The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
SNOW REPORT
Unsettled weather will clear in Europe with the arrival of more snow as temperatures remain cold, while US resorts have been battered by storms
FRANCE
After the big jumps in snow depths last week, things have settled down in the French Alps. There has been more snowfall in the past few days but the weekend was mainly dry and sunny, with temperatures mostly remaining close to freezing. Despite complaints of flat light, wet snow down low and hill fog, as well as avalanche danger levels climbing to three (considerable), conditions overall remain excellent with most slopes in the country open.
Chamonix continues to post the world’s deepest snow and Les 3 Vallées (Méribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens and Les Menuires) and Les Portes du Soleil (Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets and Châtel) have been the only ones on the planet offering more than 500km of slopes open this week.
The forecast
After a few more unsettled days, the weekend should see a return of sunshine with temperatures well below freezing. There is more snowfall arriving early next week.
AUSTRIA
There are some very low temperatures in Austria this week with Lech posting -17C on Sunday in the resort. That was the extreme but, typically, temperatures have stayed subzero. Although there hasn’t been much fresh snowfall this week, compared with last, most of the country’s runs are open, right down to low valley floors. The Arlberg region around St Anton and Lech continues to post the most – 250km of runs.
The forecast
After more snowfall to end the week (possibly rain and sleet at low elevations), cold but sunny weather is expected throughout the weekend with a front bringing fresh snowfall early next week.
ITALY
Strong winds have been a feature of the past few days in Italy and other parts of the Alps. Dolomiti Superski issued a strong winds warning for the famous Sellaronda circuit linking Val Gardena, Alta Badia and other areas, while the cross-border link between La Thuile and la Rosière has been closed. Away from these issues though conditions are generally excellent and most Italian slopes are open.
The forecast
A cold and sunny weekend with temperatures between -10C and freezing. Slightly warmer and ore unsettled next week with some light snow expected.
SWITZERLAND
Continuing good conditions on Swiss slopes, but strong winds on high slopes and a “considerable” avalanche danger, particularly in the west, are the main concerns. Most slopes are open, and snow depths are good. Verbier and the 4 Vallées have nearly 400km of skiable runs, and the Zermatt-Cervinia connection nearly 300km.
The forecast
A cold and sunny weekend, with highs around freezing and lows as far down as -15C. Next week will see warming temperatures and a return of snow showers from Monday.
CANADA
Very cold temperatures closed Western Canadian ski areas for safety reasons last weekend. It has since warmed to a still chilly -20C and light snowfall has allowed more terrain to open. Whistler Blackcomb has the most open terrain in North America with more runs opening there this week.
The forecast
Cold and cloudy with light snow showers. Not as cold as it has been though, with lows of -20C.
UNITED STATES
After a warm, dry end to 2023, Mother Nature has hit overdrive and delivered blizzards, very low temperatures (the most extreme -40C) and lots of snow to the US. Snow depths have jumped from below 50 per cent of the average to more than 90 per cent. Utah’s Park City, the country’s biggest ski area, finally has the most terrain available, two months after opening.
The forecast
A varied picture across the country. More heavy snowfall is forecast for the west coast over the next few days but a drier week in the Rockies. Continuing cold with snow showers in the east.