December has almost ended as it started – too warm and too dry in Europe. But unlike December 2014 year ago, most resorts do have good snow cover on higher runs so could at least open pistes for most of the month. Unlike 2014 though, there doesn’t look to be the huge snowfall due that crippled transportation on the post-Christmas/pre-New Year change over day in the French Alps.
There’s a dramatic difference across the Atlantic too. Last year there were giant snowstorms in the East of the continent, this year they too are too war and dry, but the West, warm and dry in 2014, continues to see huge December snow storms.
Austria
No new snow and temperatures rather too warm in Austria, for the fourth week in a row, so as ever the advice is to aim high as conditions on upper slopes is rather wonderful if you enjoy cruising well groomed runs. There’s still nothing for powder hounds alas. Hintertux is pictured earlier this week.
France
Similar conditions in the French Alps with sunny slopes still snowy higher up, but looking less good down at the lower, traditional resorts. So snow would be greatly appreciated, but it’s still ‘OK’ at most resorts.
Italy
Again, little change on a week ago in Italy, runs in the Dolomites made up almost entirely of machine made snow, more natural snow cover on the West, but nothing fresh for a month.
Switzerland
Switzerland too is looking better high up with terrain above 2000m in best shape, although so,me areas sustaining cover down to 1500m with a bit of creative grooming. Again, fresh snow would help a lot.
Scotland
Will it open, won’t it open? As we prepare to post this report Scottish areas are asking skiers to “keep the faith” as UK temperatures roller coaster through 20 degrees or more of difference. Fresh snow was reported earlier in the week on high slopes and Cairngorm said they were firing up their snowmaking so it’s possible they may be able to open something, soon…
Pyrenees
Similar conditions to the Alps with no fresh snow and above zero temperatures, but again healthy snowfall in late November means most areas have enough snow to see them through in to the New Year, despite a snowless December.
Scandinavia
Scandinavian ski areas aren’t having a stunning winter so far either, but most areas have been clocking up 5, 10 or 15cm of fresh snow so they do at least feel a bit more like it is winter there. Narvik in Norway is pictured above.
Eastern Europe
It’s the same again in eastern Europe – higher slopes good thanks to 4 week old snow and snow making, lower slopes a bit more problematic. Once again, a good fall of fresh snow would be welcomed. This is Jasna in the Czech Republic.
Canada
The snow keeps falling on Western North America so resorts in Alberta and BC keep getting dumped on, conditions are excellent. Whistler has several more feet of new snow and Revelstoke is rating this winter as its second snowiest ever so far, with nearly 5m accumulated in the first two months. Things are less good in the east where its far warmer and drier than normal in Ontario and Quebec.
USA
The remarkable snowfall in Western North America with some resorts receiving more than 50cm in 24 hours (Eg Squaw Valley above) or over a metre in a week. This is on top of huge accumulations already. The good news for some ski areas in the East is that there’s been fresh snow there too and cold enough weather for snowmaking so it’s looking much better from around Vermont northwards, still problematic further south…
