It has been a largely dry week in the world’s main ski regions with sunshine on deep snow the norm and those lucky enough to be on the slopes enjoying great conditions in most areas.
There has been snow in some parts though – the eastern Alps and eastern European ski areas received moderate snowfall earlier this week, and there’s been fresh snow again in New England as well as over in California, where it has been much needed.
In terms of off-piste freeriding the fresh snow in France, Switzerland, Italy and the Pyrenees is now largely skied out, and the avalanche danger remains ‘considerable’ in many areas.
Some areas are not getting their normal snow cover however, and areas including Grouse and Cypress mountains near Vancouver in BC, Canada are amongst several in the area closing due to unseasonably warm conditions.
Coming up, a return to snowier conditions is expected in many areas, including the Alps, with 50-100cm of new snow possible again over the coming week.
AUSTRIA
Austria got the most snow on the main alpine nations this week, although there hasn’t really been a flake since last weekend, when Fieberbrunn (pictured above) claimed the biggest accumulation of 60cm/2 feet. Most other areas got a quarter to a half of that. Most slopes in the country are in good shape thanks to previous snowfall and after these sunny days fresh snow is now expected.
FRANCE
It’s been a sublime week on the slopes of France for those happy to stay on the groomed piste. After the big snowfalls at the end of January and a windy weekend in places the past five days have been sunny (Perhaps a little too warm fort mid-February at times), with beautiful clear days meaning stunning ski conditions. Snow depths are good almost everywhere and fresh snow is expected in the next few days.
ITALY
Italy has good cover across the country, again with little fresh this week and now more expected next week. The snow is deeper on the west in the Italian Alps, the Dolomites are more in need of a good snowfall.
SWITZERLAND
Swiss resorts had a sunny week as well, and with snow depths good here too there were few complaints from those lucky enough to be on Swiss slopes this week. Bases are up to 4m deep here (at Andermatt and Engelberg), the deepest in the world at present. More snow is expected next week in Switzerland too.
PYRENEES
In common with most of the western Alps above, there’s been little or no snow in the Pyrenees over the last week. On piste conditions are excellent with deep snow from previous falls but off piste is largely tracked out. More fresh snow is expected in the coming week.
EASTERN EUROPE
Eastern Europe received fresh snow earlier this week and most areas there are in excellent shape too, with very healthy base depths. POictured abpove is Pamporo which reports 20cm of freshg snow, Borovets reports 55cm of new powder.
SCANDINAVIA
Another week of snow in Scandinavia, although perhaps not so much as in previous weeks this season. Snow depths in Finland and Sweden are around the 80cm-1m mark, which is very good for this area, a little deeper in Norway.
SCOTLAND
There’s been little or no fresh snow in Scotland but still weather and milder temp[eratures have led to excellent conditions on the pistes, with most still open at all five Highland areas – goodf news fopr the ongoing half term holidays.
CANADA
Western Canada is not quite in its February norm with the ‘pineapple express’ warm wind across the Pacific blamed for closing down (temporarily they hope) some smaller BC coastal areas due to lack of snow and warm weather, there’ also been rain at some areas inland normally famous for their powder. But overall snow depths remain good and on piste conditions are fine.
USA
Ski areas in California finally had something to smile about with up to 50cm of fresh snow reported last weekend – a lot more would be good but it was still a blessed relief after two months of drought and warm temperatures. Further north on the west coast conditions are not so good. Moving inland cover remains much better in Colorado and Utah although no more fresh snow after the foot or so last week. But it was a third snowy week in a row for New England where areas like Whiteface in New York State have reported nearly four feet (1.2m) of snow in the last few weeks.