North America Steals the Snow in December, Europe Remains Dry for Now – World Snow Wrap
Even Santa found out how good the skiing has been in Whistler, so he dropped in for some pre-Christmas powder. Image:: Whistler Blackcomb
Mountainwatch | World Snow Wrap
It’s hard to ignore the insane amount of snow that has been hitting Oregon, Washington and British Columbia over the last few weeks. The ski-media train has been at full steam, with GoPro edits, selfie shots, athlete Instagrams and video snow reports proudly clogging the feed. We don’t blame them though, we were lucky enough to find ourselves in Whistler Blackcomb when the snow really started on Thursday 9 December and we can assure you that after a few days of constant snow, conditions really were all-time.
So, while the Northwest has been experiencing some heavy bouts of pukage, what’s been going on across the rest of the Northern Hemi? Read on for more…
TOP 5 FORECAST TOTALS THIS WEEK (7-DAYS)
1. Niseko, Japan – 45cm
2. Whistler, Canada – 43cm
3. Heavenly, USA – 39cm
4. Mammoth, USA – 38cm
5. Steamboat, USA – 35cm
*As at 23/12/15
A Revelstoked local buries the tail in some fine Selkirk powder yesterday. Image:: Revelstoke
Canada
As mentioned above, it’s pretty much as good as it gets up in Western Canada. British Columbia and Alberta have been experiencing near record-breaking December snowfalls and it has been punctuated by even more snow over the last few days. Whistler Blackcomb has received 78cm of new snow in the last 7-days and as you can see above there is more in the forecast. Further to the interior, and Revelstoke and Fernie are sitting on a huge 489cm and 298cm of cumulative snowfall respectively. Get there if you can! The Eastern resorts are finally feeling like Winter is on their doorstep with about 10cm of new snow over the last few days.
Read More: Whistler Blackcomb Celebrates 50-Years of Skiing
Mammoth got in the festive spirit with its annual Night of Lights last night. Image:: Mammoth
USA
California and Colorado are getting set for another snowstorm that will set them up nicely heading into Christmas. Utah are expecting to do nicely out of the storm track too, with up to 50cm expected to fall by Christmas day. Colorado, Breckenridge, Vail and Beaver Creek are all tipped to see about 40-50cm of new snow fall over the next 7-Days. In line with British Columbia, the Pacific North West are also getting set for some huge powder days this week, with up to one metre of powder expected by Boxing Day! El Nino continues to deliver.
Utah has been experience plenty of the dry powder it’s most known for. Image:: Val Thorens
The park line has been keeping snow-hungry skiers busy up at Austria’s Stubai Image:: Stubai
Europe
In comparison to North America, the situation in the European Alps is dire with almost no significant snowfall in three weeks. Many resorts in the Southern Alps are offering only on-piste skiing about the higher peaks as they wait for any sign of new snowfall. As you’d expect, the bigger resorts in France and Austria are able to offer some spring-like conditions at higher altitudes but the lower mountain is quite bare. If you’re looking for skiing head to resorts with glacier skiing like Stubai in Austria or Les Trois Vallees in France.
Summary
The Western states in North America continue to be pounded with snow while the European Alps wait for another significant storm.
Where We Would Like To Be This Week
The dry champagne powder in Utah would be a treat this Christmas.
Lake Louise forecasts,
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Heavenly forecasts,
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Big White forecasts,
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Whistler forecasts,
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Vail forecasts,
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Steamboat forecasts,
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Fernie forecasts,
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Snowbird forecasts,
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Sun Peaks forecasts,
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Park City forecasts,
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Mammoth forecasts,
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