The Alps Snow Thread - Season 2014/2015

[Blessed Weather]

It’s November and for winter sports and mountain enthusiasts that means it’s time to start looking for early season snowfall and watching the advance of winter on resort webcams. In a good year, snowfall in November can start building the piste base for the coming season. Last year was mixed for the Alps; snow came late but reached impressive depths at height and for certain areas.

 

There are a number of key indicators being discussed in other threads (SAI, OPI, e-QBO, etc.) that suggest the coming 2014/15 season could be a good one. Let’s hope so and let’s hope snow and great conditions are shared equally around all resorts this year!!

 

And for those wondering, Julian (J10) has kindly given me the go-ahead to start this year’s thread. He will be joining us with his regular weather and conditions updates in due course.

 

So, to kick things off, here’s the skiing reports from the last couple of days from some of the high level glacier resorts (courtesy of Ski Club of GB)…

 

Austria - Hintertux (185cm) After recent snowfall their pistes are looking excellent and the off piste looks very appealing…. 15 lifts running and mostly sunny.

Switzerland - … beautiful sunny skies…  Zermatt (110cm) had recent 20cm snow reported… 12 lifts running and the pistes looking great.

France - Tignes (30cm) enjoyed another sunny day… 6 lifts in operation for those out on the slopes… the pistes are currently in a good state.

 

And the forecast? Well the weather is glorious across the Alps at the moment, but snow is forecast to set in by Tues 4^th Nov and according to the Ski Club of GB (using old GFS I believe) falls could be impressive on French and Swiss glaciers over the next 9 days, but the snow doesn’t get further east into Austria:

 

Saas Fee - 122cm forecast

Tignes - 52cm forecast

Stubai - 0cm forecast

Kitzsteinhorn - 0cm forecast

 

Today’s GFS (Parallel) does indicate heavy precipitation on the way for the French & Swiss Alps, particularly on Wed 5^th Nov. And with the freezing level forecast around 2,300m it could indeed be a good fall of snow for Saas Fee and Tignes. (GFS(P) seems to take the snow further east into Austria too).

 

GFS(P) 5th Nov:

 

And finally, today’s webcam shot from the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier:

 

Link for the Kitzsteinhorn 5 webcams: http://webtv.feratel.com/webtv/?bgcolor=707173&color1=ffffff&color3=ffffff&color4=ffffff&color5=8dc63f&design=960v2&c0=0&c2=0&lg=de&pg=01202657-CEC7-4FDB-8B07-9387A8707204&t=6&cURL=oPZknQQSLkNj9%2FAfvaLxSg%2BYOOMYo8OCR7UemOt7rbMQ1RnRsAkqTgCrv%2BmufDbYOAT0graxkN3SEGGcmzAdGWYhe2%2Fpv2RIqp%2B4nzd7bZxrwJfru8spvHU%2BFSu5mxCuR6GkiJH1NbSoGJToN8mi%2BSs2ZDTP2ClWbyscoMFOpX%2BcuLjM8PyAQ3d06qHIcnsJ

[J10]

Thanks for those comments Malcolm

 

I will be posting in here regularly through the season, but decided this year not to start too early, as you can get a bit Skied out by April.

 

A quick look at Snow forecast confirms the snow possible at higher slopes mid week, and I'll be keeping a close eye on those Tignes webcams to see if the forecasts come true. http://www.livecam360.com/webcams-360/1/montagne/

 

Cheers again for opening the thread, and hopefully all parts of the Alps, will be snowy as the Carinthia was last winter.

[frozencanals]

evening all,

 

We are heading to Salzburg for Christmas so hoping for some decent early snow fall in South Germany and Austria.

 

FC

[carinthian]

 

Thanks for those comments Malcolm

 

I will be posting in here regularly through the season, but decided this year not to start too early, as you can get a bit Skied out by April.

 

A quick look at Snow forecast confirms the snow possible at higher slopes mid week, and I'll be keeping a close eye on those Tignes webcams to see if the forecasts come true. http://www.livecam360.com/webcams-360/1/montagne/

 

Cheers again for opening the thread, and hopefully all parts of the Alps, will be snowy as the Carinthia was last winter.

Hi Julian,

Glad to see you will be sending your reports soon. We are due to open on 29th Novemeber. No pistes to prepare at the moment. Some snowfall last week but has melted away . We will soon need a drop in temperature and fresh snowfall in the next 14 days or we will struggle to start on time. At the moment we are likley to be in the warm sector of the low circulation.

C

Edited November 4, 2014 by J10

[Blessed Weather]

The forecast snowfall for this week looking even better than at the time of my opening post of the thread a couple of days ago. Today’s GFS 12z has the 850 hPa 0C isotherm on Wed 5^th and Thur 6^th Nov over the French and Swiss Alps and encroaching on the Tyrol region of Austria. As a consequence freezing levels are briefly lower so it's not just the glaciers resorts that will see snow. For example:

 

Val Thorens - 1700m overnight on Wed rising to 1950 Thurs.

Verbier - 1600m overnight on Wed rising to 1850 Thurs.

St. Anton - 1700m early Thurs and rising to 2150m.

 

Today’s model output:

 

GFS for 6^th Nov  Euro4 for 6^th Nov

Euro4 showing 48 hour cumulative snowfall up to noon Thurs 7th. It's difficult to be precise with the scale used, but it looks like decent accumulations at height.

 

Should be some lovely snowy webcams shots by this Thurs!

[Blessed Weather]

Extract from Accuweather's winter 2014/15 forecast, issued today:

 

Europe Winter Forecast: 'Fantastic' Ski Season for Alps; More Tranquil in UK

.....Another area that can expect more significant snowfall is the Alps, with the most impressive snowfall expected in the Swiss and Austrian Alps.

"Ski conditions will be fantastic for the 2014-2015 ski season, especially when compared to last year," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys.

The first significant snowstorm of the year has already occurred across the Swiss and Austrian Alps. This winter, an active storm track and cold air will promote frequent big snow events for the Pyrenees, Alps and the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula.

 

 

Let's hope they're right.

 

Full forecast http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/europe-winter-2014-2015-forecast-snow-cold/36777733

[J10]

The forecast snowfall for this week looking even better than at the time of my opening post of the thread a couple of days ago. Today’s GFS 12z has the 850 hPa 0C isotherm on Wed 5^th and Thur 6^th Nov over the French and Swiss Alps and encroaching on the Tyrol region of Austria. As a consequence freezing levels are briefly lower so it's not just the glaciers resorts that will see snow. For example:

 

Val Thorens - 1700m overnight on Wed rising to 1950 Thurs.

Verbier - 1600m overnight on Wed rising to 1850 Thurs.

St. Anton - 1700m early Thurs and rising to 2150m.

 

Today’s model output:

 

GFS for 6^th Nov GFS h850t850eu for 6Nov14.png Euro4 for 6^th Nov Euro4 14110500_0412 for 5Nov14.gif

Euro4 showing 48 hour cumulative snowfall up to noon Thurs 7th. It's difficult to be precise with the scale used, but it looks like decent accumulations at height. Euro4 14110612_0412 for 6Nov14.gif

 

Should be some lovely snowy webcams shots by this Thurs!

 

Just had a look at the webcams and some snow down to some quite low levels in France, with a dusting of snow down to Morzine town, with a blanket up at Avoriaz. http://www.avoriaz.com/en/discovering/interactive-tour/pictures-videos-and-webcam?tab=webcam [snow 5th November]

 

In Switzerland, some snow down to Wengen town.

  - Wengen and the BelleVue hotel link http://bellevue.roundshot.ch/ [snow on 5th Nov afternoon]

 

The snow at resort level will not last but may say as a base above 2000m or so.

Edited November 5, 2014 by J10

[jules216]

this is some snowfall,Matterhorn area

Edited November 5, 2014 by jules216

[jules216]

[Blessed Weather]

image.jpg

 

Hi jules216,

Nice pictures! It's good to see the Italian mountains are also in on this weeks snow!

BW.

[jules216]

there will be some serious problems with floods and landslides as some massive rainfall totals are expected also snow under 2000mts might thaw and contribute to more problems, some areas seeing over 400mm rainfall in 24hrs!

[Ravelin]

Some good views on the Alps webcams this morning, for instance this one taken from the Roche De Mio webcam above La Plagne...

 

https://forum.netweather.tv/gallery/image/20428-/

 

[stuboy]

Ah one of my favourite threads of the winter! I'm off to Passo Tonale the last week of January after a years break from the slopes of Europe. After the winter we had in the UK I can't wait for a fix of proper snow again! I've been following the Passo Tonale webcam, and the first snow has fallen over the last couple of days. So it's a step in the right direction!

 

Roll on January!

 

http://www.adamelloski.com/en/webcam/

Edited November 7, 2014 by stuboy

[Blessed Weather]

Ah one of my favourite threads of the winter! I'm off to Passo Tonale the last week of January after a years break from the slopes of Europe. After the winter we had in the UK I can't wait for a fix of proper snow again! I've been following the Passo Tonale webcam, and the first snow has fallen over the last couple of days. So it's a step in the right direction!

 

Hi stuboy. Passo Tonale certainly looks an interesting resort and with glacier skiing too! Not one I'd heard of before but one of those little gems that are so worth visiting. (For anyone wondering - south of Bormio over the border from SE Switzerland). Nice selection of webcams.

The weather forecast for the glacier at 3,016m look good for Mon through Weds next week with 60cm of snow possible and temps around -3c. The sun comes out but temps fall even further later next week to -7c as the trough impacting the UK introduces a cooler NW flow into the Italian Alps (according to today's GFS).

[Blessed Weather]

Just a quick look at the coming week's weather for the Alps and it's not a set-up that the piste teams will be wanting to see last much longer as the coming season approaches. The problem is the persistent trough over the UK which is resulting in a S to SW'ly flow for the mountains and (generally across Europe) bringing above average temperatures. Not much difference between the start and end of the week on today's GFS P 12z 850hPa charts:

 

Mon 10th Fri 14th  

 

The 'stuck' pattern is resulting in plenty of precipitation for the south western Alps (French, southern Swiss Alps & Italian Alps), but with freezing levels sticking around 2,500m (and higher the further east you go) it's only benefitting the very highest of slopes. The Euro4 chart below shows the snowfall accumulation for the 48 hours from today to Tues 11th Nov and clearly highlights where the snow is falling. The second chart from GFS suggests it will still be raining/snowing out to next Thurs 13th Nov. 

 

Euro4 48 hour snowfall GFS 13th Nov

[J10]

Indeed looking at the webcams the snow is rapidly thinning even at medium level resorts.

 

Admittedly not that unusual for this time of year.

[J10]

There has been an update from http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full

 

SNOW NEWS UPDATED 13 NOVEMBER 2014

 

INTRODUCTION The number of resorts open for snow sports in Europe is still limited but the recent fresh snowfall across the Alps has really improved the skiing that is available, and more snow is forecast over the coming days.

 

AUSTRIA Obergurgl (10/60cm) has joined the ranks of the open resorts in Austria. They opened on Thursday 13th November with 13 lifts operating, providing access to the well groomed runs. It was quite overcast in the resort and visibility was OK but nevertheless winter has arrived in Obergurgl. The Stubai Glacier (105cm) was previously closed on Monday due to severe wind but the wind has since subsided and the gates have reopened. Great skiing was also available in other Austrian destinations such as The Hintertux (0/185cm), Kaprun (10/150cm), Kaunertal (70/81cm), Pitztal (78/105cm) and Solden (10/100cm) on Thursday. The weather was mainly overcast in Austria on Thursday with a few patches of sun but over the next few days there is expected to be less cloud cover with more sunny intervals expected. It might still be worth taking a low light lens with you just to be sure.

 

FRANCE Tignes (0/40cm) received further fresh snowfall this week. 10cm landed on Wednesday 12th November then bright sunny skies returned for Thursday 13th, providing fantastic visibility to enjoy the great early season piste conditions up on the glacier.

 

SWITZERLAND There's been plenty of snowfall across Switzerland and there are a number of resorts set to open over the next few days. The Glacier up on Les Diablerets (50cm), in the Gstaad Mountain Rides area was open on Thursday with four lifts turning. 5cm of fresh snow was reported on Wednesday 12th November Saas Fee (270cm) has been closed at times recently due to adverse weather and unfortunately it was closed again on Thursday 13th November. It's not all bad news because this was due to heavy snowfall so as soon as the slopes are ready it'll make for fantastic skiing. The latest report for snowfall was approximately 45cm on Thursday Andermatt (20/300cm), Crans Montana (10cm), Davos (50cm), Klosters (55cm), Engelberg (32cm), Flims/Laax (30/120cm), Grimentz (40cm) and Zinal (40cm) are all scheduled to open over the course of the coming weekend providing the snow conditions are suitable.

 

ITALY The glacier skiing destinations of Cervinia (0/160cm), Passo Tonale (0/150cm) and Val Senales (2/205cm) are the only Italian resorts we report on that are currently open for skiing or boarding. The conditions on the higher slopes are very good, and the riding has been further enhanced by this week's fresh snowfall. All three of these resorts received fresh snow on 11th November, with 20-40cm of new snow reported.

 

EUROPEAN WEATHER OUTLOOK Fresh snowfall is forecast in Europe over the next week. The open resorts of Zermatt and Saas Fee in Switzerland should receive the greatest amount of snow, with over 50cm expected to land at mid-mountain level by the end of Friday 21st November. Cervinia in Italy, which is open for skiing including their links to Zermatt, is forecast a good amount of snow too. The majority of snow in the Alps should fall by Monday 17th, so this is going to be a snowy weekend France and other Italian resorts will not miss out on the snow, with 35-45cm of fresh snow likely at Tignes and Val d'Isere, Les Deux Alpes and La Grave in France, along with Alagna, Gressoney and Macugnaga in Italy. Tignes is the only one of these currently open for snowsports though. Val Senales and Passo Tonale in Italy, which are open now, could benefit from 10-25cm of fresh snow over the same period.Unfortunately the Austrian resorts will not get as much new snow as the other major European skiing locations, but they should not miss out completely.

Edited November 15, 2014 by J10

[Blessed Weather]

Good to see snow falling again this weekend. The webcams at bergfex.com are simply brilliant at being able to follow the weather and snow conditions develop on an hour by hour basis for virtually all resorts in the Alps. http://www.bergfex.com/oesterreich/

It’s the only site I’m aware of that gives you a full archive of all the webcam shots taken that day, and then back for 180 days! For example, here’s the weather and snow fall for yesterday, Saturday 15^th Nov, in Les Menuires at 1,850m in the 3 Vallees, France. The forecast was snow showers with freezing level falling from 2,250m during the day to 1,600m by Saturday night, captured superbly by the webcams:

 

08.00 and no snow 12.00 snow showers settling on the tops
17.00 settling nicely in the resort! Sunday 10.45 looking more like it! 

 

And the weather the week ahead? Well it starts off in the all too familiar pattern with rain/snow early in the week, then later on as high pressure noses in over Scandinavia the weather dries up as the flow switches from a southerly direction to an easterly direction and the sun comes out.  Freezing level around 1,600m at first, rising to 3,000m later in the week. But if ECM is correct hopefully falling again soon after.

 

ECM Mon 17th Nov S-S/W flow Fri 21st Nov E-N/E flow setting in?

We still await the first Alps-wide, down-to-lower-level dump of snow.

Edited November 16, 2014 by Blessed Weather

[johnholmes]

Yes in my area of interest, Wengen-Murren-Gridelwald, the higher levels keep having top ups but the lower areas it is not sticking. The picture shows the finish area for the Downhill/Combinedand Slalom course with the TV stand on the left and the temporary spectator stand being built on the right this morning.

 

 

and from just above the start gate

http://panocam.panomax.at/lauberhorn

 

from this you can also access the Mannlichen a major skiing area between Wengen and Grindelwald along with that above Grindelwald at First. Quite a difference in snow cover even though First is a shade higher than the other two.

 

This web shows Murren, about 5500ft I think, with the funicular out of the village visible. The other way for gret height is the cable car to Schilthorn. A run I have never dared to start from

http://www.bergfex.com/muerren-schilthorn/webcams/c5482/

 

http://www.swisspanorama.com/html/schilthorncam1.html

Edited November 16, 2014 by johnholmes

[J10]

Yes in my area of interest, Wengen-Murren-Gridelwald, the higher levels keep having top ups but the lower areas it is not sticking. The picture shows the finish area for the Downhill/Combinedand Slalom course with the TV stand on the left and the temporary spectator stand being built on the right this morning.

 

Lauberhorn finish area- 16nov14.png

 

and from just above the start gate

http://panocam.panomax.at/lauberhorn

 

from this you can also access the Mannlichen a major skiing area between Wengen and Grindelwald along with that above Grindelwald at First. Quite a difference in snow cover even though First is a shade higher than the other two.

 

This web shows Murren, about 5500ft I think, with the funicular out of the village visible. The other way for gret height is the cable car to Schilthorn. A run I have never dared to start from

http://www.bergfex.com/muerren-schilthorn/webcams/c5482/

 

http://www.swisspanorama.com/html/schilthorncam1.html

 

Those webcams are sickeningly beautiful.

 

At lower levels, as you say, the snow has not stuck as readily or has fallen as rain. Although the snow level did drop to quite low levels overnight for a time, but at those level, the snow is thawing quite quickly.

 

Wengen Resort Levels http://bellevue.roundshot.ch/ with overnight snow thawing as resort level, again beautiful though.

 

One pattern that seems to be emerging is that precipitation over the Alpine area has been plentiful just not enough has fallen as snow certainly as lower levels.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30072485 - with rainfall causing these very sad events.

Edited November 16, 2014 by J10

[J10]

Good to see snow falling again this weekend. The webcams at bergfex.com are simply brilliant at being able to follow the weather and snow conditions develop on an hour by hour basis for virtually all resorts in the Alps. http://www.bergfex.com/oesterreich/

 

Thanks for the update but particularly for that link - duly bookmarked.

[johnholmes]

this scn prt has a red dot above where part of the lower section of the downhill is run. It has a slope, over most of the part you can see of about 1 in 4 steepening to more than 1 in 3 in places. If you watch the race it is the fastest part of the course and a bit above the sweeping s bends prior to the near vertical drop into the finish area. 2 years ago one of the French skiers clocked a fraction over 100mph for a very short section in that area!

Me, 24 mph seems better, occasionally maybe 45-50mph!

 

 

[stuboy]

Looks like it has really fallen in Passo Tonale this weekend. When I looked on Friday the first dusting of snow had melted. Now white-out conditions today and looks like a fair bit has been dumped on the higher slopes. I will be interested to see the results once the cloud has lifted. Promising beginnings though...

 

http://www.adamelloski.com/en/webcam/

Edited November 17, 2014 by stuboy

[Blessed Weather]

For those heading for the Alps this coming season, you may be interested in the venues and dates for the FIS (International Ski Federation) Downhill Races - either to miss them and the crowds they attract, or on a more positive note, to "be there" and soak up the fantastic atmosphere!

Here's hoping none of the events need to be pulled this season through lack of snow!! 

 

DECEMBER

20 December 2014 12:15 Downhill | Men Val Gardena / Groeden (ITA)

20 December 2014 10:30 Downhill | Ladies Val d'Isere (FRA)

28 December 2014 11:45 Downhill | Men Santa Caterina Valfurva (ITA)

 

JANUARY

10 January 2015 11:30 Downhill | Ladies Bad Kleinkirchheim (AUT)

16 January 2015 10:30 Downhill | Men Wengen (SUI)

17 January 2015 12:30 Downhill | Men Wengen (SUI)

17 January 2015 10:30 Downhill | Ladies Cortina d Ampezzo (ITA)

24 January 2015 10:15 Downhill | Ladies St. Moritz (SUI)

24 January 2015 11:45 Downhill | Men Kitzbuehel (AUT)

 

FEBRUARY

21 February 2015 11:30 Downhill | Men Saalbach (AUT)

28 February 2015 11:45 Downhill | Men Garmisch Partenkirchen (GER)

28 February 2015 11:45 Downhill | Men Garmisch Partenkirchen (GER)

 

MARCH

07 March 2015 12:00 Downhill | Men Kvitfjell (NOR)

07 March 2015 10:45 Downhill | Ladies Garmisch Partenkirchen (GER)

18 March 2015 09:30 Downhill | Men Meribel (FRA)

18 March 2015 11:30 Downhill | Ladies Meribel (FRA)

[stuboy]

Looks like it has really fallen in Passo Tonale this weekend. When I looked on Friday the first dusting of snow had melted. Now white-out conditions today and looks like a fair bit has been dumped on the higher slopes. I will be interested to see the results once the cloud has lifted. Promising beginnings though...

 

http://www.adamelloski.com/en/webcam/

To follow up on this post today, the webcams are looking pretty good! I read they got a dumping of up to a metre on the glacier! Excellent.