Will it be a white Christmas?

EUROPEAN WEATHER OUTLOOK
Yesterday marked the return of sunny weather to the Alps after a few days of cloud and snow. As a result, it was a great day for skiing in many resorts, but riders should be aware that avalanche risks could be considerable, especially in areas affected by strong winds. The outlook for the rest of the week is mostly sunny, with the exception of Austria, which could see some new snowfalls over the ensuing days.

The outlook for the Pyrenees is mostly sunny but with scattered snow showers. Snow had been falling in Andorra and this is set to continue into the weekend. Over in Scandinavia, the snow that had been concentrated on the west coast of Norway is beginning to make its way inland, benefiting central Norwegian resorts like Hemsedal and Geilo.

NORTH AMERICA WEATHER OUTLOOK
It will be a white Christmas in almost all of our featured American resorts. The snowfalls just refuse to stop with even more storms forecast to blanket the Western United States. The next 48 hours will see big snowfalls totalling around half a metre for Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley and resorts in the Eastern Sierra, particularly Mammoth Mountain. Utah resorts will also see excellent snowfalls in the coming days. The only thing that could impact snow quality is wind. Forecast show winds could gust as high as 160k/h, that’s 44m/s. damaging winds will mostly impact the Sierra resorts however. More broadly the outlook calls for light to moderate snowfalls across the US until Monday. Beyond Monday the weather is likely to turn sunny and dry until the New Year.

Looking north to Canada, the current storm cycle is set to remain in place for the next 72 hours bringing light to moderate snow falls. Christmas day brings perfect sunshine right across Canada, outstanding ski conditions for those lucky enough to be on the mountain. Beyond December 25 clouds will return with light snowfalls expected across Western Canada. In the east Mont Tremblant and Mont Sainte Anne will be treated to comfortable temperatures and 30cms of fresh snow.

COUNTRY BREAKDOWN

AUSTRIA
A glorious sunny day across our featured Austrian resorts on Thursday. As Christmas approaches the best skiing can be found on the upper slopes, where the runs are hard packed but well groomed, whilst lower runs are now beginning to suffer slightly.

Pitzal (91/132cm) currently boats some of the country’s best conditions, where solid base depths and temperatures hovering around freezing have preserved the snow well and allowed for all 12 lifts to run. Nearby, the piste conditions at Obergurgl (10/55cm) are also being reported as very good despite the lack of any recent snow, but lower runs are still reliant on a largely artificial base.

As we head towards the weekend plenty of sun should be the order of the day. Christmas Eve is then forecast to turn cloudier, and there is the chance of some snow for resorts such as Filzmoos (35/40cm) and Kaprun (25/70cm) just in time for Christmas.

FRANCE

Conditions are variable across the country, with the best conditions to be found in the Southern Alps.

Yesterday was a glorious day in the French Alps and Pyrenees. After recent snow and cloud, the weather cleared to reveal some majestic views. Excellent conditions could be found in Tignes  (42/140cm) (pictured above) and Val d’Isere (30/135cm), where a dusting of fresh snow had refreshed slopes in the area. Thanks to the wind, pockets of fresh, soft snow can be found off-piste. Conditions in Isola 2000 (60/120cm) remained some of the best in the country: there had been lots of precipitation over the preceding days, especially up high, meaning powder snow was abundant once you got away from the slopes. For good piste skiing you needed look no further than Les Arcs (10/100cm) and La Plagne (15/95cm), where slopes were in great condition.

It wasn’t all good news, however, as many resorts were still struggling to open slopes. Conditions in Chamrousse (0/10cm) were particularly bad, with only one slope being open. It was a similar story in Chatel (0/50cm) and the rest of the Porte du Soleil, where very limited skiing was on offer. Other suffering resorts included Les Carroz (0/5cm) and Vallorcine (0/0cm).

SWITZERLAND
The high pressure system continues to dominate the sky, and it appears we may not see much more than one or two centimetres of fresh snow before the end of 2016.
In resort, conditions on piste are still surprisingly excellent. Those lucky enough to be heading out skiing over the Christmas period will be treated to some superb on piste runs. Lovely sunny weather will make for excellent days to be out on the mountain.

The best conditions as always will be in resorts offering skiing above 2000m, Zermatt (105cm) and Saas Fee (30/105cm) in particular. Looking forward there may be some light snowfalls on Christmas Eve but beyond that most resorts can expect clear dry and sunny weather well into next week.

ITALY
Although some resorts have received fresh snow this week, the weather has changed quickly back to sunny dry and clear. From east to west conditions are almost identical across the Italian ski fields. Cervinia (35/170cm) is perhaps the only expectation, opening with two powder days this week, although strong winds has affected some exposed parts of the ski area. Sestriere (50/140cm) appears to have received exceptional snow fall earlier this week, but in resorts conditions remain excellent high up and fair below 2000m.

Over the Christmas period it will be clear sunny weather, and skiing on classic expertly groomed Italian pistes. Fresh snow is unlikely before the end of 2016.

ANDORRA
Great news. Snow has fallen across our featured resorts in Andorra and has improved the quality of the skiing throughout. Yesterday some of the best conditions could be found at Arcalis (35/70cm), where 10cm of fresh snow has provided the opportunity for some powder turns higher up, and has allowed for some lovely on piste skiing. Elsewhere, it was a day of cloud and sun across the Pyranees, with plenty of lifts and runs open as we head towards Christmas.

NORWAY/SWEDEN
Yesterday was a story of improving conditions in Scandinavia. Geilo (40/65cm) was looking in good shape after a dusting of fresh snow fell overnight. Slopes were hard in places, but conditions were good overall. There was finally some new snow for Hemsedal (20/20cm), 3 cm overnight and more was in the forecast. 2 new lifts were also open there bringing the total up to 18. Over in Lillehammer (5/50cm), conditions were unchanged for most resorts, the exception being Skeikampen, where slopes got a bit of new snow. Over in Sweden, the pick of our featured resorts was Salen (45/45cm) where new lifts were opening all the time – 64 now to choose from covering a vast ski area.

GERMANY
Oberstdorf (30/40cm) was open for some limited piste skiing on a mostly artificial base. The snow is good but the ski area is completely bare off piste. Feldburg (0cm) remains closed as it awaits more snow.

BULGARIA
The sunny skies of late turned to cloud and provided an overcast day for our featured Bulgarian resorts yesterday. Skiing in resort is currently OK, with the best riding to be found on the upper slopes. In Bansko (20/40cm) the main run back down to the town is artificial, but due to temperatures of around -4C, snowmaking can continue to operate for the time being.

SCOTLAND
Skiing in Scotland remained on standby on December 22 with none of the countries ski centres currently offering any skiing. However, there is good news as snow has been falling and has turned the mountains to their preferred shade of white. In the east, the gullies at Nevis Range and Glencoe are filling up nicely. Whilst over in the west, The Lecht was covered by a thin blanket of snow.

USA
Another amazing week for the American ski fields, as light snows falls in most resorts on Thursday. Broadly speaking conditions are all time in America right now, December has bought the goods. Most resorts are reporting excellent conditions on piste and the off-piste has been sensational. Today (Friday) will see another storm cycle roll in from the west, Mammoth Mountain (76/213cm) may see over half a metre dumped in 24 hours.

Most resorts will have a white Christmas, it truly is a great time to be skiing in North America.

CANADA
The incredible start to the season continued in Quebec where both Mont Tremblant and Mont Sainte Anne looked in incredible shape. Temperatures were typically cold so riders were advised to layer up! Banff had been enjoying a tremendous spell – as we wrote this, Lake Louise (82/130cm) had received 25cm in just two days. Loads of new snow was also reported at the following resorts: Big White (125/125cm), Fernie (170/170cm), Panorama (32/76cm) and Revelstoke (64/120cm). It seems harsh, however, to single any resorts out for particular praise – every single one of our featured resorts was in incredible condition.