Snow Conditions

The regional Avalanche Bulletins also contain information about snow condtions and the weather outlook.

Saturday, 12 August, 2006

Summer Snow

Snow at lower altitudes in August is rare but not unheard of. The last major falls were during the summer of 2002. Since then we have had two summers of exceptional temperatures, 2003 and this year. Both of which have done considerable damage to the alpine glaciers. The director of tourism at Tignes believes that summer skiing will not be possible on the glacier du Grande Motte within a decade.

august snow in the alps

Posted by davidof at 10:35 AM
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Thursday, 25 May, 2006

Retrospective on the 2005 - 2006 Ski Season

The smaller mountain regions of France had an excellent winter season with exceptional snow cover in the Vosges, Jura and Massif Central and very good conditions in Corsica and the Pyrenees. Although the total snowfall was not astounding a long period of cold weather meant that the snow that did fall remained on the ground even at quite low altitudes. The season in the Southern Alps was satisfactory and much better than last winter. In the Northern Alps the season was below average at higher altitudes until mid-February.

powder skiing December 2005 Vercors
Skiing in early December

Posted by davidof at 05:15 PM
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Tuesday, 09 May, 2006

Ne’r cast a clout

In Yorkshire, as well as having “Trouble at T’Mill” they advise people to “Ne’r cast a clout till T’may is out”. A little further south European gardeners fear and respect the “Ice Saints”. Tomorrow (May 11) is the feast day of Saint Mamertius followed by Pancras and Gervais. Traditionally these are the last days for frost and gardeners wait their passing before planting sensitive flowers.

les sept laux
Pistes of the 7 Laux today

Posted by davidof at 08:44 PM
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Monday, 27 March, 2006

Heatwave hits ski resorts

The end is nigh it would seem, at least for some ski resorts. With temperatures hitting 25C over the weekend in the Alps and swimmers testing the waters of the Mediterranean many low lying ski resorts are already thinking of shutting up shop for the season. In the Isère department Méaudre, Le Sappey, Saint Pierre de Chartreuse, le Col de Marcieu and St Hilaire have already closed with the Collet d’Allevard likely to follow shortly.

heatwave
Best skiing on upper slopes

Posted by davidof at 10:11 PM
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Friday, 18 November, 2005

Ridiculous

“Ridiculous”, that is how Météo France have described the snow conditions in the Alps for mid-November. Despite a covering of 5-10cm of snow above 2000 meters it is one of the poorest starts to the season for some time. Even Val Thorens, at 2300 meters, the highest resort in Europe, has delayed its opening until the 26th of November at the earliest. Normally one can expect Val Tho to open the first weekend of the month.

snow canon val cenis
Cold enough for snow canons at Val Cenis

Posted by davidof at 03:32 PM
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Friday, 31 December, 2004

Snow and Avalanche Report: Week 53-2004

The snow cover in the Northern Alps improved considerably for Christmas with snowfall over the weekend above 1200 meters descending to low altitudes on Monday and Tuesday. This was followed by sunny weather which should continue until Saturday evening when further snow is expected. The snow certainly put a smile on the faces of many ski resorts which had reservations of only around 50% in the run-up to Christmas.

blown snow
Snow blowing on ridgelines on Wednesday

Posted by davidof at 09:05 AM
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Wednesday, 04 December, 2002

Heavy Snow Forecast for the Pyrenees

Meteo France has forecast heavy snow for the Pyrenees over the next 24 hours with a high avalanche risk. Snow is forecast down to 500 meters throughout France which should top up the lower parts of the ski stations which had been lacking cover. There has already been considerable snowfall at high altitude.

Posted by davidof at 05:33 PM
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Wednesday, 20 February, 2002

Fresh Snowfall and High Avalanche Risk

Fresh snowfall in the Alpes over the next two days. Coupled with an 80km/h South-Westerly wind expect significant snow loading on north and east facing slopes, with a saturated base below 1400 meters.

Posted by davidof at 07:23 PM
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