The PlanetSKI Snow Report
Monday 23rd February
Stable conditions are forecast for the rest of the week in the Alps with the temperatures staying warm as we approach March.
It could start to get a bit slushy lower down on the south-facing slopes, but generally the conditions in the Alps are good for the last week of February.
The deepest snow is to be found in some French resorts that saw the best of the snow last week.
Many now have depths above average for the time of year.
Here was Tignes over the weekend:
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There are also good conditions in the western Swiss resorts, including Verbier and Crans-Montana.
Do scroll down to check out our reports from the past few days that cover Georgia, Scotland and the USA.
More to follow…
Sunday 22nd February
First we hear from Mike ‘the snow’ Richards who has been powder skiing in Bakhmaro in Georgia.
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In the Alps the weather has calmed down and warmed up after the huge recent storms pass.
There is plenty of sunshine across the Alps and some excellent February conditions.
The mild weather is set to continue this week with no significant snow in the forecast.
It is a similar situation in Scotland.
“The cold snap has finally ended,” said PlanetSKI’s Scotland reporter, Rod Frazer.
“We have a return to warmer south-westerly weather systems bringing much milder temperatures to the Highlands, which means we have some great spring snow conditions to enjoy.”
“These big swings in temperature are the norm for a Highland winter.”
Glenshee, Scotland. Image c/o Dianne & Rod Frazer
“On the upside, there has been such a build up of snow over the last month, specially on Cairngorm, that despite the current thaw conditions should be good for the foreseeable.
“Here’s hoping we have a return to cold temps in the not too distant future to ensure we have great skiing into Easter.”
Glenshee, Scotland. Image c/o Dianne & Rod Frazer
More to follow…
Saturday 21st February
The final storm of the latest cycle in the Alps has passed with the snowfall easing off in many places.
It has been full-on winter weather this half-term week with few, if any, relaxing lunches on the terrace of a mountain restaurant in the sun.
In the north west Alps it has snowed pretty much all week leaving as much as 2m of fresh snow in places.
“Many high French ski resorts including Alpe d’Huez, Tignes, La Rosière, Chamonix, Flaine and Avoriaz have seen at least 1.5m and, in some cases, almost certainly over 2m of snow at altitude in the last week,” said our resident snow expert, Fraser Wilkin from weathertoski.co.uk.
Some of the heaviest snow has been in Tignes in France where 2m has fallen.
“I had to clear the balcony twice on Thursday at the height of the latest storm,” said PlanetSKI reader, David Morgan, to us.
David’s balcony, Tignes. Image c/o David Morgan.
“Over two metres of snow fell in Tignes during one the busiest weeks (94.2% occupancy) of the season.
“High avalanche risk limited lift opening and restricted skiing, but despite the weather being less than kind, youngsters enjoyed playing in the snow.
“Next week French holidays continue – start of Paris fortnight – traffic delays expected.
“More settled and sunny weather expected with better conditions for skiing,” added David.
Tignes, France, Image c/o David Morgan.
Tignes, France, Image c/o David Morgan.
Once again people are urged to be extra cautious in the dangerous avalanche conditions, but it appears the warnings are falling on some deaf ears as the deaths and injuries in the Alps continue.
Around 100 people have died in avalanches so far this winter, which is well above the seasonal average for the time of year.
See the full details here: Yet more avalanche deaths in the Alps
The temperatures are forecast to warm up over the weekend and next week should be excellent as the sun makes a welcome appearance.
In the USA heavy snow is finally falling in parts of western USA.
It is a welcome sight after one of the worst winters in recent memory.
Many are hoping the second half of winter will be nothing like the first half.
Southern California is seeing the snow.
As too is Colorado.
Utah has also seen fresh snow.
The resort of Brian Head in southern Utah picked up 58cm in the last 24 hours and 86cm in the last 48 hours.
The resort claims 1.37m of new snow this week.
100% of the resort’s terrain is open with a 1.57m base.
The heavy falls in the USA have brought tragic consequences, with eight back country skiers perishing in an avalanche in California.
One person is missing presumed dead.
Six people were rescued.
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