Spring Powder in North America and Winter Arrives Late to the European Alps – World Snow Wrap

March 8th, 2016


Snowy vibes in Mammoth this morning Image:: Mammoth

Mountainwatch | World Snow Wrap

Spring is in full swing as we move into the tail end of Winter 2016/2017, but that doesn’t mean the snow has slowed down at all. Every year it feels like the snow in March is always on point. Is March the new prime-time for powder? Time will tell if the rest of the month lives up to the expectations set over the last week across Canada and the United States. Over in Europe, it feels like Winter has finally arrived with heaps of snow falling across the Alps and plenty more in the forecast.

Read on for more…

TOP 5 FORECAST TOTALS THIS WEEK (7-DAYS)
1. Whistler – Canada – 72cm
2. Heavenly – USA – 68cm
3. Mammoth – USA – 49cm
4. Big White – Canada – 38cm
5. Silver Star – Canada – 27cm
*As at 8/3/16


Whistler has been turning it on lately Image:: Whistler

Canada

It’s #madmarch once again in British Columbia and Alberta this year, with between 10-15cm falling across most of the major resorts over the weekend. Whistler Blackcomb are absolutely copping it today, with 18cm of fresh snow falling across the last 24 hours and another 70cm in the seven day forecast! There may be some patches showing up lower down on the mountains at this time of year, but once you head higher than mid-mountain it’s an entirely different experience. No doubt there will be plenty of epic turns over the next few days.


A couple of Jackson Locals Image:: Jackson Hole

USA

There is top-quality skiing all over the Western United States this week, with Colorado, Utah and California still well and truly reaping the benefits of El Nino. 15-20cm fell across the weekend, and the forecast is lining up snow almost every day until next week! California is set to score 68cm by next Monday. This snowfall will set up an incredible spring touring season this year. Stoked.


A very snowy balcony at Hintertux this morning. Image:: Hintertux


When the snow’s on in Verbier, what do you do? Call the heli! Image:: Verbier

Europe

Finally the outlook is positive in the European Alps; Winter may have arrived late this year, but it has definitely arrived. The weekend in the Italian Dolomites started with 80cm of fresh snow, with 60cm slamming into the Southern Haute Savoie region in France. The very same storm delivered 40-60cm of fresh snow to Switzerland, while Austria scored a little less, with only 30-45cm of fresh snow falling.


It really is that deep in Whistler right now! Image:: Logan Swayze // Coast Mountain Photography

Summary

While it is offically spring, March has really turned it on in the Northern Hemisphere over the last week.

Where We Would Like To Be This Week

Anywhere in the Alps – fresh snow, great food and wine would be hard to beat!