The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
Skiers are finding ‘springlike’ conditions in the Alps, while the United States continues to recover from a shaky start
FRANCE
“Springlike” was the word used by one French resort to describe conditions over the last few days with temperatures in valleys reaching 9C, the freezing point up at 3,000 metres (9,840ft). But don’t be too downhearted: several ski areas (such as Alpe d’Huez, La Plagne and Serre Chevalier) have had two feet of snowfall this week, and while rain has been reported in the valleys, at lower-lying resorts – such as La Clusaz and Les Gets – snow depths are excellent by January standards, and most slopes remain open. Be aware, however, that off-piste avalanche danger levels remain “considerable”.
The forecast
It is expected to be sunny for much of the week ahead – as warm as 10C in the afternoons at 1,000m, down to -10C overnight at 3,000m, so springlike, freeze-thaw conditions.
AUSTRIA
It has been a mixed week of weather across Austria. While the weekend brought perfectly blue skies and crisp, low temperatures to Kitzbühel in time for the biggest event in the sporting calendar – the Hahnenkamm races – other days saw hill fog, gusting winds and fresh snow above 2,000m, but periods of rainfall below that. This has caused upper snow depths to rise, and valley depths to decrease slightly – though, in general, the vast majority of Austrian slopes are open and in good shape, with St Anton still boasting the country’s deepest snow and most runs open.
The forecast
Next week is generally looking lovely and sunny, the only downside being valley temperatures touching 10C. This, as we all know, is not good news for low-lying slopes.
ITALY
It has been a mixed week for Italian ski areas, too, with some snowfall allowing them to open more terrain, but with rain on lower mountains in the west. Nevertheless, most Italian ski areas continue to operate almost all their lifts and runs, with Val Gardena in the Dolomites completely operational and Cervinia reporting 280km of slopes open – the most in the country.
The forecast
Plenty of sunshine, with daytime valley highs reaching 10C though dropping back below freezing overnight. Little or no snowfall (or rainfall) is forecast.
SWITZERLAND
Like the rest of the Alps, Swiss centres have seen a mix of heavy snowfall on high slopes and rain on lower runs, meaning the best conditions are up high, though valley runs remain open. This is reflected in the fact that the Portes du Soleil – which straddles the French border and is home to some low-lying resorts – still has nearly 500km of slopes open, while Verbier and the 4 Valleys have nearly 400km.
The forecast
A sunny weekend is expected, with a big temperature range from overnight mountain lows of -11C to daytime valley highs of 10C. Unsettled next week, but remaining warm.
CANADA
It has been a pretty good week across Canada, with temperatures below freezing but not cold enough to worry brass monkeys. There has been more light snowfall, with Whistler Blackcomb reporting a foot in the last seven days and Fernie the first Canadian centre to post a 2m base this winter.
The forecast
Cloudy skies continue, but conditions will stay mostly dry with the occasional light snowfall. Lower slopes will see afternoon temperatures above freezing.
UNITED STATES
Less snow has fallen this week than last, but still many resorts have added another foot to their snow depths and the US season feels back on track after its poor start. The country’s biggest ski area at Park City is fully open and a growing number of resorts including Alta, Mammoth and Jackson Hole report snow six feet deep at the top.
The forecast
Light snow showers, followed by mostly dry weather into the weekend and next week. Daytime highs around freezing, down to 20C below overnight.