Europe prepares for another big dump

Here’s the latest snow report from The Ski Club of Great Britain. For more detailed information and weather forecasts, visit skiclub.co.uk.

EUROPEAN WEATHER OUTLOOK
We really didn’t think November could get any better for the Alps, but it seems that’s just what might happen, with forecasts predicting another huge dump going into the weekend. This time, the snowstorm will be focused on Northern Italy and Switzerland, with some places getting over a meter of new snow. Its good news for everywhere else too, as snow is predicted to fall in significant quantities all over the Alps.

It’s been a bit of a rough start to the season for most Scandinavian resorts, with most of the recent snowfall being concentrated to the west of Norway. Things are set to improve, however, as Liliehammer and other resorts south of this could be receiving around 20cm over the next 6 days

NORTH AMERICA WEATHER OUTLOOK
Things are looking up for North America. It has been snowing in Alberta at Banff, and plenty of snow is on the forecast for the weekend across the country, with British Columbia in particular expected to receive a decent amount.

In the USA some resorts have had to push their opening dates back, however, the country is expected to receive plenty of snow over the coming week, and with temperatures dropping, there is real hope that the season may really kick off soon.
After last week’s early season dump, things have calmed down a bit in the French Alps, with warming temperatures marking a return to more conventional mid-November weather conditions. Preparations are underway in a number of resorts for early opening: Val Thorens, Montgenevre and Chamonix among those planning to kick off the season this weekend.

EUROPE NOW
Thursday saw the opening of some Austrian resorts. Obergurl was the latest to kick its season off, and there is currently some good skiing to be found on the areas upper slopes. Elsewhere, great skiing for the time of year continues across the majority of the other open resorts, where the snow is holding up well towards the summits.

In Switzerland the next storm cycle appears to be moving in, and early sunny spells gave way to hazy overcast skies. Warm temperatures have had a light impact on ski conditions but it is still sensational for mid-November. Many Swiss resorts open this weekend.

In Italy it was much the same weather wise, most resorts can expect decent snowfalls in the coming days and into next week.

There were reports of fresh snow across Canada on Thursday. Nonetheless, Banff is still the only one of our featured resorts offering skiing: Sunshine Village has been open for some time, and Lake Louise is set to open today (Friday). In The USA, many resorts have been forced to push back there opening dates, but there is reason to be positive due to the snow that is currently being forecast.

AUSTRIA
Some of the best conditions can currently be found at the likes of Hintertux (25/105cm), where there are 50km of groomed slopes, and at Pitzal (82/118cm), where there was 6/12 lifts running. The nearby resort of Obergurl (10/40cm) opened on Thursday, and there is some good riding to be found on the slopes of the ski area. Kirchberg (40/60cm) and Kitzbuhel (40/60cm) continue to consolidate on the early season snow, and three groomed pistes are now available for early season skiing.

Temperatures are warmer than they have been of late, however, the thermometer is set to drop again from Friday, and on Saturday many resorts are forecast significant snow once again. Keep an eye out for Solden (10/130cm), where over 60cm is predicted to fall before the weekend is out.

FRANCE
Alpe d’Huez (20/90cm) is set to open again for weekend skiing on Saturday. This comes after its November 12th opening – the earliest in years – came a full 3 weeks before its anticipated opening day. It’s moody day weather wise today: a mixture of rain, cloud and sun.

Over in Chamonix (0/150cm), Argentiere is getting the ball rolling this weekend with the opening of the Grand Montets. After being on the receiving end of a massive dump last Friday November 11, things are looking good.

Some big news this week as Val Thorens (100/140cm) announced it will open 70% of lifts from Saturday. Conditions are looking very good, with 100cm of snow in resort and 140 on the upper slopes. Expect excellent skiing on well-groomed slopes from then. Courchevel is now closed after its pre-season opening on Friday 10 – set to open again on December 10.

Montgenevre (40/70cm) is another resort set to open early. On and off-piste conditions should be good on Saturday, the weather today is overcast.

It’s business as usual in Tignes (45/120cm), which has been open since early October. All slopes and lifts were open in the glacier area on Monday. Recent snowfalls have created some excellent conditions on the slopes. Off-piste, things are not quite as fresh as they were at the beginning of the week, but there is still some fantastic terrain to explore. It’s a cloudy day today.

SWITZERLAND
The major Swiss resorts, Zermatt (28/110cm) and Saas Fee (40/135cm) have dramatically increased the amount of piste skiing available with Saas Fee already able to open 40% of its runs. Elsewhere Engelberg (5/35cm) was open but has very limited skiable terrain currently available. Gstaad (15/135cm) was also open but dense dark cloud made for miserable conditions on the mountain.

Andermatt (20/85cm), Arosa (30/70cm), Champery (30/100cm), Crans Montana (60/130cm), Flims/laax (60cm), Grimentz (35/77cm), Grindelwald (60/60cm) Davos-Klosters (21cm), Les Diablerets (116cm), Pontresina (10/15cm) St Moritz (19/29cm) and finally Verbier (25/245cm) all open their doors to skiers and riders this Saturday, the Swiss season has well and truly begun.
The forecast for this weekend will be storm riding, most resorts across the Swiss Alps are forecast to receive around 15-20cm of snow, and its only November.

ITALY
With a handful of resorts open for varied and limited skiing under hazy come stormy skies. Cervina (50/190cm) has opened even more piste this week despite warm temperatures, while Val Senales is still offering around 5km of on piste skiing.

Most Italian resorts can expect snow in the coming days as a decent storm cycle sets in over the Western Alps. Steady accumulations of 10cm are expected each day for the next week in the Dolomites, which is great news as many resorts prepare to open early in December.

Excitingly, Cortina (5/20cm), Madesimo (10/30cm) and Madonna di Campiglio (20/50cm) have announced openings for this weekend.

ANDORRA
None of our featured Andorran resorts are open at present. The start of the season is scheduled for the final weekend of November in both the Vallnord and Grandvalira

USA
Killington (25/40cm) continues to offer some of the best skiing in North America. The resort has a decent covering of snow across the mountain, which is certainly positive in the build up to the World Cup event that will be hosted at the resort next week.

Elsewhere, warm temperatures have unfortunately pushed back the opening dates for resorts such as Sun Peaks, Park City and Alta. However, the forecast suggests that change is afoot, with Colorado in Particular expected receive plenty of fresh snow over the next few days.

CANADA
There were great conditions in Sunshine Village (80/100cm), where 10cm of fresh snow fell overnight (17/11/2016). With Lake Louise set to open today (Friday) things are looking good in Banff.