The Alps 2012-13 Weather and Skiing Discussion Thread

[J10]

Latest Ski Blog out, below average temps and genrally unsettled, so further snowfalls possible this week

[J10]

Latest SKi Blog Out. Quite cool over the Alps this week, never really tapping into the cold uppers, but rather unsettled with further snowfalls over higher slopes.

[J10]

Weekly update again

Wengen (Switzerland) 55cm/135cm [60cm/140cm], 5cm on 24 Feb, 0cm (L7), Good, Varied (10 March)
Avoriaz (France) 230cm/270cm [250cm/290cm], 2cm on 8 Mar, 4cm (L7), Spring Snow, Varied (10 March)
Kitzbuhel (Austria) 70cm/160cm [75cm/165cm], 8cm on 10 Mar, 10cm (L7), Good, Varied (10 March)
Borovets (Bulgaria) 100cm/170cm [120cm/190cm], 5cm on 26 Feb, 0cm (L7), Excellent, Varied (8 March)
Couchavel (France) 131cm/193cm [140cm/204cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Machine Groomed (10 March)
Cauterets (France) 450cm/570cm [470cm/590cm], 20cm [L3], Snow Type: Packed Powder (10 March)
Livigno (Italy) 58cm/197cm [70cm/205cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Machine Groomed (10 March)
Westendorf (Austria) 70cm/140cm [100cm/170cm], 10cm [L3], Snow Type : Variable (10 March)

Weekly update again

Wengen (Switzerland) 50cm/150cm [55cm/135cm], 5cm on 21 Mar, 25cm (L7), Good, Varied (24 March)
Avoriaz (France) 280cm/320cm [230cm/270cm], 1cm on 24 Mar, 81cm (L7), Good, Heavy (24 March)
Kitzbuhel (Austria) 60cm/160cm [70cm/160cm], 5cm on 21 Mar, 11cm (L7), Spring Snow, Varied (24 March)
Borovets (Bulgaria) 60cm/150cm [100cm/170cm], 10cm on 22 Feb, 0cm (L7), Good, Powder (22 March)
Couchavel (France) 158cm/230cm [131cm/193cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Machine Groomed (24 March)
Cauterets (France) 479cm/590cm [450cm/570cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type: N/A (24 March)
Livigno (Italy) 45cm/220cm [58cm/197cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Machine Groomed (24 March)
Westendorf (Austria) 50cm/125cm [70cm/140cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Powder (24 March)

Edited March 24, 2013 by Jackone

[J10]

http://forum.netweat...0th-march-2013/

Latest Ski Blog now out just in time for Easter. Further snow expected over the weekend more especially on higher slopes, showery into the afternoon next week with spring snow for the afternoon.

Edited March 31, 2013 by Jackone

[johnholmes]

Time for a rest for you Julian before Glastonbury, had a request yet from a certain well known music knight?

thanks as usual for all the effort that goes into this type of work I'm sure I am not the only one to appreciate it.

In general the Alps seem to have had a very good season.

My area certainly had the longest spell of sub zero temperatures from 1 February that I have ever seen and with superb snow conditions, still there, if only Uncle Ernie would send me a few thousand £'s!!

[J10]

Thanks John for the nice comments and no requests for Glastonbury as of yet.

Some family members are away in Avoriaz atm and I thought I'd play a game of spot the difference between this years snow and last years. See if you guess which is which.

[J10]

Weekly update again

Wengen (Switzerland) 50cm/150cm [55cm/135cm], 5cm on 21 Mar, 25cm (L7), Good, Varied (24 March)
Avoriaz (France) 280cm/320cm [230cm/270cm], 1cm on 24 Mar, 81cm (L7), Good, Heavy (24 March)
Kitzbuhel (Austria) 60cm/160cm [70cm/160cm], 5cm on 21 Mar, 11cm (L7), Spring Snow, Varied (24 March)
Borovets (Bulgaria) 60cm/150cm [100cm/170cm], 10cm on 22 Feb, 0cm (L7), Good, Powder (22 March)
Couchavel (France) 158cm/230cm [131cm/193cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Machine Groomed (24 March)
Cauterets (France) 479cm/590cm [450cm/570cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type: N/A (24 March)
Livigno (Italy) 45cm/220cm [58cm/197cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Machine Groomed (24 March)
Westendorf (Austria) 50cm/125cm [70cm/140cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Powder (24 March)

Time for the latest update, it does look as if most resorts will now run till the end of the season, given current snow depths.

Perhaps someone with better knowledge of running ski resorts may be able to help with this, how expensive would it be to extend a season if there is plentiful snow, or is it the lack of visitors that makes it uneconomic.

Weekly update again

Wengen (Switzerland) 40cm.135cm [50cm/150cm], 5cm on 31 Mar, 9cm (L7), Good, Powder (31 March)
Avoriaz (France) 260cm/300cm [280cm/320cm], 22cm on 31 Mar, 77cm (L7), Exellent, Powder (31 March)
Kitzbuhel (Austria) 55cm/155cm [60cm/160cm], 5cm on 29 Mar, 12cm (L7), Good, Varied (31 March)
Borovets (Bulgaria) 50cm/150cm [60cm/150cm], 10cm on 22 Mar, 0cm (L7), Good, Spring Snow (28 March)
Couchavel (France) 1692m/234cm [158cm/230cm], 4cm [L3], Snow Type : Packed Powder (1 April)
Cauterets (France) 420cm/540cm [479cm/590cm], 20cm [L3], Snow Type : Wet (1 April)
Livigno (Italy) 40cm/237cm [45cm/220cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Machine Groomed (1 April)
Westendorf (Austria) 50cm/125cm [70cm/140cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Powder (24 March)

Edited April 1, 2013 by Jackone

[johnholmes]

Thanks John for the nice comments and no requests for Glastonbury as of yet.

Some family members are away in Avoriaz atm and I thought I'd play a game of spot the difference between this years snow and last years. See if you guess which is which.

first due amount of snow?

[J10]

first due amount of snow?

Indeed. The first one was Late March 2013, the 2nd Late March 2012,

Latest Ski Blog now out, showery again over the weekend, but more appreciable snowfall expected over higher slopes this week, but rain is expected lower down.

http://forum.netweat...blog-5th-april/

Edited April 5, 2013 by Jackone

[ScottSnow]

Been skiing in the 'Scottish Alps' the past couple of days. I skied Glenshee in the Highlands yesterday and today and the conditions were fantastic, certainly on par with Morzine where I skied in February.

Good snow and sunny skies gave me an excellent couple of days and with cool temps continuing in the forecast I would advise anybody who enjoys skiing and has a couple of days free to get up there and make the most of the snow.

The club ski tows in the north of England have still got good conditions and are certainly worth a day out. You can enjoy good skiing in this country at the minute you don't have to go abroad.

[J10]

Time for the latest update, it does look as if most resorts will now run till the end of the season, given current snow depths.

Perhaps someone with better knowledge of running ski resorts may be able to help with this, how expensive would it be to extend a season if there is plentiful snow, or is it the lack of visitors that makes it uneconomic.

Weekly update again

Wengen (Switzerland) 40cm.135cm [50cm/150cm], 5cm on 31 Mar, 9cm (L7), Good, Powder (31 March)
Avoriaz (France) 260cm/300cm [280cm/320cm], 22cm on 31 Mar, 77cm (L7), Exellent, Powder (31 March)
Kitzbuhel (Austria) 55cm/155cm [60cm/160cm], 5cm on 29 Mar, 12cm (L7), Good, Varied (31 March)
Borovets (Bulgaria) 50cm/150cm [60cm/150cm], 10cm on 22 Mar, 0cm (L7), Good, Spring Snow (28 March)
Couchavel (France) 1692m/234cm [158cm/230cm], 4cm [L3], Snow Type : Packed Powder (1 April)
Cauterets (France) 420cm/540cm [479cm/590cm], 20cm [L3], Snow Type : Wet (1 April)
Livigno (Italy) 40cm/237cm [45cm/220cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Machine Groomed (1 April)
Westendorf (Austria) 50cm/125cm [70cm/140cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Powder (24 March)

Latest Ski Conditions as we approach end of season

Wengen (Switzerland) 30cm/140cm [40cm.135cm], 4cm on 31 Mar, 0cm (L7), Good, Heavy  (7 April) 
Avoriaz (France) 290cm/330cm [260cm/300cm], 22cm on 31 Mar, 0cm (L7), Spring Snow, Spring Snow (7 April)
Kitzbuhel (Austria) 55cm/165cm [55cm/155cm], 10cm on 31 Mar, 0cm (L7), Good, Varied (7 April)
Borovets (Bulgaria) 40cm/150cm [50cm/150cm], 3cm on 3 Apr, 3cm (L7), Good, Spring Snow (5 April)
Couchavel (France) 155cm/237cm [162m/234cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Machine Groomed (7 April)
Cauterets (France) 400cm/500cm [420cm/540cm], 10cm [L3], Snow Type : Packed Powder (7 April) 
Livigno (Italy) 25cm/233cm [40cm/237cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Machine Groomed (7 April)
Westendorf (Austria) 40cm/90cm [50cm/125cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Packed Powder (7 April) 

Edited April 7, 2013 by Jackone

[J10]

http://forum.netweather.tv/blog/189/entry-4594-alps-weather-blog-12th-april/

 

Latest Ski Blog now out, turning much milder this week, with a Spanish plume pushing up over the Alps.

[J10]

It would not be right thought not to mention the terrible coach crash last week, needless to say, thought are with the families of those affected.

 

I did promise a final blog for the season last night, but instead of doing a half hearted one which did not reach the quality of others. I'll have a quick look ahead for the final week of the season for many resorts.

 

This is the latest look at the resort across Europe http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full showing the warm weather has caused a good deal of thaw but some very sunny conditions to ski in. However since then things have changed again with some snow overnight overnight over some parts of the Alps.

 

Today

 

Rather unsettled across the Alps, with some moderate precipitation most notably in western parts concentrated in NW Italy and fringing both France and Switzerland, another west to east temperature split, not for the first time, but rather unusually this time, warmer in the east than the west. Freezing level far west (Western parts of French Alps and Switzerland) 1400-1800, 2200-2600m for much of the Alps

 

Sun 21 April

Overnight precipitation gradually fading away by morning, turning drier for a time, but showers developing quite widespread across the Alps, possibly with the exception of the far North East, Freezing Level more generally around 2000-2300m.

The showers also slowly fading into the evening and overnight.

 

Mon 22 April

Showers continuing overnight, slowly becoming less frequent before picking up again during the afternoon, Freezing Levels 1900-2600m, milder the further east you go.

 

Tue 23 April

A bit drier for the morning compared to recent days, however, showers developing into the afternoon, but generally lighter than has been the case of recent days. Maximum freezing level generally around 2100-2300m

 

Wed 24 April

At this stage, Wednesday looks a mostly dry day, with very little in the way of showers, a milder than recently, with freezing levels, close to 2900-3300m [south to North]

 

Outlook

Thursday looking warm and sunny, Friday sees the return of the overnight showers, with slightly cooler tempos. Into eh weekend, perhaps colder again from the North West with further snow to resort level, this Alpine winter doesn't want to end.

 

I intend to do a final end of season summary next week, but thought s on this season snow, and your holiday experiences are more than welcome.

Edited April 20, 2013 by Jackone

[J10]

Latest Ski Conditions as we approach end of season

 

Wengen (Switzerland) 30cm/140cm [40cm.135cm], 4cm on 31 Mar, 0cm (L7), Good, Heavy  (7 April) Avoriaz (France) 290cm/330cm [260cm/300cm], 22cm on 31 Mar, 0cm (L7), Spring Snow, Spring Snow (7 April)Kitzbuhel (Austria) 55cm/165cm [55cm/155cm], 10cm on 31 Mar, 0cm (L7), Good, Varied (7 April)Borovets (Bulgaria) 40cm/150cm [50cm/150cm], 3cm on 3 Apr, 3cm (L7), Good, Spring Snow (5 April)Couchavel (France) 155cm/237cm [162m/234cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Machine Groomed (7 April)Cauterets (France) 400cm/500cm [420cm/540cm], 10cm [L3], Snow Type : Packed Powder (7 April) Livigno (Italy) 25cm/233cm [40cm/237cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Machine Groomed (7 April)Westendorf (Austria) 40cm/90cm [50cm/125cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : Packed Powder (7 April) 

Latest Ski Conditions as we approach end of season

 

 Avoriaz (France) 240cm/280cm [290cm/330cm], 5cm on 13 Apr, 0cm (L7), Good, Spring Snow (19 April)Kitzbuhel (Austria) 35cm/145cm [55cm/155cm], 9cm on 13 Apr, 0cm (L7), Good, Spring Snow (19 April)Couchavel (France) 133cm/238cm [155cm/237cm], 17cm [L3], Snow Type : Packed Powder (21 April)Livigno (Italy) 0cm/213cm [25cm/233cm], 0cm [L3], Snow Type : N/A (19 April) Wengen (Switzerland) Closed for SeasonBorovets (Bulgaria) Closed for SeasonCauterets (France) Closed for SeasonWestendorf (Austria) Closed for Season 

[carinthian]

Hi all,

This morning the last bit of snow has melted away in my garden. Plenty of snow can be seen still on the surrounding peaks at around 2000m with plenty of patches to lower levels on Northern terrain. Presently, the  weather is fairly warm with showers.

What a great past season it has been. A slow start and a great finish. Our resort could have easily stayed open until the end of April. Still some great ski-ing in the higher resorts with, Solden open all year.

Thanks for the reports Julian and lets hope next season is just as good throughout the Alps.

 C

[J10]

Cheers for the nice comments,

 

Snow still causing problems though in France/Italy casuing havoc with the Giro D'Italia

 

http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=823d3a40b51c82f60f316baa5&id=85eaa0c632