60/208cm) has seen dustings of snow this week and has accumulated 69cm of new snow since last Friday and all the trails are still open. It is the last chance to experience the snow at Lake Louise this season as the resort is due to close on Sunday.
It is also the final days of the season at Jasper (121cm) in Alberta. The slopes have also benefited from regular dusting this week and 40cm of new snow has settled since Friday last week. More snow is expected on Thursday laying down great conditions until the lifts stop turning this Sunday.
Snow is forecast over Blackcomb Mountain at Whistler (238cm) in British Columbia. The excellent snow base has been maintained by low temperatures and the trails remain crisp and reactive.
Mont Saint-Anne (58/200cm) in Quebec will reopen for the final time this weekend.
The Wintry weather is forecast to break on Saturday across the mountains in Canada with sunshine and blue skies. A return to a mixture of sun, clouds and snow showers is then expected to resume from Sunday.
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European Weather Outlook
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As mountain temperatures continue to rise across Austria, France and Italy rain showers could fall Friday. The weekend is set to see brighter and drier skies but more rain is forecast on Monday.
In Switzerland changeable weather is forecast as we move into the weekend with the brightest skies expected on Saturday. Even though the temperature is forecast to drop on Monday some rain could fall.
In Germany cloudy weather will dominate the skies over Garmisch until Saturday, and light snowfalls are expected each day. The sun will then break through a little on Sunday. Oberstdorf will have a mixture of sunny and cloudy spells over the weekend.
It is going to be sunny in Norway on Thursday and Friday. The skies will start to cloud over on Friday night and it will remain overcast for the rest of the weekend. Sunny skies and mild temperatures dominate in Sweden as we move into the weekend. Heavy clouds are forecast to move in at the start of next week, which could bring some wet weather.
Scotland will have a wet and windy weekend with only the odd sunny spell. The temperatures are set to fall early next week and snow is forecast.
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North American Weather Outlook
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The warm and sunny weather is expected to continue at resorts in Vermont and California. Apart from some snowfalls on Saturday the resorts in Colorado are forecast sunshine and clouds over the weekend and into next week. Timberline in Oregon expects yet more cloudy and snowy weather.
The wintry weather is forecast to break on Saturday across the mountains in Canada with sunshine and blue skies. A return to a mixture of sun, clouds and snow showers is then expected to resume from Sunday.
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See below for a selection of resorts with the best snow conditions:
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