| Posts: 6037 |
|
Forum Mod |
|
Kirkcudbrightshire |
|
|
 #335 Re: Twice weekly reports from SCGB. Posted 15/11/2010 @ 16:34 |
|
|
Monday 15th Nov 2010.
Summary
Ski resorts continue to receive snowfall, preparing them for the winter season. Although it is still relatively early in the season, things are looking good for the months to come. November has seen significant snowfall and low temperatures in Europe and North America and more and more resorts are starting to open.
This week has seen even more snowfall across the European ski resorts. You can enjoy skiing in Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Finland at the moment. More snow is forecast across these resorts for the coming week.
More snow has been falling in USA. Colorado in particular is experiencing great conditions with light yet persistent snowfall in nearly all resorts. With more resorts opening in the next two weeks, this snow couldn’t come at a better time. Cold weather and further snowfall should ensure that the slopes remain in good condition.
In Canada Mt Norquay at Banff opened over the weekend but is currently closed during the week. More resorts plan to open as we head towards next weekend and with fresh snowfall forecast this week it should be a great start to their season.
Austria
Skiing in Austria continues to offer great skiing in the lead up to the winter season. Solden (0/103cm) received a light dusting of fresh snow on Sunday 14th November. Despite the poor visibility on Monday 15th November, the soft layer of new snow provided excellent riding. Elsewhere, last weeks snowfall was enjoyed in good weather on Monday 15th November. Pitzal (0/143cm) Neustift (10/90cm) and Hintertux (10/155cm) all continue to offer excellent pistes and skiing conditions.
Whilst Kaunertal has also benefited from recent snowfall, the resort was temporarily closed on Monday 15th November due to high winds and the subsequent closure of lifts. Kitzbuhel (0/30cm) is still only open at weekends, but is suffering from a distinct lack of snow.
The outlook for the coming week in Austria is for highly changeable weather. A mixture of sun, cloud and snow is forecast. On Thursday 18th November onwards, the majority of resorts will be dominated by snowfall. There will however be a brief spell of sun on Saturday 20th November before the snow returns.
France
Tignes (0/40cm) remains the only French resort open for skiing. The snow cover in Tignes Le Lac has now disappeared due to warmer temperatures over the weekend. The resort was operating 4 lifts on Monday 15th November with the resort run still open for top to bottom skiing.
More snow is forecast across the French resorts. Monday 15th November should see the heaviest snowfall and Tignes is predicted to receive over 20cm on this day. The following week looks to be dominated by snow. On Wednesday 17th November however, clear and bright weather is predicted. Following this a mixture of snow and cloudy days are expected. Significant snowfall is expected in the early part of next week.
Switzerland
Both Saas Fee (5/143cm) and Zermatt (5/145cm) have been experiencing fantastic conditions. Saas Fee received 25cm of fresh snowfall on Saturday 13th November and Zermatt received 10cm on Friday 12th November. This fresh snow continues to keep the pistes in excellent conditions and despite reduced visibility on Monday 15th November, the skiing on offer was fantastic.
Verbier will open again on Friday 19th November for weekend skiing. Zinal (0/50cm) opened on Saturday 13th and will also only offer weekend skiing for the time being.
The weather forecast for the coming week is predominantly for snow. A brief spell of sun on Wednesday 17th November will be followed by more snowfall and low temperatures. As much as 90cm could fall in some resorts over the coming week.
Italy
Cervinia (5/145cm) received another 10cm of fresh snow on Friday 12th November, adding another fresh layer to the pistes. The skiing at Cervinia continues to be some of the best on offer at the moment. On Monday 15th November, more snow was falling, so the conditions are only expected to get better. Val Senales (5/180cm) and the Presena Glacier at Passo Tonale (0/300cm) continue to offer great skiing. These resorts were also experiencing snow on Monday 15th November.
More snow is forecast in Italy for the coming week. Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th are predicted to see a mixture of snow and cloud. After sun on Wednesday 17th November, the rest of the week and the weekend are both expected to be dominated by heavy snowfalls. Up to 80cm of snow could fall by Tuesday 23rd November.
Scotland 
Cairngorm (0/30cm) was the first of the Scottish resorts to open for the winter season. The opening day was Saturday 13th November. Fresh snow fell over the weekend too, further enhancing the already great early season conditions. The resort was operating just the funicular for uplift on Monday 15th November although there were six runs open. The weather this week will be a mixture of sun and cloud with a chance of some light snowfall. The temperature is forecast to remain low which is great news for anyone heading to Cairngorm for snowsports. Unfortunately strong winds are expected on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th November.
The four other Scottish ski areas are not yet open.
Andorra
All of the Andorran resorts we report on are yet to open for the season.
Norway/Sweden
Oppdal (10/40cm) has opened for the season but it is closed during the week at the moment. The snow base is still quite thin but with the weekday closure the snow remains in good condition for the weekend.
Both of our reported Swedish resorts are now open. Åre (5/20cm) first opened on Saturday 13th November and currently offer very limited skiing on only one run. A dusting of fresh snow on the night of Sunday 14th November helped further improve things but they could do with opening some more terrain.
Germany
A dusting of snow fell over the weekend at Garmisch (0/75cm), helping improve their skiing. The winter ski area isn’t yet open so all the skiing is limited to the Zugspitze Glacier. The snow is in fairly good condition but could benefit from a bigger dump of fresh snow.
Bulgaria
All of the Bulgarian resorts we report on are yet to open for the season.
USA
The winter season in USA is very nearly underway. More and more resorts are starting to open. Resorts in Colorado have received good fresh snowfall. Keystone (56cm) received 13cm on Sunday 14th November and Loveland (64cm), Arapahoe Basin (48cm) and Copper Mountain (61cm) all received a light dusting on the same day. Breckenridge (71cm) opened at the weekend and was able to operate 6 lifts. Copper Mountain was also able to open more terrain this weekend, including some expert runs and the Jib snow park.
Snowbird (86cm) in Utah received 25cm on Monday 15th November. The resort is currently operating two lifts, but will be opening the Gadzoom lift on Friday 19th November. Solitude (71cm) also opened this past weekend and was operating 3 lifts. Sunday River (41cm) in Maine is now closed until Saturday 20th November for snow making. Timberline (58cm) in Oregon was closed on Sunday 14th November but plans to reopen on Monday 15th November.
Vail plans to open on Friday 19th November. The resort received 18cm on Sunday 14th November, and with more snow forecast it should more than ready for opening day. Heavenly also opens on the 19th November.
Colorado and Utah are expecting to receive more snow in the coming days. Wednesday 17th to Friday 19th is predicted to be brighter, with sun and cloud forecast. By the weekend however, the snow should return to deliver a fresh dusting on the pistes. Low temperatures will help to keep the snow in fantastic condition. Timberline in Oregon is expected to see the most snow, with nearly 60cm predicted for the coming week. The east coast could finally see some fresh snowfall. However, with temperatures hovering around freezing, this predicted snowfall may be unreliable.
Canada
The Lake Louise ski area at Banff (0/32cm) is open on weekdays as well as weekends. Mt Norquay, the closest resort of to the town of Banff, opened for the first turns of their winter season on Saturday 13th November. Mt Norquay is currently only open for snowsports at weekends. They will open fully for their winter season on December 3rd. Sunshine Village, the final resort of The Big Three to open, is scheduled to open on 18th November.
Jasper (40cm) in Alberta opened for their winter season on Saturday 13th November. They were skiing on seven groomed runs over the weekend with access provided on four lifts. A similar amount of terrain should be available all week, dependent on the weather. Jasper, like all of the Canadian resorts, is forecast cloudy skies this week which should bring a good amount of fresh snow.
Whistler (0/50cm) will open Whistler Mountain six days early on Friday 19th while Blackcomb Mountain will open a week later on Thursday 25th November. Sun Peaks (0/28cm) should open for their season next Saturday, 20th November. In the east Mont Sainte-Anne was originally scheduled to open for weekend skiing on Saturday 13th November. They have now postponed the opening until November 20th.
European Weather Outlook
The snowfall on Monday 15th November across the resorts in Austria, Switzerland and Italy should continue until Wednesday 17th November when sun is forecast. Following this, heavy snowfall is predicted across the European region with some resorts expecting upwards of 80cm. Next weekend could see some sunny spells with intermittent snow and cloud.
North American Weather Outlook
More snow is forecast across the western resorts in Colorado, Utah and Oregon for the beginning of this week. After brighter weather in the second half of the week, next weekend should see the snow return once more. Temperatures are expected to remain low, sometimes reaching -15?. The East coast expects to see mixed weather, but no significant snowfall until next weekend at the earliest. However, unfavourable temperatures for snowfall may decrease this chance of snow.
Cloudy skies and low temperatures are expected this week and next weekend across Canada. The temperature is forecast to drop as low as -30°C in Alberta this coming weekend. The good news is that snow is forecast at all of our featured Canadian resorts. The greatest amount is expected to fall in British Columbia; up to 50cm could land by Tuesday 23rd November.
© 2010 Ski Club of Great Britain Ltd The White House, 57-63 Church Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 5SB
www.skiclub.co.uk skiers@skiclub.co.uk phone: +44 (0)20 8410 2000 fax: +44 (0)20 8410 2001.
Thanks to the SCGB for todays report.....things are starting to look good for what promises to be an excellent season.  |
|
|
| Posts: 6037 |
|
Forum Mod |
|
Kirkcudbrightshire |
|
|
| #336 Re: Twice weekly reports from SCGB. Posted 30/11/2010 @ 14:37 |
|
|
Monday 29 November 2010
Summary
There has been widespread snowfall in Europe and North America once again this week. The conditions around the world keep improving as the start of the 10/11 winter season gets under way as more resorts open. Many resorts continue to report on their best season openings in many years as snowfall inundates resorts.
Resorts across Europe have benefited from further snowfall. Italy has seen some of the most snowfall this past weekend with some resorts receiving 30cm in 24 hours. More snow is forecast across Europe so it seems as if there will be no let up in the wonderful conditions that are currently on offer.
Conditions are ever improving in America and Canada following more fresh snow and cold weather. Fernie opened for the season on Saturday 27th November and skiers and boarders were treated to a 27cm powder day. Jackson Hole in America also opened on Saturday and enjoyed one of the best opening weekends in its history and almost the entire mountain was open.
Austria
Further snowfall has improved the conditions in Austria once again. The skiing on offer really is fantastic for this early in the season. Lech (35/75cm) received 10cm of fresh snowfall on Monday 29th November on top of the 20cm that fell on Friday 26th November. The Alberg region, which includes Lech and St Anton (20/120cm), is currently operating 25 lifts.
Pitztal (0/184cm) experienced 16cm of snowfall on Sunday 28th November and the skiing there is excellent.
Axamer Lizum (60/95cm) is now open turning five lifts. This week sees the opening of more resorts including St Johann, St Wolfgang and Westendorf.
Tuesday 30th November will be predominantly sunny throughout Austria. On Wednesday 1st December the snowy conditions are expected to return and remain until the weekend. By Saturday 4th December the temperatures will drop to around -15? and it will be sunny but brisk. The early part of next week is forecast to be a mixture of sun, cloud and snow showers.
France
On Monday 29th November, resorts in France were taking advantage of the weekend’s snowfall under bright sunny skies. Les Deux Alpes (15/125cm) has now reopened and excellent conditions are available. Val d’Isere (15/45cm) also opened this weekend with 19 lifts turning and an extensive amount of terrain on offer.
Bareges /La Mongie (40/80cm) is now open and operating 19 lifts. Cauterets (20/110cm) in the Pyrenees is now open for weekend skiing and received 50cm of snowfall on Friday 26th November. Isola 2000 (10/60cm) in the Southern Alps is also now open for weekend skiing.
This week will see the opening of many more resorts in France. In the Three Valleys both Courchevel (39/81cm) and Meribel (20/50cm) open on Saturday 4th December. In Courchevel skiing will be available off the Saulire cable car. In Meribel the Pas Du Lac and the Plattieres areas will be open for skiing. Avoriaz (60/100cm) in the Portes du Soleil Area also opens on Saturday 4th December.
The forecast for the coming week is for a mixture of sun, cloud and snowy weather. Tuesday 30th November will be predominantly sunny throughout France. Wednesday 1st December should further snowfall which will remain until Friday 3rd December. Saturday 4th December will be sunny but towards the end of the weekend more snowfall is expected. Temperatures will increase slightly towards the middle of next week before dropping again towards the weekend.
Switzerland
Temperatures in most of our featured Swiss resorts are between -10°C and -17°C which is very low for the time of year.
The Titlis Glacier at Engelberg (40/178cm) is open for snowsports. It’s very cold up there though but the snow is in excellent condition. 5cm of fresh snow fell on Friday 26th November and six lifts were running on Monday 29th November.
Davos (20/86cm) is open too. Monday was a snowy day with around 5cm of snow falling down in the town. As much of the underlying terrain is grassy it doesn’t take a big depth of snow to make it skiable. You can’t yet ski down into the town but nine of the resorts upper lifts are running.
Italy
There are some superb conditions in Italy at the moment, following a very snowy week last week in many places. Passo Tonale (100/150cm) has ten lifts open. Fresh snow and cold weather mean the skiing is brilliant for the time of year but stick to the pistes, as rocks are only just under the surface off piste.
Bormio (15/180cm) is now open and is currently operating five lifts. The resort received a significant snowfall of 30cm on Sunday 28th November adding a lovely soft layer to the pistes.
This weekend will see more resorts open. Alagna (0/150cm) in the Monterosa region opens this weekend as do Cavalese (10/90cm) and Arabba (55/95cm) in the Dolomites.
More snow is forecast in Italy from Wednesday 1st December onwards. Despite a brief break in the snow on Saturday 4th December the snowy weather will continue until the early part of next week.
Scotland
The conditions at the five Scottish resorts have greatly improved due to the recent wintry weather, although the western resorts of Glencoe and Nevis Range are yet to open. The heavy snowfall towards the end of the weekend unfortunately prevented the three eastern resorts from opening on Monday morning.
Visitors to Cairngorm (40/90cm) this weekend enjoyed excellent fresh snow conditions. There was around 75cm of wind drifted powder snow on the main area and the runs back to the bottom have been filled in by the recent snowfall so top to bottom runs are possible. The resort was working to clear snow about the base station, to provide access for skiers and boarders.
Glenshee (25/60cm) and The Lecht (25/60cm) have benefitted from lots of fresh snow and provided excellent riding over the weekend. Both resorts were closed on Monday while the access roads were being cleared.
This week will see a mixture of sun, cloud and snow showers at all five ski areas. Around 25cm of new snow is forecast this week and next weekend in the east, while around 10cm should fall on the west of Scotland.
Andorra
All of our featured Andorran ski resorts are now open for snowsports. This was the first weekend of snowsports for most of the resorts and they all received fresh snow on Friday 26th November, providing excellent conditions for their opening weekend.
In the Vallnord area, Arcalis (20/50cm) reports the deepest snow base while Pas de la Casa (20/50cm) in the Grandvalira ski area reports the deepest base in that area.
This week predominantly sunny weather is forecast although clouds are expected on Tuesday 30th November which could deliver a light dusting of snow.
Norway/Sweden
It’s very cold in Norway at the moment. On Monday 29th November in Hemsedal (14/45cm) it was -20°C at mid-mountain level. Although there isn’t a lot of fresh snow the cold weather means they can run the snow cannons all day and night, so the runs are in fairly good condition.
Voss (10/50cm) plans to open for the season on Saturday 4th December. They have plenty of snow so it should be a good opening weekend.
Fresh snow fell in Sweden as well. Åre (15/33cm) received a dusting of snow on Monday 29th November, refreshing the pistes. It is very cold though; -21°C was the temperature at Åre on Monday and three lifts were running.
Germany
Lots of snow fell across many of our German resorts over the weekend. Although Reit im Winkl isn’t open for the season yet, they received over 40cm of fresh snow and there is a thick blanketing of it right down in the town.
The most terrain available is at Garmisch (0/115cm). Only the glacial ski area is open but fresh snow up there over the weekend means the snow is in superb condition for the time of year. Five lifts were running on Monday 29th November.
Bulgaria
All of the Bulgarian resorts we report on are yet to open for the season.
USA
13cm of fresh snow fell at Alyeska (56/185cm) in Alaska on Sunday 28th November. The resort has virtually all of its terrain open, which is great for the time of year. During the 09/10 season the resort received more than 22 metres of snow, making it one of the snowiest resorts in the world.
Jackson Hole (117/135cm) is now open for the season. Saturday 27th November was their opening day and to have such a large area open this is fantastic. Most of the lifts are expected to run all week and more snow is forecast too. This is one of the best starts to the season Jackson Hole has ever had.
A little bit of fresh snow fell over on the east coast too. Stowe (2/61cm) received about 10cm of fresh snow on Saturday 27th November. They are experiencing an unusually warm and dry start to the winter so this bit of fresh snow was a welcome sight. Four of their 13 lifts were running on Sunday but it will take more snow to be able to open more lifts.
Canada
24cm of fresh snow fell at Whistler (113cm) on Saturday 27th November. This allowed them to open up more lifts and as both mountains are now open, so is the Peak2Peak gondola. The recent cold weather in Canada means the snow is in great shape but skiing down to the village isn’t yet possible.
Fernie (86cm) opened for the season last weekend too. A 27cm dump of fresh snow on Saturday ensured it was a brilliant first weekend to the season. The temperature has been very low there for a while now so the snow is in great condition.
Tremblant (20/25cm) and Mont Sainte Anne (25cm) are both open for the winter too. Tremblant received 12cm of fresh snow on Saturday which did wonders to the condition of their runs. They plan to open up more lifts as more snow falls.
European Weather Outlook
More snow is forecast across Europe in the coming week. Widespread sun is expected on Tuesday 30th November. In the lead up to the weekend more snow is forecast and France, Austria and Switzerland should see significant amounts of fresh snow. Italy expects to see a wider variety of weather but with period of heavy snowfall. There is a chance of sun over the weekend but once again the outlook for the coming week is dominated by wintry snowy weather.
North American Weather Outlook
Resorts in Colorado are expecting snow on and off throughout this week. 24cm is the expected total at Aspen and the temperature should remain well below freezing too.
Colder weather is finally expected on the east coast as well. Sugarbush is expecting 5cm of fresh snow which isn’t much, but by Thursday 2nd December the temperature will be below freezing. As time goes by it will only get lower too.
Light snow is expected to fall most of the week in Canada. It should be heavier in Whistler though amounting to nearly half a metre. It could get quite cold at most places though, especially further inland. Night time temperatures of -25°C are to be expected.
© 2010 Ski Club of Great Britain Ltd The White House, 57-63 Church Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 5SB
http://www.skiclub.co.uk skiers@skiclub.co.uk phone: +44 (0)20 8410 2000 fax: +44 (0)20 8410 2001 .
Many thanks to the SCGB for this report. |
|
|