World Resorts Snow Forecast Update
Austria has very limited skiing on offer today due to the warm summer climate which is causing the snow to deteriorate. While the best skiing in France can be found first thing in the morning before the sun causes the snow to soften. In Italy there are beautiful sunny skies at Cervinia and Val Senales. If you are skiing in Switzerland this week the best snow will be first thing before the sun takes its toll. The rain of today at Blackcomb, Canada will brighten up tomorrow to give a lovely sunny end to the summer ski season. The sun is shining brightly again over Timberline, USA. There are fantastic conditions across New Zealand following the snowstorms of last week. There are varied conditions across Australia with Thredbo and Perisher Blue fairing slightly better than some of the other resorts. Snow fell all weekend in Argentina and it is set to carry on snowing all week. Excellent powder conditions can be found at Portillo in Chile following 75cm of new snow yesterday.
AUSTRIA
The snow across the open glacial resorts of Austria continues to be wet and slushy. It is foggy today at Hintertux (70cm) but it will hopefully brighten up tomorrow. Unfortunately the snow conditions have not changed and it continues to be wet and slushy underfoot. There are similar conditions at the Molltal Glacier (160cm) as it is slightly cloudy in the area but visibility is still ok. The skiing at Kaprun (96cm) is limited to the glacier plateau but it is gloriously sunny and a perfect day to potter around the lake at Zell am See. Stubai (80cm) has very limited skiing today as only 1km of pistes open. Sadly Kaunertal is now closed for the summer season and Solden (100cm) is still closed due to the warm temperatures which are melting the snow.
FRANCE
The best skiing in France can be found first thing in the morning. Les Deux Alpes (300cm) still has an amazing snow base despite the bright sunny skies overhead. The sun has had an impact though as early in the morning the pistes are packed and firm but become softer later on. At Tignes (260cm) the weather may break later today with rain expected during late afternoon. Summer skiing at Val d Isere has now closed for the season.
SWITZERLAND
There is some good skiing on offer in Switzerland but it is best to head up to the slopes early before the sun turns them soft and slushy. At Engleberg (300cm) the slopes are still closed which seems to be due to the warm weather but they have the park open for those who prefer to spend time in the air rather than on the snow. Conditions at Saas Fee (154cm) soften quickly but the park and 4 runs are still open for general use. The same is true for Zermatt (100cm) but the clouds are going to get thicker this afternoon hinting that rain is on the way.
ITALY
There is great skiing on offer at Cervinia (100cm) and Val Senales (50cm). The slopes are softening quickly under the beautiful sunny skies. The Presena glacier is remains closed for snowsports today.
NORTH AMERICA
It is not a cheery start to the last week of the summer ski season on the Blackcomb Glacier in Canada (140cm). The weather will bright up tomorrow, perfect weather to make the most of the last week on snow. It is going to be another glorious day on the glacier at Timberline, USA (160cm) but this is causing the snow to melt and it is best to head up first thing in the morning.
AUSTRALIA
There is a mixed bag of conditions in Australia today as some resorts are fairing much better than others. It is currently snowing at Thredbo (12/48cm) and they have had 3cm in the last few hours. This gave some fresh powder in the afternoon as most of the area became loose and sugary later in the morning. Some runs to check out at the moment are Supertrail early, Walkabout and Ballroom at the Cruiser and Friday Flat. Selwyn Snowfields (10/30cm) had a dusting of snow this morning which has made the hard packed manmade pistes slightly more appealing. Beginners should go to New Chum while the more proficient skiers out there should head for Township and Racecourse. The 50 snow cannons which were firing at Perisher Blue (18/45cm) last night leaving a fresh layer of snow at Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes and Blue Cow. Mount Hotham (25/55cm) has soft conditions across the resort, with good skiing can be found on Summit Trainer, Big D, Basin, Sun Run and Slalom Gully while there is the Swindlers Rail park for the freestylers amongst you. Mount Buller (2/32cm) needs more snow as despite many of the areas being open they could be better. They had 1cm of new snow yesterday but a lot more than this is needed before conditions will improve. Finally at Falls Creek (16/53cm) the snow has become soft but there are lots going on this week including race training and snow tubing. Mount Baw Baw (2/18cm) has very limited skiing on Tank Hill where the cover is very patchy especially on the lower slopes. Ben Lomond is yet to open for the winter due to a lack of snow.
NEW ZEALAND
The resorts of New Zealand had a huge boost last week and the good news is that they have now reopened giving excellent snow conditions across the country. Fresh powder can still be found off piste at Coronet Peak (75/200cm) despite the powder hounds being out in full force over the weekend. Mount Olympus (150/180cm) has reopened with powder conditions across the resort. There is lots of skiing for all levels at Cadrona (40/120cm) and Porter Heights (140/180cm). The groomers were out in full force last night and special attention was given to the main trails. They are advising for people to take care as the strong winds have revealed the odd hazard. Mount Hutt (190/190cm) has now reopened with powder on the upper slopes. There is some more good news at Mount Hutt today as the Dirty Dog Halfpipe opens today. Mount Lyford (180/180cm) had 50cm of snow on Friday and the trails are now packed down but pockets of fresh powder can be found off pistes, care must be taken in the back country as there are many unmarked hazards. Conditions at The Remarkables (80/100cm) are similar to Mount Lyford as they are warning about unmarked hazards in the back country. At Rainbow (20/55cm), Treble Cone (61/203cm) and Whakapapa (180/180cm) the advice is to stick to the main trails as they have been groomed to corduroy perfection, the sun is shining overhead so the conditions are perfect for practicing massive carving turns. Turoa (230/230cm) also has excellent conditions, they had 15cm of new snow yesterday and there is plenty of windblown powder off piste. Unfortunately there is a blizzard at Mount Dobson (100/115cm) today and this has prevented them from opening the resort, conditions will be amazing once the lifts start whisking people up the mountain.
CHILE
There are powder conditions in a few of the Chilean resorts this week due to snow over the weekend and last week. Portillo (150/240cm) has amazing conditions following last week. They are saying that another 75cm fell yesterday so it is one of the best powder days ever today. La Parva (100/200cm) had 10cm of new snow yesterday and they are now reporting powder conditions across the resort. The huge amount of snow over the last few days has reduced the number of lifts open but hopefully this will change over the next few days. At Chillan (0/300cm) there is plenty of snow on the upper slopes but unfortunately the lower slopes need a lot more. There is good news at El Colorado (100/150cm) and Valle Nevado (100/170cm) as snow is forecast today which will top up the already excellent conditions across the resorts. Antillanca remains closed today and Chapa Verde is yet top open.
ARGENTINA
Snow fell across Argentina this weekend which has improved the conditions in the 3 resorts we report on. At Cerro Catedral (20/280cm) there has been 70cm of snow this weekend on the upper slopes. The high winds are still in the area but they should subside after today, unfortunately the winds have affected the off piste and the great powder conditions have been blown away in most areas. Chapelco (109/260cm) has a great base now with fresh snow covering the packed pistes. Off piste conditions are windblown but hopefully with more snow on the way and slower winds this will improve during the week. The hard packed pistes at Las Lenas (40/250cm) have improved again with the new snow and these can only get better with more snow today and until Thursday.