Norrona2015

Arrived in Bulgaria late last night, -15c at Sofia airport with drifting snow. Had a 10 minute wait on the arrival bus with the doors open, some of passengers weren't dressed for the weather and we're shivering badly. Currently below -20c, breezy and light snow. It's like stepping into a freezer when we left the hotel this morning.

Overcast,damp and calm. Currently 4c

How good does that piste look!

The latest snow-forecast.com world snow overview: http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full

Not a problem, if you need any more information, just give me a shout.

Hi, I live close to Sauchen, about 15 minutes by car further inland, and know the place well. A rural quiet village to the west of Aberdeen city by 17 miles, it's also near to Westhill which is on the same road into Aberdeen. Westhill has a large Tesco's, Marks and Spencer's, star buck's etc, travel time 15 minutes tops. Sauchen definetly does well when it snows and I witnessed impressive drifting on the Sauchen straight (section of road A944) during the bad winters 2009/10 and 2010/11. It pretty much gets the same snowfall as my location and it can get very cold. In recent years snow seems to be falling less and less. Heres a video for conditions near where I live December 2010, that year people in remoter areas were cut off due to the snow depth: P.S House prices in the area are down due to the oil and gas slump so you may be able to negotiate a good deal.

Did a month in Les Arcs March 2015 and enjoyed every minute of it. Despite there being little snowfall during my time there, the pistes were in fantastic shape. Next time I go I'll stay in 1950 instead of in Bourg.

Fresh doubt over global warming pause: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38513740

Looking good Malcolm, enjoy your trip! Just back after a few hours hill walking and thought I'd check the live webcams from Bansko to see if the forecasted snow has come to much. OMFG the weathers gone bonkers over there: http://original.livestream.com/bansko Check out Todorka at 2550 meters

1950 definitely looking whiter than it did yesterday and in the link below it's clearly snowing: http://en.lesarcs.com/live/les-arcs-livecams/livecam-1950.html#ong333

Morning RD, We're heading to Bansko on Saturday, this will be my first time too Bulgaria so looking forward to it. Yesterdays unexpected snowfall attracted large numbers which caused lengthy waits for the gondola as Facebook confirmed. Turn up around 8am and queueing is not an issue, turn up 9am onwards, it's a different story. This trip was organised by one of our party and when he sen't an email out with the cost and what's included I'd thought he'd made a mistake. Fights, transfers, 7 nights in a 4 start hotel half board and a six day lift pass for a few hundred pounds seemed ridiculously cheap.

Bright, calm start. Yesterday's snowfall has disappeared. -3c

Slight dusting now, I'm thinking that qualifies as a snow day.

Hi Wintry Wales, Never been to either sadly but one of the lads thats travelling with me on Saturday goes to Tignes every November and has done for years. He was raving about the conditions while he was there this year.

Been snowing here on and off since lunchtime and its now getting heavier. Not lying yet but theres no mention of snow in the MetO 7 day forecast for my location.

Thanks Ravelin, really looking forward to getting away now. The snowfall amounts are up and down for Bulgaria at present but they did get 15cm through the night that wasn't forecast. The main dump is due Thursday and Friday before we arrive late Saturday. Next week looks like the resort will be quiet as most of the countries return to work with the exception of Russia. I've been forewarned about the the queues for the uplift, best to get there early each day and to keep a keen eye out for suicidal boarders and skiers. Having watched some videos, a suit of armour might be a good idea. I'll stick a post or two up as the week progresses. Sorry to hear about Mrs Ravelins accident on the final day, please pass on my wishes for a speedy recovery.

Overcast Occasional wintery showers 2c

Great news Malcolm! The webcams are already showing a much improved picture for some resorts this morning. Happy day's!

Over on the MT, image of Buzzard distribution in the UK?????......... if anyones interested.

World snow overview courtesy of snow-forecast.com http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full Slight change of plan for my first trip of the season, solely based on expected snowfall, conditions etc. BULGARIA Stable and dry weather conditions over the Bulgarian ski resorts on Tuesday 3rd January. Conditions were firm today and the off-piste skiing is still very, very limited. However, big snowfalls are expected before this weekend. Borovets can expect just under one metre of new snow by Friday with another 25cm over the weekend. Bansko (20/60cm) and Pamporovo (65/60cm) will get only slightly less than this, finally. These much needed snowfalls will continue on and off for the next week.

On the subject of struggling and Scottish mountains: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-38488123 A lucky ending given the area they were found in has proved deadly in the past.

Mild start 7c. Overcast, dry and calm.

Morning. Dull overcast start to the day, the kind of day that it should rain but it never does. 7c so feeling mild........a prozac day! Off snowboarding on Saturday and the weather forecast, if it holds, is looking great. Very cold and snowy. Ignore the image below please.

Just out of curiosity but are the charts showing anything of interest for the middle of next week? Interesting Facebook post from Cairngorm mountain operations.....charts......winter storm... Credit to Polar Maritime as he posted the info in the snow on the Scottish mountain thread.

A poor season so far for all the Scottish ski centres. Hopefully above starts to improve the outlook.