The PlanetSKI Snow Report
Sunday 14th December
We hear about the current excellent early season conditions in the Alps from our reporters out on the slopes lower down this article, but first we turn our attentions to Canada.
PlanetSKI editor, James Cove, has made his first turns in Lake Louise in Alberta.
He’s at the start of a stay of around two months, visiting some of the finest resorts the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia have to offer.
It was a 6am start from Calgary where James is staying for a few days, and he hit the road to Banff.
Heading to Lake Louise, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
Heading to Lake Louise, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
Two of the town’s local resorts, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise, currently have pretty much the best snow in North America.
The resort has seen 30cm of snow in the last 48-hours, and 70cm over the past week.
It also have the most terrain open of anywhere in the country – 130 runs, 2 terrain parks and 12 lifts.
Lake Louise received a top up as the weekend began, so it was the obvious place to head to.
Heading to Lake Louise, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
The same thought had occurred to a few others.
Heading to Lake Louise, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
Up the mountain the early start and traffic queue was but a distant memory.
As were the crowds.
Lake Louise, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
View this post on Instagram
And here is some of that snow that James is talking about.
View this post on Instagram
Lake Louise has a ‘front side’ which is mainly groomed terrain.
Lake Louise, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
And a ‘back side’ where the best powder can be found.
Lake Louise, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
New for this season is Richardson’s Ridge and it opens later this week on Wednesday 17th December.
There are 200 acres of new beginner & intermediate terrain.
There are five new green and blue runs, along with some wide & naturally gladed terrain.
Richardson’s Ridge, Lake Louise, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
Richardson’s Ridge is the latest in a series of projects seen in Lake Louise over the past 5 years, including the addition of the Summit Quad, West Bowl, Juniper Express and the new Pipestone Express.
“These are some of the biggest investments in our history, all designed to give more terrain, more adventure, and unforgettable skiing & riding,” said the resort.
It is served by this lift which is undergoing its final tests.
View this post on Instagram
The next phase of development in the area involves opening up more terrain that would be for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
PlanetSKI is planning to be back on Wednesday for the opening of the area and to make some first turns.
Do check back…
Meanwhile, in the Alps PlanetSKI’s Simon Wilson reported from La Plagne yesterday (see below), and now he has crossed over to Les Arcs.
La Plagne on its opening weekend, Saturday 13th November. Image © PlanetSKI
“Over in Les Arcs it’s the same weather as La Plagne: blues skies and wall to wall sun,” said Simon.
“Temperatures a few degrees above freezing by day, a few below at night.
“Pistes in excellent condition above 2000meters, loads of snow around in the big bowl above Arc 2000.
“Like La Plagne, the off piste suffered badly from the rain
“Lower down it’s been cold enough to run the snow cannon and top up where we needed, so most of the resort is open.
“Aiguille Rouge not open to skiers today. Pedestrians only.
“One big improvement to the lift system here is an upgrade to Transarc.
“It’s now an eight-seater bubble with a brand new mid station.
“Much better!”
Further east in the Alps on Sunday is PlanetSKI’s Felix Milns, who is in Wengen in Switzerland:
View this post on Instagram
Saturday 13th December
It’s another fabulous day across most of the Alps today.
Many resorts are starting their season this weekend and there are now well over 250 resorts open.
It will remain sunny and clear over the weekend.
The weather is forecast to be mainly settled for the next few days with no significant snow in the forecast.
More snow would be welcome as the big November storms are a memory, though they have meant many pistes have good coverage if not soft snow.
Some of the low level resorts are looking a bit threadbare especially after the recent rain.
PlanetSKI’s Simon Wilson is in La Plagne in France for its opening weekend.
Weather:
- Excellent.
- Wall to wall sunshine
- Mild temperatures +2 max today after -2 overnight.
“Pistes generally in excellent condition after the huge dump in NW Alps at end of November,” said Simon.
“Above 2000m there is lovely soft piste snow, below 2000 a couple of crunchy spots, but you can ski right down in the trees towards the villages of Montchavin and Montalbert and the link to Les Arcs is open and in good condition.”
“Off piste suffered a lot after it rained right up to 2,300m here last weekend, but still some pockets of powder above that”.
La Plagne on its opening weekend, Saturday 13th December. Image © PlanetSKI
The star of the show in terms of the lift system is the new two stage gondola linking Plagne Bellecote with Roche de Mio and bypassing Belle Plagne.
The station hopes this will significantly lighten the bottlenecks and long queues that have plagued Bellecote at the busiest times of year.
La Plagne announced late this week that that the gondola up to the Live 3000 area (formerly La Plagne’s small glacier before it melted away) would not be running for at least a few days because of “technical difficulties”.
That’s a minor disappointment for the opening weekend visitors.
But it means that area will certainly be in good shape for Christmas, as long as the lift reopens.
View this post on Instagram
PlanetSKI’s chief reporter, Jane Peel, is in Tignes.
“What a stunning December Saturday in Tignes,” said Jane.
“Clear blue skies & sunshine, no wind, perfect snow and mild enough for an al fresco lunch.”
Tignes, Saturday 13th December. Image © PlanetSKI
After a full day’s skiing, Jane filed this snow report from the top of the Toviere gondola.
View this post on Instagram
PlanetSKI: Number 1 for digital ski news
Your digital platform for ski news, resort information, travel, equipment rental, sport, money saving deals and everything connected with snowsports – web site, social media & more.
The post The PlanetSKI Snow Report appeared first on PlanetSKI.
Leave a Reply