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Today in the Alps - November 2020
Read about current weather and snow conditions in the Alps
Updated: 10am Monday 30 November 2020 – Major pattern change imminent!
After a very dry November, the weather in the Alps is on the change, with snow likely for many regions at some point this week.
Fine weather again in St Anton today but snow is forecast on Tuesday – 30 November 2020 – Photo: stantonamarlberg.com
Today will again be dry with plenty of sunshine at altitude, however, a cold front will deliver snow to the northern Alps tomorrow with a rain/snow limit falling to between 400m and 800m. Accumulations will be relatively modest, typically with 5-15cm above 1500m (e.g. Avoriaz, Mürren, Lech) while some southern parts of the Alps will remain mostly or even completely dry.
Later in the week, attention will turn towards the southern Alps where much more significant snowfall is likely. Indeed, by next weekend we could be looking at some extreme snowfall totals in places. Stay tuned!
Skiing in the Alps is still only possible in Switzerland due to Covid-19 related restrictions elsewhere. Today you can ski in eight Swiss resorts, these being Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Glacier 3000, Engelberg, Laax, Arosa, Davos-Klosters and St Moritz – the most that have been open on a Monday so far this season – albeit in most cases still only on a very limited basis.
Snow conditions are mediocre for late November. There is some reasonable piste skiing on hard-packed pistes in the open Swiss resorts but below glacier level artificial snow is necessary (e.g. in Arosa). The weather in the Alps is on the change though, meaning fresh snow for most areas by the weekend, if not before.
Updated: 12pm Saturday 28 November 2020 - The weather pattern in the Alps is changing…
The weather pattern in the Alps is finally starting to change – good news after a month of mostly dry weather and just a couple of minor snowfalls.
Still mostly fine across the Alps today but the weather pattern is changing. This Méribel – 28 November 2020 – Photo: merinet.com
Today it is snowing in the far southern Piedmont (e.g. Limone, Passo Tonale), where 5-15cm is expected by the end of the day. There may also be a sprinkling over the border in resorts such as Isola 2000 but, for the vast majority of the Alps, it will be another dry day with more and more sunshine the further north and east you are.
After a couple more mostly fine days on Sunday and Monday, a cold front will bring some snow to the Alps on Tuesday, mostly to the north where the rain/snow limit will descend to between 400m and 800m. Quantities of snow will generally be quite modest, typically 5-10cm above 1200m, but with 20cm+ in a few favoured spots. More significant and widespread snow is then likely later in the week.
A dozen or so ski areas are partially open this weekend, all of which are in Switzerland. Covid-related restrictions have closed all resorts to the public elsewhere in the Alps. New to the list of openings are St Moritz’s Corvatsch and Corviglia areas, while the nearby Diavolezza glacier has now closed again until 23 December. Saas-Fee and Zermatt remain the best bets in terms of variety and extent of open terrain.
Updated: 10.30am Friday 27 November 2020 – Another fine day in the Alps, snow for far south-west tomorrow…
It’s another glorious day in the Alps, at least above any low cloud or fog, which is continuing to plague certain valleys, mostly those close to the northern foothills.
Modest (mostly artificial) snow cover in Obertauern – 27 November 2020 – Photo: foto-webcam.eu
Some snow (1200-1500m) will clip the far south-eastern French (e.g. Isola 2000) and south-western Italian Alps (e.g. Limone) tomorrow, with increasingly bright skies the further north and east you are. After another couple of mostly fine days on Sunday and Monday, a weak cold front could then bring a little snow (800-1000m) to the northern Alps on Tuesday, especially in the north-east, but it probably won’t amount to very much.
Later next week we are likely to see a more substantial change in the weather, with some significant snow for the southern Alps.
Six resorts are open for skiing to the public today, all in Switzerland, these being Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Glacier 3000, Engelberg, Andermatt and Davos/Klosters. As regular followers of weathertoski will be aware, up to 11 Swiss resorts have been open over recent weekends though.
Snow conditions are fine for on-piste skiing, but snow cover is generally very modest for late November. Some artificial snow-making has been in evidence over the last few days, and should in theory be increased next week as temperatures drop. However, with the recent announcement that French ski resorts are now unlikely to open until well into the New Year (and the possibility of other countries following suit), it remains to be seen whether this will be continue to be considered commercially viable.
The next time any ski areas that are open to the public (i.e. those in Switzerland) will see any new snow will be on Tuesday, but probably only in the northern Swiss resorts (e.g. Engelberg) and, even then, only in modest quantities.
Updated: 11am Thursday 26 November 2020 – Mostly fine, but turning colder from the east over the weekend…
The weather in the Alps remains settled, with some low cloud here and there but almost wall-to-wall sunshine at altitude.
The scene at L’Herpie chairlift in Alpe d’Huez (at 2735m) – 26 November 2020 – Photo: alpedhuez.com
After a similar day tomorrow, a few isolated flurries are possible in the far south-western Alps on Saturday (e.g. Isola 2000), otherwise it will be another fine day for most regions. The weather will turn colder this weekend, however, especially in the eastern Alps.
It looks like the weather in the Alps will then remain mostly fine but rather cool for most of next week, with plenty of sunshine (at least at altitude). It may turn a little more unsettled towards the end of next week, but there is still plenty of uncertainty about this, so watch this space!
Today only five resorts are open for skiing to the public, all of these in Switzerland. These are Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Glacier 3000, Engelberg and Davos/Klosters. As regular followers of weathertoski will be aware, up to 11 Swiss resorts have been open over recent weekends though.
Snow conditions are fine for on-piste skiing, but snow cover is generally very modest for late November. Some artificial snow-making has been in evidence over the last few days, and should in theory be increased next week as temperatures drop.
However, with the recent announcement that French ski resorts are now unlikely to open until well into the New Year (and the possibility of other countries following suit), it remains to be seen whether this will be continue to be considered commercially viable.
Updated: 10.30am Wednesday 25 November 2020 - Remaining mostly fine this week…
High pressure is still dominating the weather in the Alps, with plenty of sunshine at altitude but also some significant areas of low cloud, these most apparent close to the northern foothills.
A scene typical of much of the Alps right now. Blue skies and not a huge amount of snow – 25 November 2020 – Photo: laax.com
There will be little change in the weather over the next few days, with plenty more sun and some very mild temperatures at altitude. A little snow is possible over the weekend in the southern Alps, mostly likely in the far south-west, though this is far from certain. The outlook for next week is also somewhat uncertain, but it seems unlikely that we will see any significant widespread snow any time soon.
Today only five resorts are open for skiing to the general public, still all in Switzerland. These are Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Glacier 3000, Engelberg and Davos/Klosters.
As regular followers of weathertoski will be aware, up to 11 Swiss resorts have been open over recent weekends. Snow conditions are fine for on-piste skiing, but snow cover is generally very modest for late November. Snow cannons have been in use in places but, as it has not been that cold, this has not been on an industrial scale.
Updated: 10am Monday 23 November 2020 - A mostly fine week with some snow possible for the southern Alps by the weekend…
High pressure continues to dominate the weather in the Alps, meaning that it will stay dry and mostly sunny (at altitude at least) until the end of the week. It is possible that a Mediterranean storm could deliver some snow to the southern Alps next weekend, but this is still some way off so far from certain yet.
A typical scene in the Alps this week, with fair weather and a bit of snow, but much more is still needed. This is St Anton – 23 November 2020 – Photo: stantonamarlberg.at
As regular followers of weathertoski will be aware, Switzerland is currently the only Alpine country offering any skiing to the public right now, due to Covid-related restrictions having closed the slopes elsewhere. Over the weekend 11 Swiss resorts were open for snowsports. Today this is down to five, namely Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engelberg, Glacier 3000 and Davos-Klosters. Of these, Saas-Fee is currently by far the most extensive option with over 50km of pistes open. Zermatt is second with around 26km.
Skiing conditions will generally be quite pleasant this week, with plenty of fine weather and relatively mild temperatures, particularly at altitude. Recent snowfall will stick around on north-facing slopes for a while, giving the impression that there is quite a lot of snow in some areas, however, on the whole, there is less snow in the Alps than there should be for late November with still no base to speak of in the majority of resorts. This isn’t all that unusual though - some of the best seasons haven’t got going until well into December.
As we mentioned earlier, some snow is possible in the southern Alps this weekend, but there is still no sign of any significant widespread snow any time soon. This is not of huge concern to most resorts yet as, given the current Covid-related restrictions, many don’t plan to open until well into December anyway.
Updated: 2.30pm Sunday 22 November 2020 – No return to winter any time soon…
High pressure is once again dominating the weather in the Alps, with no sign of any new snow falling any time soon. Not long ago, it had looked as if there might be a chance of a return to more unsettled conditions later next week, but this now seems much less likely.
Val Thorens was due to open this weekend. Some skiing would have been possible had it done, though it would not have been one of their snowiest openings! – 22 November 2020 – Photo: valthorens.com
At this time of year, high pressure leads to plenty of sun at altitude but also the chance of some low cloud/fog plaguing the lowlands and some Alpine valleys, especially those closest to the foothills. Temperature inversions also mean that it is often warmer at altitude than in the valleys, where frost may remain all day long in shadier spots.
Given the low angle of the sun at this time of year, any snow on north-facing slopes will stick around much more easily than it did a few weeks ago. However, all but the highest south-facing slopes will turn green again over the next few days.
This weekend 11 resorts have been open for skiing in the Alps, all in Switzerland, these being Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Glacier 3000, Crans Montana, Engelberg, Davos-Klosters, Laax, Arosa, Andermatt and the Diavolezza glacier (near St Moritz). Of these, Zermatt and Saas-Fee remain the best bets in terms of both extent and variety of open terrain.
Snow conditions on the glaciers remain reasonable but there is generally less snow than average across the Alps for late November. This isn’t a problem for most resorts just yet though, given that they either can’t or don’t plan to open until well into December due to Covid-19.
Val Thorens is one major (mostly) non-glacial resort that had planned to open this weekend, but it wouldn’t have been a particularly memorable opening given the amount of man-made snow needed to supplement its very modest natural cover.
Obergurgl is another (entirely) non-glacial resort that should also have been up and running by now, and could have offered some reasonable skiing, with as much snow (height for height) as just about anywhere in the Alps. Snow cover here remains modest for late November though. Indeed much more snow is needed in all parts of the Alps before we can start looking at anything like a solid early season.
Updated: 4pm Saturday 21 November 2020 - The snow guns are firing…
The weather in the Alps has settled down again, meaning that anyone lucky enough to be skiing this weekend will see plenty of sunshine. It has also turned that bit colder, allowing ski resorts to fire up their snow cannons.
Artificial snow-making is underway in Kronplatz in the Dolomites – 21 November 2020 – Photo: kronplatz.it
Switzerland is still the only country offering any skiing in the Alps right now. This weekend 11 resorts are open here, these being Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Glacier 3000, Crans Montana, Engelberg, Davos-Klosters, Laax, Arosa, Andermatt and the Diavolezza glacier (near St Moritz). Of these, Zermatt and Saas-Fee remain the best bets in terms of both extent and variety of open terrain.
Snow conditions are generally pretty good right now thanks to the new snow that fell earlier the week. The slightly colder weather has also allowed snow-making in some areas. However, temperatures are not necessarily low enough to allow them to operate 24/7.
As for when the next natural snow might fall, there may be bits and pieces here and there later next week but no significant or widespread snow is likely any time soon.
Updated: 10am Friday 20 November 2020 – Another brief taste of winter in the Alps…
As forecast, many parts of the Alps have woken up to some fresh snow this morning, although quantities have been modest. Most of the snow has fallen in the northern half of the Alps, with 15cm for example at high altitude in Engelberg, but a sprinkling has also got through to some southern parts of the Alps, notably the south-east (i.e. the Dolomites).
A few centimetres of fresh snow in Lech this morning – 20 November 2020 – Photo: lech.com
Some flurries (600-900m) are lingering across the northern Austrian Alps this morning but will die out later in the day. Elsewhere in the Alps, any cloud should break up with most areas expected to see plenty of sunshine.
The weather will remain mostly dry with sunny spells and increasingly mild temperatures over the weekend and into the first half of next week. It is then expected to turn more unsettled later next week with the chance of some snow in places, at this stage most likely in the southern and western Alps. There is still lots of uncertainty over the detail in the medium-term forecasts though, so do stay tuned for further updates.
A dusting of new snow in Val Gardena this morning – 20 November 2020 – Photo: foto-webcam.eu
The recent snow has made some parts of the Alps look a bit more wintry today, but don’t be fooled - few ski areas have any base to speak of below glacier level. One exception to this is Ischgl, where a combination of some natural snow and industrial scale man-made snow would have allowed the upper part of its ski area to open next week had it not been for Covid-19 related restrictions.
On the whole though, much more snow is needed before most resorts can start to feel confident that any solid early foundations are being laid.
Right now, the only Alpine country offering skiing (to the public at least) is Switzerland, where half a dozen or so resorts are open or partially open. This number will increase over the weekend, but Zermatt and Saas-Fee remain the best options in terms of both variety and extent of terrain.
Updated: 10am Thursday 19 November 2020 - A little snow for the northern Alps later today and tonight…
A new but relatively weak cold front has reached the Alps, bringing a little snow in places later today and overnight, chiefly across the north.
Skies are clouding over in the Vorarlberg this morning with rain expected later, turning to snow this evening. This is the Warth-Schröcken ski area – 19 November 2020 – Photo: foto-webcam.eu
The rain/snow limit will start at or above 2000m before falling to between 500m and 900m by tomorrow morning. Snowfall totals from this new storm will be modest, generally with 2-10cm above 2000m across the northern Alps (e.g. Engelberg, Lech, Kaprun), and a little more in some favoured spots. The southern Alps will largely miss out, with some places remaining completely dry.
Flurries (600-900m) will linger across the eastern Alps for a time tomorrow before high pressure reasserts itself, keeping the weather in the Alps dry, mostly fine and increasingly mild again over the weekend and into the first part of next week. From the middle of next week, the weather is likely to turn more unsettled again with the chance of some rain or snow in places, but it is hard to pin down any real detail at this stage.
Last weekend, 11 Swiss ski resorts were offering some skiing, these being Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Glacier 3000, Crans Montana, Engelberg, Davos-Klosters, Laax, Arosa, Andermatt and the Diavolezza glacier (near St Moritz). Today just four resorts are open (Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engelberg, and Glacier 3000). Of these, Zermatt and Saas-Fee remain the best bet in terms of both extent and variety of open terrain.
No other Alpine countries are currently offering skiing to the public due to Covid-19 related restrictions.
Snow conditions on the glaciers remain pretty good but there is no base to speak of lower down, nor will the current storm be enough to drastically alter the overall situation. For most resorts this is not of any great concern yet, particularly as many have already postponed their openings until mid-December for Covid-related reasons.
Zermatt, however, had hoped to open non-glacial Gornergrat and Sunnega on 28 November, but has now had to postpone this until 5 December due to both a lack of natural snow and the fact that it has also been too warm to make a sufficient quantity of the artificial variety.
Updated: 10am Monday 18 November 2020 - Warm today, but much colder with a little snow for some tomorrow…
Today will be mostly fine and exceptionally mild in the Alps, with freezing levels close to 4000m. Tomorrow, a cold front will bring a big drop in temperature and a little snow for some, chiefly across the northern Alps.
View from Corvatsch (near St Moritz) today, looking towards the Corviglia ski area (back right) – 18 November 2020 - Photo: corvatsch.ch
The bad weather will reach the north-western foothills of the Alps during Thursday morning, spreading further south and east over the course of the day. That said, the bulk of any precipitation will fall across the northern half of the Alps, with some southern Alpine areas staying completely dry. The rain/snow limit will start at around 2000m before falling to between 1000m and 1600m later in the day, lowest in the north.
By Friday morning the weather will have improved across most parts of the Alps, but some flurries will linger in the north-east (i.e. Austria) for a time with a rain/snow limit between 600m and 900m.
Snowfall totals from this new storm will be modest, generally with 2-10cm above 2000m, and a little more in some favoured spots.
Last weekend, 11 Swiss ski resorts were offering some skiing, these being Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Glacier 3000, Crans Montana, Engelberg, Davos-Klosters, Laax, Arosa, Andermatt and the Diavolezza glacier (near St Moritz). Today just five resorts are open (Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engelberg, the Diavolezza Glacier and Glacier 3000). Of these, Zermatt and Saas-Fee remain the best bet in terms of both extent and variety of open terrain.
No other Alpine countries are currently offering skiing to the public due to Covid-19 related restrictions.
Snow conditions on the glaciers remain pretty good but there is no base to speak of lower down, nor will tomorrow’s storm be potent enough to drastically alter the overall situation. For most resorts this is not of any great concern yet, particularly as many have already postponed their openings until mid-December for Covid-related reasons.
Zermatt, however, had hoped to open non-glacial Gornergrat and Sunnega on 28 November, but has now had to postpone this until 5 December due to both a lack of natural snow and the fact that it has also been too warm to make a sufficient quantity of the artificial variety.
Updated: 5.30pm Tuesday 17 November 2020 - Mostly fine weather in the Alps until Thursday…
The weather in the Alps was generally dry today with very mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Since we last reported, some parts of the Alps have seen a few centimetres of fresh snow, with the heaviest falls in the north-western Alps on Sunday/Sunday night, the remnants of which can be seen in today’s picture of Méribel.
Remnants of Sunday’s storm still showing in Méribel, but much more is needed over the coming weeks – 17 November 2020 – Photo: merinet.com
After another mostly fine day tomorrow, a cold front will arrive from the north-west late on Thursday, bringing a significant (but temporary) drop in temperature and another spell of moderate rain/snow to the northern half of the Alps. For the most part, the precipitation will die away early on Friday but may linger in some north-eastern parts of the Alps.
The southern Alps will only see patchy precipitation with some areas remaining completely dry. The rain/snow limit will start at around 2200m on Thursday before lowering steadily to between 500m and 800m on Friday morning. Snowfall totals above 2000m in the northern half of the Swiss and Austrian Alps (e.g. Mürren, Engelberg, Lech, Kaprun) will be in the order of 15-30cm but more in the range of 2-15cm in the French Alps (e.g. Tignes, Chamonix).
Last weekend, 11 Swiss ski resorts were offering some skiing, these being Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Glacier 3000, Crans Montana, Engelberg, Davos-Klosters, Laax, Arosa, Andermatt and the Diavolezza glacier (near St Moritz). Today just four resorts are open (Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engelberg and Glacier 3000). Of these, Zermatt and Saas-Fee remain the best bet in terms of both extent and variety of open terrain.
No other Alpine countries are currently offering skiing to the public due to Covid-19 related restrictions.
Snow conditions on the glaciers remain pretty good but there is no base to speak of lower down, nor will the storm expected later this week be potent enough to drastically alter the overall situation. For most resorts this is not of any great concern yet, particularly as many have already postponed their openings until mid-December for Covid-related reasons.
Zermatt, however, had hoped to open non-glacial Gornergrat and Sunnega on 28 November, but has now had to postpone this until 5 December due to both a lack of natural snow and the fact that it has also been too warm to make a sufficient quantity of the artificial variety.
Updated: 10.45am Saturday 14 November 2020 - Another glorious day in the Alps…
It’s another largely fine and very mild day in the Alps, with less in the way of low cloud than we have seen in recent days.
Great weather for skiing on the upper slopes of Saas-Fee today – 14 November 2020 – Photo: saas-fee.ch
After a mostly fine start to the day tomorrow, a weak weather front will move in from the north-west later in the day bringing some patchy precipitation to the northern Alps by evening.
On Sunday night and Monday morning some mostly light rain or snow will affect many parts of the Alps, though some southern regions will stay completely dry. The rain/snow limit will start above 2000m on Sunday but fall to between 1200m and 1600m on Monday. Any accumulations of snow will be very modest with just a few centimetres here and there at altitude.
After a quieter spell of weather in the Alps mid-week it will turn very unsettled later next week with the chance of some more significant and widespread snow. It is still too early to confirm just how potent this potential new storm system might be though, so watch this space!
Still green in Zell-am-See right now, but you there is plenty of snow on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier in the background (left) – 14 November 2020 – Photo: foto-webcam.eu
November has been a dry and exceptionally mild month so far meaning that, despite October having been cool and snowy, very little snow now remains in the Alps below 2500m. Snow conditions on the glaciers are still OK (if a bit hard and scratchy in places) but below glacier level the majority of ski areas in the Alps are mostly or even completely snowless.
11 Swiss ski resorts are offering some skiing this weekend, these being Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Glacier 3000, Crans Montana, Engelberg, Davos-Klosters, Laax, Arosa, Andermatt and the Diavolezza glacier (near St Moritz). Of these Zermatt and Saas-Fee remain the best bet in terms of both extent and variety of open terrain.
No other Alpine countries are currently offering skiing to the public due to Covid-19 related restrictions.
Updated: 9.20am Friday 13 November 2020 - Mostly fine in the Alps before a weak weather front arrives late on Sunday…
The weather in the Alps remains settled, with low cloud/fog plaguing some of the valleys but plenty of sunshine at altitude. Not much change is expected until late on Sunday or Monday, when a weak cold front will bring some rain and a little high-altitude snow to parts of the Alps, mostly in the northern half of the region.
Not much sign of winter in the central Austrian Alps. This is Heiligenblut, with the Grossglockner (Austria’s highest mountain at 3798m) in the background to the left – 13 November 2020 – Photo: foto-webcam.eu
The rain/snow limit will start at around 2200-2600m on Sunday evening before dropping to 1200-1700m on Monday morning, but don’t expect any significant accumulations of snow. There will be no more than a few centimetres at altitude here and there, with many southern parts of the Alps remaining completely dry.
Later next week a more definitive change in the weather pattern is expected with the chance of more significant and widespread snow across the Alps. Stay tuned!
November has a dry and exceptionally mild month so far meaning that, despite October having been cool and snowy, very little snow now remains in the Alps below 2500m. Snow conditions on the glaciers are still OK (if a bit hard and scratchy in places) but below glacier level the majority of ski areas in the Alps are mostly or even completely snowless.
11 Swiss ski resorts are expected to be offering some skiing this weekend, these being Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Glacier 3000, Crans Montana, Engelberg, Davos-Klosters, Laax, Arosa, Andermatt and the Diavolezza glacier (near St Moritz). Of these Zermatt and Saas-Fee remain the best bet in terms of both extent and variety of open terrain.
No other Alpine countries are currently offering skiing to the public due to Covid-19 related restrictions.
Updated: 10.30am Thursday 12 November 2020 - Mostly fine weather in the Alps until a weak weather front arrives late on Sunday...
The weather in the Alps will remain settled until late on Sunday when a weak cold front is expected to arrive from the north-west. Most of the Alps can therefore expect plenty more fine, dry and very mild weather over the next three days, with a little nuisance value ‘Hochnebel’ (low cloud/fog) plaguing some of the valleys.
Hochnebel trapped under a temperature inversion in Drobatsch in Carinthia, Austria – 12 November 2020 – Photo: foto-webcam.eu
Late on Sunday and early on Monday, rain or showers will reach some parts of the Alps (chiefly the northern half) with a rain/snow limit descending from 2200m on Sunday evening to 1200-1400m on Monday. Any snowfall will be modest, with just a few centimetres here and there, and some areas in the south remaining completely dry.
Snow conditions on the glaciers are still generally OK, but below glacier level most of the snow that fell in October has now melted. With the odd exception (e.g. at high altitude in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl) there are therefore no meaningful non-glacial bases for now. Frustrating as this may be (particularly given just how much snow fell in October), this is not unusual – some of the best Alpine winters have not got going until well into December.
Last weekend you could ski in 11 Swiss resorts (albeit in a limited capacity in most cases) including Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Engelberg, Arosa, Davos-Klosters, St Moritz (Diavolezza glacier), Laax, Engelberg, Glacier 3000, Crans Montana and Andermatt.
During the week the options are more limited - today you can only ski in Zermatt (approx. 25km pistes), Saas-Fee (approx. 40km pistes), Glacier 3000 (approx. 5km pistes) and Engelberg (approx. 5km pistes).
For the record, the recent warm weather has also melted virtually all the snow in the Pyrenees, where only a few patches remain at high altitude. There is no significant snow in Scotland yet either – an area that we will be paying closer attention to this season, given the current limitations on foreign travel for UK-based skiers. It is important to remember though that the current lack of snow in both the Pyrenees and Scotland is not unusual for early November.
Updated: 9.30am Wednesday 11 November 2020 – No return to winter in the Alps any time soon…
The weather in the Alps remains settled though low cloud is more prevalent and higher than yesterday, meaning that it is dull in many of the valleys.
Classic ‘Hochnebel’ (high fog) near Lienz in the Austrian Alps – 11 November 2020 – Photo: lienzer-bergbahnen.at
The next few days will remain mostly fine, with plenty of sunshine at altitude but further areas of cloud or fog in places lower down. A weak weather front may bring a little rain (snow 2200m) on Sunday night/early Monday otherwise the weather in the Alps is set to remain settled next week.
There are signs of a pattern change towards cooler, more unsettled conditions in the Alps in the last week in November, but this a long way off and cannot be forecast with any confidence at this stage.
Snow conditions on the glaciers are still generally OK, but below glacier level most of the snow that fell in October has now melted. With the odd exception (e.g. at high altitude in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl) there are therefore no meaningful non-glacial bases for now. Frustrating as this may be (particularly given just how much snow fell in October), this is not unusual – some of the best Alpine winters have not got going until well into December.
Last weekend you could ski in 11 Swiss resorts (albeit in a limited capacity in most cases) including Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Engelberg, Arosa, Davos-Klosters, St Moritz (Diavolezza glacier), Laax, Engelberg, Glacier 3000, Crans Montana and Andermatt.
During the week the options are more limited - today you can only ski in Zermatt (approx. 25km pistes), Saas-Fee (approx. 40km pistes), Glacier 3000 (approx. 5km pistes), Engelberg (approx. 5km pistes) and on the Diavolezza glacier near St Moritz (approx 3km pistes).
For the record, the recent warm weather has also melted virtually all the snow in the Pyrenees, where only a few patches remain at high altitude. There is no significant snow in Scotland yet either – an area that we will be paying closer attention to this season, given the current limitations on foreign travel for UK-based skiers. It is important to remember though that the current lack of snow in both the Pyrenees and Scotland is not unusual for early November.
Updated: 1pm Tuesday 10 November 2020 – Remaining dry and mild in the Alps…
High pressure is currently dominating the weather in the Alps and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This will bring lots of dry weather in the coming days, with plenty of sunshine, especially at altitude.
Only patchy snow remains here at 2300m near Heiligenblut in the central Austrian Alps – 10 November 2020 – Photo: wallackhaus.at
Snow conditions on the glaciers are still good but below glacier level most of the snow that fell in October has now melted. With the odd exception (e.g. at high altitude in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl) there are therefore no meaningful non-glacial bases for now. Frustrating as this may be (particularly given just how much snow fell in October), this is not unusual – some of the best Alpine winters haven’t got going until well into December.
Over the weekend you could ski in 11 Swiss resorts (albeit in a limited capacity in most cases) including Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Engelberg, Arosa, Davos-Klosters, St Moritz (Diavolezza glacier), Laax, Engelberg, Glacier 3000, Crans Montana and Andermatt.
During the week the options are more limited - today you can only ski in Zermatt (approx. 25km pistes), Saas-Fee (approx. 40km pistes), Glacier 3000 (approx. 5km pistes) and Engelberg (approx. 5km pistes).
Updated: 10am Monday 9 November 2020 – Winter is on hold in the Alps…
The weather in the Alps is stuck in a bit of a rut, with no sign of any significant widespread snow for a couple of weeks at least.
Most of the recent snow has melted in Obertauern – 9 November 2020 – Photo: foto-webcam.eu
This decidedly “unwintry” weather pattern is due to the position of the jet stream (the high level winds that dictate the trajectory of Atlantic storms), currently to the north of the UK and confining cold polar air to more northerly latitudes than you might expect at this time of year, keeping most of Europe on the mild side.
The jet stream may temporarily ‘buckle’ in the next week or two, but any incursions of cold air will be relatively brief and non-consequential. In short, winter in the Alps remains on hold for now.
Snow conditions in the Alps remain decent enough on the glaciers but, due to measures taken by the authorities in France, Italy and Austria to tackle the spread of Covid-19, the only resorts left open to the public are in Switzerland.
Good skiing is still possible on the Swiss glaciers. This is Zermatt - 9 November 2020 - Photo: facebook.com/Zermatt.Matterhorn
Most of the snow that fell in October has now melted again below glacier level, though there are one two exceptions such as at high altitude above Obergurgl.
Yesterday you could ski in 11 Swiss resorts (albeit in a limited capacity in most cases) including Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Engelberg, Arosa, Davos-Klosters, St Moritz (Diavolezza glacier), Laax, Engelberg, Glacier 3000, Crans Montana and Andermatt.
During the week the options are more limited, meaning that today you can only ski in Zermatt (approx. 25km pistes), Saas-Fee (approx. 40km pistes), Glacier 3000 (approx. 5km pistes) and Engelberg (approx. 5km pistes).
Updated: 10am Sunday 8 November 2020 – Settled weather conditions in the Alps…
Although skies are cloudy in some parts of the western Alps this morning, for most areas it will be another fine day with plenty of sunshine and very mild temperatures. The weather in the Alps will remain settled this week with lots more sunshine (at least at altitude) and above average temperatures.
Another fine day in Zermatt – 8 November 2020 – Photo: zermatt.ch
This recent spell of warm weather has led to the melting of nearly all the lower-lying snow that fell last month. Below glacier level there is now little meaningful snow, but snow conditions on the glaciers remain OK for now. With the weather in the Alps set to remain dry and mild for the foreseeable future, no major snow events are forecast for at least a couple of weeks.
As Italian resorts have now closed their slopes due to measures taken to combat the spread of Covid-19, skiing in the Alps (for the public at least) is now only possible in Switzerland. For how long though, is anyone’s guess.
Today you can ski in 11 Swiss resorts (albeit in a limited capacity in most cases) including Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, Engelberg, Arosa, Davos-Klosters, St Moritz (Diavolezza glacier), Laax, Engelberg, Glacier 3000, Crans Montana and Andermatt. Many of these are only open at weekends, but of the resorts that are open on a daily basis, Zermatt and Saas-Fee continue to offer the most variety and extent of terrain.
Updated: 2pm Saturday 7 November 2020 – Another mostly fine day across the Alps…
It has been another sunny day across much of the Alps, although there was more in the way of cloud in the far west, notably in France. The far western Alps will continue to see clouds on Sunday, together with the odd shower (snow 2500m), but most regions will be fine and the sun should dominate the weather in the Alps for much of next week.
Last day of public skiiing in Italy for a while. This is Val Senales – 7 November 2020 – Photo: schalstal.com
Following days of very mild weather in the Alps, most of the unusually heavy snow that we saw fall in October has now melted.
Snow conditions on the glaciers are still ok but very few if any non-glacial resorts are now likely to hold on to any meaningful base until winter “proper”, at least not without artificial help. Indeed, there is unlikely to be any real return to winter for at least a fortnight, while high pressure is set to dominate the weather in the Alps.
Any early snow has completely disappeared from many resorts across the Alps. This is Lech-am-Arlberg – 7 November 2020 – Photo: lech.com
Skiing (for the public, at least) will no longer be possible in Italy from tomorrow, due to measures taken to combat the spread of Covid-19. This means that Val Senales and Sulden am Ortler are now closed to recreational skiers, though some race training will still be permitted.
With France and Austria also out of action, this leaves Switzerland as the only country still offering recreational skiing in the Alps, but for how long now is anyone’s guess.
If you are lucky enough to be in or near Switzerland and able to hit the slopes over the next few days, then Zermatt and Saas-Fee remain the best bets in terms of both the extent and variety of their open terrain.
Updated: 9.50am Friday 6 November 2020 – Glorious again at altitude…
There is little change in the weather in the Alps today, with lots of sunshine at altitude but still some areas of cloud trapped in some of the low Alpine valleys. The weather looks set to remain settled for quite some time now, possibly for two weeks or more, with no significant new snow forecast for the foreseeable future.
Sunny at altitude this morning in St Anton but still some low cloud trapped in the valley under a temperature inversion – 6 November 2020 – Photo: stantonamarlberg.at
Snow conditions on the glaciers remain reasonable for the time of year, though it is sadly no longer possible to ski in Austria due to measures taken to combat the spread of Covid-19.
With France also out of the picture (also due to government restrictions), and options in Italy now limited to two ski areas (Val Senales and Sulden am Ortler), the lion’s share of skiing in the Alps is now in Switzerland.
As things stand, around 10 Swiss ski resorts are currently open (although some are only operating at weekends). These include Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engelberg, Glacier 3000, Diavolezza (Wednesdays and weekends only), Verbier (weekends only), Laax (weekends only), Arosa (weekends only), Andermatt (Fridays and weekends only) and Davos-Klosters (weekends only). The best options in terms of extent and variety of open terrain continue to be Zermatt and Saas-Fee.
Updated: 10.40am Thursday 5 November 2020 – Sunny at altitude but often cloudy lower down…
High pressure is dominating the weather in the Alps, meaning that there is plenty of sunshine on offer, at altitude at least. Lower down there is lots of cloud (known as “Hochnebel” in German) - common during calm weather at this time of year in the Alpine valleys and lowlands when the nights are longer (and colder) and the sun does not have enough strength to burn off this cloud during the day.
The sun is shining at altitude across most of the Alps today. This is Bettmeralp in the Swiss Valais – 5 November 2020 – Photo: bettmeralp.ch
Over the next few days there will be very little change to the weather in the Alps, with plenty of sunshine at altitude (where it will feel mild) but some areas of stubborn fog/low cloud in the valleys/lowlands that will have trouble burning off.
Snow conditions on the glaciers remain good for the time of year, though it is sadly no longer possible to ski on the Austrian glaciers due to measures taken to combat the spread of Covid-19.
With France also out of the picture (also due to government restrictions), and options in Italy now limited to two ski areas (Val Senales and Sulden am Ortler), the lion’s share of skiing in the Alps is now in Switzerland.
As things stand, around 10 Swiss ski resorts are currently open (although some are only operating at weekends). These include Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engelberg, Glacier 3000, Diavolezza (Wednesdays and weekends only), Verbier (weekends only), Laax (weekends only), Arosa (weekends only), Andermatt (weekends only) and Davos-Klosters (weekends only). The best options in terms of extent and variety of open terrain continue to be Zermatt and Saas-Fee.
Updated: 10am Wednesday 4 November 2020 – Showers in the east, brighter in the west…
It is a mostly cloudy day in the central and eastern Alps, with some showers here and there with a rain/snow level varying between 1300m in the far north and 2000m or more in the south. The western Alps will be drier and brighter.
Despite good snow conditions on its glaciers (including here in Stubai), skiing has now been suspended in Austria – 4 November 2020 – Photo: facebook.com/Stubai.gletscher
The latest weather front (which first reached the Alps yesterday) has been a weak one delivering just a few centimetres of snow at altitude here and there, with around 10cm on the Titlis glacier above Engelberg, for example.
High pressure will reassert itself across the Alps on Thursday and Friday, bringing fine and increasingly mild weather for most areas.
Snow conditions on the glaciers remain good for the time of year, though it is sadly no longer possible to ski on the Austrian glaciers due to measures taken to combat the spread of Covid-19.
With France also out of the picture (also due to government restrictions), and options in Italy now limited to two ski areas (mostly used for professional training), the lion’s share of skiing in the Alps is now in Switzerland.
As things stand, around 10 Swiss ski resorts are currently open (although some are only operating at weekends). These include Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engelberg, Glacier 3000, Diavolezza (Wednesdays and weekends only), Verbier (weekends only), Laax (weekends only), Arosa (weekends only), Andermatt (weekends only) and Davos-Klosters (weekends only). The best options in terms of extent and variety of open terrain continue to be Zermatt and Saas-Fee.
Updated: 10.30am Tuesday 3 November 2020 – A little rain or snow for some parts of the Alps today…
A new weather front will reach the Alps today, bringing a little high-altitude snow in places, chiefly across the central and northern Alps. The rain/snow limit will start at around 2600-2800m before descending to 1400m close to the northern foothills of the Alps this evening, remaining higher the further south-east you are.
Still plenty of snow high up in Saas-Fee but lower down there has been a steady thaw – 3 November 2020 – Photo: saas-fee.ch
Snow totals from this latest weather front will be modest, with perhaps 10-15cm at 3000m across some central and northern parts of the Alps (e.g. Andermatt, Engelberg). Some showers or flurries will linger in places tomorrow before the weather becomes mostly fine and very warm again for the second half of the week.
Snow conditions on the glaciers remain good for the time of year but the recent warm weather has led to a rapid thaw of much of the lower-lying snow, and temperatures in the Alps are expected to remain largely above average for some time to come.
At least 21 Alpine resorts were offering skiing last weekend, but this number has dropped significantly this week, not only as some areas are only operating at weekends, but more importantly because Austria’s ski areas are closing from midnight tonight due to measures taken to stop the spread of Covid-19.
With France already out of the picture (also due to government restrictions), and options in Italy now limited to two ski areas, the lion’s share of skiing in the Alps will soon be in Switzerland – but for how long is anyone’s guess.
As things stand, around 10 Swiss ski resorts are currently open (although some are only operating at weekends). These includeg Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engelberg, Glacier 3000, Diavolezza (Wednesdays and weekends only), Verbier (weekends only), Laax (weekends only), Arosa (weekends only), Andermatt (weekends only) and Davos-Klosters (weekends only). The best options in terms of extent and variety of open terrain will be Zermatt and Saas-Fee.
Update: 2.30pm Monday 2 November 2020 – Remaining mild in the Alps this week…
The weather will be mainly dry in the Alps today before tomorrow brings some rain and a little high-level snow to parts of the northern Alps on Tuesday and Wednesday (e.g. Engelberg). The rain/snow limit will start at 2500m before falling to 1800m later. The weather is then set to turn drier and very mild again for the second half of the week.
Wonderful early season snow conditions on the Stubai glacier, which will unfortunately be forced to close by the end of Tuesday due to measures taken to stop the spread of Covid-19 – 2 November 2020 – Photo: facebook.com/Stubai.Gletscher
At least 21 Alpine resorts were offering skiing over the weekend, but this number is set to drop significantly this week, not only as some of those areas are only operating at weekends, but more importantly because Austria’s ski areas are closing from midnight tomorrow due to measures taken to stop the spread of Covid-19.
With France already out of the picture (also due to government restrictions), and options in Italy now limited to two ski areas, the lion’s share of skiing in the Alps will soon be in Switzerland – but for how long is anyone’s guess.
As things stand, around 10 Swiss ski resorts are currently open (although some are only operating at weekends). These includeg Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engelberg, Glacier 3000, Diavolezza (Wednesdays and weekends only), Verbier (weekends only), Laax (weekends only), Arosa (weekends only), Andermatt (weekends only) and Davos-Klosters (weekends only). The best options in terms of extent and variety of open terrain will be Zermatt and Saas-Fee.
So, if you are lucky enough to be out in the Alps this week, and able to ski, our advice would be to aim to do so in Switzerland from Thursday onwards.
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