Heavy Snow Hits The European Alps – World Snow Wrap
Skiing from St Anton, toward picturesque St Christoph on a perfect Austrian powder day, January 19 Image:: Alex Horvath
Mountainwatch | World Snow Wrap
After an extremely slow and mild start to winter, the European Alps are currently experiencing heavy snowfalls across all major regions. Up to one metre of snow is expected once the storm has passed, which will finally transform the low-tide conditions that have been prevailing. Eastern states in North America have also been experiencing fresh snow thanks to Winter Storm Juno, while the West Coast swelters under spring-like conditions. Read on for more…
TOP 5 FORECAST TOTALS THIS WEEK (7-DAYS)
1. Hakuba, Japan – 39 cm
2. Niseko, Japan – 26 cm
3. Whistler, Canada – 16 cm
4. Vail, Colorado – 14 cm
5. Aspen, Colorado – 14 cm
*As at 30/1/15
Kicking Horse delivers some of the most challenging and fun in-bounds terrain to be found anywhere in Canada – especially on a day like January 28 Image:: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Canada
Revelstoke copped 20cm of fresh snow overnight on Sunday, January 25, bringing the total to over six metres since the beginning of the season. Fernie, Kicking Horse, Silverstar, Sun Peaks and other resorts nearby also copped a solid 20 or so from the same storm. Unfortunately, the storm snow combined with the rapid increase in temperatures that followed have led to lots of issues with stability in the backcountry. The unstable snowpack even led to Red Bull delaying their Cold Rush Freeride contest. Further over in Alberta, Lake Louise, Sunshine and Norquay all scored a little bit of fresh snow last week, which rejuvenated the snowpack ahead of the mostly mild conditions of the last few days. More snow is needed across western Canada. Thankfully, it looks like that will arrive from Sunday/Monday as temperatures cool and the storm clouds roll in. Unfortunately Whistler Blackcomb has been sweltering under the unseasonal warm spell, and has been losing snow at low elevations.
Due to the lack of snow, the fun has been found in Mammoth’s Parks and Pipe recently. Kelly Clark Image:: Mammoth
USA
The majority of resorts in the Western United States have also been experiencing the mild temperatures that plagued their northern neighbours of late. Although interestingly, California just received its first major snowfall since before Christmas when around 10cm fell in the Tahoe resorts of Squaw and Heavenly. Mammoth mountain also received a much-needed top-up. A lot more snow is needed before conditions can be said to have improved markedly. The mid-western ski areas continue to receive fairly consistent snow, with places like Jackson Hole and Big Sky enjoying fantastic mid-winter conditions.
Winter storm Juno may not have delivered as much as expected in New York City, but it delivered plenty of super-dry pow to Sugarloaf on January 29 Image:: Sugarloaf
The East Coast of continental USA is the polar opposite of the west. Winter Storm Juno delivered huge snowfalls of up to 50cm to the New York and Boston areas, while places like Sugarbush, Sugarloaf and Killington all received between 20 and 40cm from the storm.
The fresh snow in Laax meant that the Burton European Open was delayed yesterday. Today the park crew cleared and recut the jumps and the course opened for practice. The action will kick-off tomorrow and continue all weekend. Image:: Snowpark Laax
Europe
Well as they say, luck can change in an instant. After struggling through a mostly dry December and January, the European Alps are now enjoying a significant snow event that looks set to deliver over one metre of fresh snow to parts of the Northern Alps. 20-40cm has fallen across most parts of France and Austria with slightly less snow falling to the south in Italy. The storm is expected to persist across the weekend and some impressive totals are expected by early next week.
A word of warning: all this new snow is falling on top of a badly decayed and unstable layer from earlier in the season. With huge snow loading, and the possibility of wind-loading, the avalanche danger is expected to go through the roof. The numbers reported are varied, but more than 30 people have lost their lives in avalanches across Europe this season already. Take care, and as always: if you don’t know, don’t go.
Summary
The tables have turned, Europe is now the clear winner in the pow-stakes. The mild conditions are tipped to cool this weekend across the western resorts in North America, so hopefully conditions will improve.
Where We Would Like To Be This Week
Chamonix. Some of the biggest terrain in Europe combined with fresh snow will make for some epic skiing once the snowpack settles.
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