Latest Snow Report
The big storm is over, leaving huge quantities of fresh snow across much of the western Alps on the eve of half-term. The really eye-catching storm totals have been confined to a relatively narrow portion of the Alps, including France (especially the north, e.g. L’Espace Killy, Paradiski, Chamonix Valley, Avoriaz), the far north-west of Italy (e.g. Courmayeur, La Thuile) and the far west of Switzerland (e.g Glacier 3000).
These areas have all seen more than 1m of new snow above 2000m since Tuesday, with closer to 1.5m in some spots. Although skiing in these regions might look incredibly inviting today, given the better weather and all the fresh snow, be warned that the risk of avalanche remains sky-high, and it will take a while before the authorities can make the ski areas safe. This includes large swathes of on-piste terrain, let alone the off-piste, which should be avoided at all costs for the time being.
Generally, the further east you are in the Alps, the less snow has fallen this week, although most areas have seen at least some.
So, right now, snow depths are very healthy and generally above average in the French Alps, some western Italian regions and the far west of Switzerland. Just about everywhere else snow depths remain below average, however. This doesn’t mean there isn’t some perfectly good piste skiing on offer though – most holiday makers don’t need massive snow depths to have a good time on the slopes!
In any case, there is more snow on the way to the Alps, first in the south-western Alps tonight (e.g. Isola 2000, Prato Nevoso), then across the northern Alps on Saturday (e.g. Avoriaz, Engelberg, Lech), albeit in modest quantities.
More importantly, we are expecting another big storm on Sunday night/Monday with 50cm or more possible across a wider swathe of the Alps, including parts of Switzerland and Austria - where it is most needed.
Across the pond, the eastern US resorts continue to lead the way!
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