Slight Warming Trend in Europe, Pow Continues in North America – World Snow Wrap
A patriotic day in Breckenridge, Colorado, January 11 Image:: Breckenridge
Mountainwatch | World Snow Wrap
The European Alps are currently experiencing slightly milder than usual temperatures as they prepare for snow later this week. Meanwhile, the majority of North American resorts continue to be bombarded with fresh snow – with California being the only exception. Read on for more…
TOP 5 FORECAST TOTALS THIS WEEK (7-DAYS)
1. Whistler, Canada – 80 cm
2. Niseko, Japan – 33 cm
3. Fernie, British Columbia – 27 cm
4. Park City, Utah – 20 cm
5. Sun Peaks, British Columbia – 20 cm
*As at 13/1/15
That there is what 62cm in 48hours looks like in Revelstoke, B.C Image:: Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Canada
Whistler Blackcomb is back in the game this week, with up to 80cm forecast to fall over the next seven days. January kicked off incredibly well in B.C, but it did warm slightly last week bringing in some ugly weather. Thankfully, things seem to be back in line. Revelstoke just continues to score, with 62cm of snow falling there in 48hours over Tuesday/Wednesday last week. Fernie, Silverstar, Sun Peaks and other resorts in the B.C interior are experiencing an exceptional start to the season and are already sporting a deep base. In Alberta, Lake Louise, Sunshine, Norquay all scored 30cm of new snow last week, and are all now operating at 100% capacity. The Banff resorts are expecting another 15-20cm of snow as we move toward the weekend.
Jackson Hole experienced 35 inches of snow in three days last week. Stop what you’re doing for a second, and contemplate how good that day would have been Image:: Jackson Hole
USA
It’s been snowing in Colorado, with about 10cm falling overnight in Vail, Breckenridge and Steamboat. By the look of the cams the sun is out now, too. Jackson Hole had a huge week last week, with 70cm falling in three days. Jackson has now received 207″ of snow this winter! Sadly, California continues to struggle, with barely a dusting falling there since Christmas. After a few straight years of poor winters, there’s no doubt that locals are beginning to become a little worried. Our models haven’t seemed to pick it up just yet, but some crew in California are saying that snow is expected this weekend. Time will tell.
Austria is the exception of the Alps at the moment, with very good skiing on offer nearly everywhere. St Christoph, The Arlberg, Austria. January 7 Image:: St Anton
Europe
There is a slightly concerning warming trend affecting European resorts this weekend. This is due to the interaction of the Southerly Foehn wind that is currently bringing mild temperatures to parts of the French Alps. This is less concerning the further north you go, with places like Chamonix, up near the Swiss and Italian border, receiving a welcome 10cm of fresh snow on Monday morning. This warm air mass has brought with it mostly sunny skies to the majority of the Alps. The mild period is expected to clear out by Wednesday as a significant snow event begins to affect the Alps. This storm should bring much needed snow to areas in the Southern French Alps that haven’t had snow since December 27. Significant snow totals are expected in the Central and Northern Alps as the system moves through toward the weekend.
For now the general consensus in Europe is that most resorts are snow-starved across France, Italy and Switzerland, with the best conditions to be found in Austria. Fingers crossed that this will change after the next cold front moves through from Wednesday.
Looking up at the Aiguille des Grand Montets, Chamonix. You can see on the slope in the foreground that the French Alps are in dire need of more snow – truly magnificent mountains nonetheless Image:: Alex Horvath
Summary
North America just keeps on getting better, while Europe holds prospects for a significant improvement.
Where We Would Like To Be This Week
It would be pretty hard to beat Whistler Blackcomb this week – especially if that 80cm prediction comes off!
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