Though the snow gods seem to be spending the weekend in Whistler, from the middle of next week we can expect upwards of 50cm of snow to fall across large parts on the Alps in a matter of days — making those mid-December trips suddenly rather appealing.

With Val Thorens opening earlier this week and Val d'Isere expecting to open tomorrow, the forthcoming snow is great news. The weekend will see sunshine for those heading out for some glacier skiing and from Wednesday next week until Saturday — which is as far as my snow ball can see — Val d'Isere is expecting 37cm of fresh powder, with Val Thorens boasting 40cm of fresh snow.

Meribel (29cm), Courchevel (25cm), Les Arcs (25cm), La Plagne (26cm) and Alpe d'Huez (29cm) are also forecast fresh snow from the middle of next week and combining the cold temperatures and the world class snow-making facilities they boast, the slopes should be in good shape come the holiday season.

Heading across the border into Switzerland and the weather is looking similar, with a sunny, but cold, weekend followed by good snowfall falling from mid week through until Saturday night. Zermatt's current forecast is boasting 70cm over the four days mentioned, with Saas Fee hoping to boast even more snow with a whopping 73cm of fresh stuff. Grimentz and Zinal are expecting some good snowfall, with 42cm of powder on the radar. The big resorts of Verbier and St. Moritz are also expecting over 20cm of snow toward next weekend.

Italy is also having some good snow fortune, with Cervinia benefitting from being located on the other side of the Matterhorn to Zermatt; the family-friendly resort will be filled with smiles if the expected 58cm of snow arrives, following on from the huge dumps it enjoyed earlier in the month. The Milky Way's resort of Sestriere is boasting a nice 53cm of snowfall toward the end of next week, with the nearby Sauze d'Oulx expecting 49cm of snow.

Canada, not to be left out of this snow-filled equation, is expecting another whopping weekend of snow, with huge dumps starting tonight and carrying on until early next week, before the snow gods appear to switch continents. Whistler's current forecast is a huge 91cm of snow, and with a couple of our team heading out to Kicking Horse and Banff this weekend, they'll be pleased to hear that 42cm and 10cm of fresh snow are expected respectively.

This winter is beginning to remind me of three years ago, where it barely snowed for the last couple of weeks in November and on my arrival to Tignes, during the second week of December, nearly 2 metres of fresh powder fell in just three days! The snow gods may have spent their first few weeks of winter enjoying the friendly locals of British Columbia, but they are definitely coming back to Europe just in time for the season — snow where did I leave me woolly gloves and beanie?

The Snowman

© Igluski.com

With between 20cm and 50cm falling in a huge number of resorts over the next three days, there is plenty of snow to shout about and Austria is back among the big hitters this week.

Lech in the Arlberg region is set for 53cm of snow, with the neighbouring resorts of St. Anton and St. Christoph forecast, a more than respectful, 48cm of snow. The high-altitude party-town of Ischgl is set for 45cm of powder and the likes of Maria Alm (45cm), Kuhtai (43cm), Saalbach (41cm) and Kitzbuhel (41cm) are also expecting some base-building snow this week. It doesn't stop there either with 38cm in Soll, 37 in Zell am See & Kaprun and similar levels of snow throughout the country.

The Swiss may have been at the receiving end of some negative press from the BBC this morning, but they are also due some impressive snowfall after a weekend of snow. Flims-Laax and Klosters are both forecast 46cm of snow, Champery (in the Portes du Soleil) and Davos are set for 44cm of white stuff, while Engelberg and Verbier are due 33cm of fresh snow. Crans Montana and Nendaz are forecast 31cm in the next 72 hours, with Grimentz, Zinal and St. Moritz all expecting around 25cm of snow.

^{Meribel this morning}

Britain's favourite ski destination, France, is also expecting some great snowfall over the next few days, after a quite pleasing transformation over the weekend. Avoriaz, Morzine and Megeve should all be on the receiving end of 46cm of fresh snow, with Les Gets (44cm), Chatel (43cm) and Chamonix (33cm), not far behind. The southern French Alps are looking good with 39cm forecast in Vaujany and 32cm falling in the neighbouring Alpe d'Huez — our in resort reporter, Masterclass's Stuart, emailed us this morning to say the Alpe d'Huez will now be opening on Thursday due to the current forecast and snowfall!

The Tarantaise Valley is also benefitting from the current snow storm hitting France. Meribel and Courchevel are both expecting 30cm of snowfall, with 24cm forecast in Europe's highest resort, Val Thorens. La Rosiere, which sits across the valley from Les Arcs, is expecting 33cm of snow, while Les Arcs and La Plagne are forecast 29cm and 27cm of the wonderful white stuff, respectively. At the far end of the valley, Tignes (see right) is expecting another 20cm of snow, to go with the reported 20cm that fell last night, and Val d'Isere should see around 18cm of snow over the coming days.

With the snow falling across the Alps and the general temperature in resort now reaching below the magic -5°c mark, the snowmaking facilities can now kick into gear. Over the next two or three weeks, expect to see Europe's resorts take on that familiar white glow, while the slopes are readied for the holiday season.

The Snowman

© Igluski.com

France has has a superb week on the snow front, so we will concentrate on the larger ski areas. In The Three Valleys, Val Thorens has a metre base at the bottom, in Espace Killy, Val d'Isere is not far behind. Whilst, in the Paradiski area, La Plagne & Avoriaz (Portes Du Soleil) are also boasting a metre at the top.


^{Val Thorens this morning}

In Switzerland, some resorts have had over a metre in one day. Saas Fee boasts over two metres on top, with Zermatt only just under that.

For Austria, in the Arlberg ski area, St Anton boasts over a metre. Lot of resorts here are looking forward to a nice 10cm top-up of snow next week.

This has been without doubt the best week Europe had had for snow this season. With another top-up of white powder next week and the resorts reporting great conditions, Christmas and New Year is looking great.

The Snowman's Helper.

Following a week that has seen around a metre of snowfall falling from the Three Valleys, to the Portes du Soleil and back down to Alpe d'Huez, the snow storm is begging to slow. The majority of snow due to fall over the weekend is expected today, with a dusting on Saturday and Sunday, then beginning again on Christmas Eve — if the long term weather forecasts are to be believed.

France is still making the most of the weather on offer with Val d'Isere and Tignes are forecast 43cm (36cm today) and 47cm respectively (37cm today). Further along the Tarantaise Valley, Meribel is forecast 51cm (39cm today) and Courchevel should receive around 56cm — with a fantastic 41cm today alone. The aforementioned Alpe d'Huez is forecast 42cm today and over half a metre by the weekend. The biggest snowfall in France over the weekend seems to be reserved for the Portes du Soleil, with Avoriaz expecting 77cm and Morzine boasting 81cm in three days.

Switzerland is following the same pattern, with good snowfall across the weekend, most of which is falling today. Verbier is forecast 62cm, ideal for some early season powder, Zermatt should see around 41cm of fresh snow as will Saas Fee. St. Moritz is benefitting from 17cm today, with more over the weekend (21cm in total), and Klosters boasts 33cm, 20cm of which is forecast for today.

Austria is also getting in on the act over the weekend, adding that white Christmas feel to its resorts. St. Anton, Lech and Ischgl are all set for around 34cm of fresh snow, with today seeing the biggest dump. The charming resort of Kitzbuhel is forecast 29cm of fresh snow, adding to its already romantic feel at this time of year.

Italy is set for some cracking conditions early next week as a snow storm kicks fully into gear over the weekend. On the Italian side of Mt. Blanc, Courmayeur is boasting 73cm of fresh powder, while the Matterhorn's Cervinia should see around 52cm of fresh snow. The ever popular Milky Way will also get pre-Christmas covering, with around 20cm of snow expected in the region.

North America benefitted massively from some awesome early season snow, but while Europe is gaining most of Mother Nature's most important weather, there is also a little left for the other side of the Atlantic. Whistler tops-up a bumper start to the season with 14cm of snow over the weekend, while Banff and Lake Louise are forecast 8cm and 11cm, respectively. Heading south of the border and Jackson Hole should get a light dusting today, while heading north once again, and Alaska's resort of Alyeska boasts a huge 92cm of snow over the next 5 days.

For me, Christmas has come early.

The Snowman

© Igluski.com

Christmas is around the corner, and the snow is still falling from Alpe d'Huez to Zermatt. The Alps are set for a sunny day, filled with blues skies and Christmas spirit, the last two weeks of snowfall will make for a truly glistening winter wonderland.

All our favourite resorts in France, so Val d'Isere, Meribel, Courchevel, Les Arcs and La Plagne, are covered in white stuff and the forecast for the next five days is sunshine, sunshine and more sunshine. There is also a sneaky little 2cm of snow, along with extra cold temperatures to keep the resorts looking at their most beautiful best.

Heading to Austria and it will be snowing, I suppose that's rather fitting as most of our Christmas traditions — think Santa and advent calendars— come from the German speaking parts of Europe. St. Anton is set for 25cm of snow, of which 21cm is expected today. There is also good snowfall expected in Lech and Ischgl with 26cm forecast before Christmas day.

Switzerland is also set for a sunny Christmas day, which will be a pleasant piece of news for locals in resorts like Verbier, where there has been too much snow. The resort is currently only partly open, and children are being advised to play indoors due to the level of snow on trees and roofs. The resort's staff are working like mad to clear as much snow as possible, to ensure a safe, enjoyable holiday. With a bluebird powder day, on top of 2m of fresh snow on offer for Christmas day, anyone lucky enough to be in Verbier won't need anything else for Christmas!

Heading across the Atlantic and the snow has returned once again. Following an almost record breaking November and early December, Whistler is set for half a metre of snow over the weekend, with light snow expected in Banff and Colorado.

So, as Noddy Holder would say:

So here it is merry Christmas,
Everybody's having fun.

The Snowman

© Igluski.com

Across in Switzerland, Verbier continues to keep visitors happy with a solid 210cm of snow depth recorded on the upper slopes, with 26cm of snow due today & over the weekend. The stunning winter-wonderland resorts of Wengen & Grindlewald are seeing 20cm of snow today and tomorrow, with more snow predicted early next week keeping the groomers in good shape. Further south, deep in the Valais canton of Switzerland, the resort of Saas Fee (known as the 'Pearl of the Alps') is predicted a mixture of snow and bluebird days over the next week — plenty of fun to be had if you are heading here with an awesome 329cm snow base depth at 3500m.

The snow in Austria is also continuing to treat visitors. The Arlberg ski area — home to St Anton and Lech — is due at least another foot of powder. It just keeps on falling in waves of big dumps! Anyone skiing in Mayrhofen over the next week will be greeted with 39cm of fresh snow falling today and tomorrow. Obergurgl is due up to 50cms of the finest Tyrolean powder between now and Tuesday on higher ground.

Conditions across Italy continue to steadily improve as the season progresses. Cervinia, famously situated under the Matterhorn, has fantastic upper depths of 250cm - with another 18cm of snow forecast for today, with more snow being forecast into next week. Anyone heading out to Courmayeur (see pic, right) will be greeted with 30cm of fresh snow due today, with even more snow continuing to fall well into next week — it would be well worth a day trip through the Mont Blanc tunnel to explore Chamonix (on the French side of Mont Blanc), where snow conditions are some of the best in the Alps - an astonishing 330cm of snow depth can be found on the upper slopes of the Grand Montets with another 50cm falling today. Across in the Dolomites, expect amazing conditions next week with another 31cm forecast for Selva.

With all this snow lurking around, Can things possibly get any better?!

By James Turner

Image via: chamonet.com

Whistler, is once again, taking the plaudits with a wonderful 63cm of British Columbian powder for the rest of the week, though the best of the rest is back in snowy Europe.

The season has well and truly kicked into gear in Austria with a huge dump over the next few days. Saalbach & Hinterglemm boast a whopping 44cm of snow, with Lech St. Anton and Zell am See receiving around 41cm of fresh snow. Bad Gastein is set for nearly 40cm of fresh powder too this week, as are Ischgl (40cm), Kitzbuhel (38cm) and Mayrhofen (38cm).

Switzerland is also set for some cracking snowfall over the next five days, with the Graubünden region set to boast the heaviest falls. Flims Laax leads the way with 42cm and not far behind are the resorts of Davos & Klosters with 41cm of fresh pow. Lenzerheide and the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil, Torgon & Champery, are also set for between 38-40cm of snow.

Heading over to British skiers' favourite destination, France, and the snow continues to fall. Once again the Portes du Soleil resorts of Morzine and Avoriaz lead the way with 39cm expected to fall on the five day forecast, with Les Gets getting around 36cm of snow. The nearby resort of Flaine, set in Le Grand Massif ski area, is due for around 38cm of powder. Alpe d'Huez is also keeping up with the good early season conditions by adding 27cm of fresh, white powder to its slopes.

The Tarantaise Valley, also know as Surrey-on-Ski, is set for more snow this week too. Courchevel and Meribel are forecast around 20cm of snow, whereas the higher Three Valleys resort of Val Thorens is only expecting 16cm. Les Arcs should see around 21cm in the next few days, while the neighbouring resort of La Plagne should benefit from around 19cm of fresh snow. Heading further up the valley and into the Espace Killy, Val d'Isere's forecast show 15cm of fresh snow on the horizon, with Tignes getting slightly more, at 17cm of fresh snow.

There's also fresh snow arriving in Italy, with Selva boasting 26cm of freshies and Arabba set for 23cm of snow. Cervinia should also benefit from the current storm, with 16cm set to fall in the next few days, and the Milky Way is set for a light dusting as the week goes on.

It's also snowing in North America, but that's not nearly as exciting as the new snow across the Channel.

The Snowman

© Igluski.com

Despite one or two logistical problems, and the Daily Mail running stories of Brits 'trapped' in the snow — when in reality they were merely forced to stay inside their 5 star hotels and luxury chalets in Zermatt overnight — the snow is great news for the mountains.

Tree-lined skiing is coming into its own at the moment, with Les Gets, Serre Chevalier and Grimentz all offering somewhere fun to play in the snow. As the snow starts to calm the Security des Piste will be blasting the back-country back into a safer environment and the piste bashers will be out in force creating perfectly groomed, deep, runs across the Alps.

The snow is set to slow down across France over the next 5 days, with only a light dusting of around 5cm or so falling. Meribel currently boasting 211cm on the slopes, whereas Val d'Isere is boasting around 240cm, as 340cm has fallen this season already. The Paradiski, Portes du Soleil, three Valleys, Espace Killy, Alpe d'Huez and Les Deux Alpes will be offering incredible skiing as the sun attempts to come out tomorrow and Sunday.

Austria, on the other hand, is continuing to be covered in white stuff, the next five days will see around 56cm falling in St. Anton, 71cm in Maria Alm, 63cm in Saalbach and Hinterglemm and 56cm in Ischgl. Essentially upwards of half a metre is falling pretty much everywhere even in resorts I've never even heard of, such as Fulpmes!

Switzerland is a similar story with 55cm forecast in Flims Laax, 53cm in Davos, 52cm in Lenzerheide and 33cm in Engelberg. Italy is getting a slightly calmer dump of snow with around 25cm due to fall in Arabba, Madesimo, Corvara and Cortina and there is light snowfall across North America.

Last year's snowfall broke the wrong kind of records, but resorts such as Meribel have already eclipsed the entire sum of last winter's snow and it's only the 6th January. Next week in the Tarantaise it will be bluebird days, incredible snow and pretty tetchy, yet undoubtedly tempting, off-piste. We all prayed and the snow gods answered, now for a few days of sun to make the most of Andrea's gifts.

The Snowman

© Igluski.com

Another week of sunshine means a week of bluebird days, cruising on the perfectly kept pistes. It also means that the resorts' mountain experts can work on improving the safety of the mountain by blasting any unsafe snow-packs off piste, while the rest of the mountains will start to form a nice sold base as temperatures remain low.

There is some good news for North America where the snow is again falling and resorts can look to catch up the great conditions currently on offer in Whistler. Saying that, Whistler is leading the way in the snow front with 37cm of fresh snow set to arrive by the beginning of next week, and another Canadian resort, Kimberley isn't too far away with 36cm on the radar. Panorama and Kicking Horse are expecting around 23cm of snow, with Fernie, Silver Star and Tremblant all forecast around 20cm.

In the good old US of A, Killington and Stowe, on the east coast is set for around 14cm of snow, while Colorado's Crested Butte, Aspen and Beaver Creek are set for a light 6/7cm dusting over the weekend.

Heading back to Europe, where the sun is making for incredible skiing conditions to go with the masses of snow — there is a little bit of fresh snow arriving over the next few days. Austria is getting a light covering with around 5cm falling in Kitzbuhel, Saalbach, Soll and Bad Gastein. Finland is set for more snow with 23cm forecast in Levi and 20cm in Yllas and the Swedish resort of Åre is forecast 19cm of snow. Sierra Nevada in Spain is set for the biggest dump of the weekend with 73cm of snow on the radar over the next five days — a welcome sight I'm sure!

The main European resorts won't be looking at much but sunshine and cold weather, but with huge snow depths, you are looking at the perfect conditions to cruising corduroy pistes and enjoying a cheeky vin chaud, or elongated lunch on a mountain terrace. The aforementioned St. Anton is boasting up to 520cm of snow, while La Plagne is up at 315cm and Les Arcs at 297cm. Alpe d'Huez's snow record show 290cm of snow, while the Three Valleys offers between 216cm and 245cm on its upper slopes. The ever popular Espace Killy shows 208cm in record, but pictures in resort show snow in the villages closer to 3m, so take it as you will.

Overall the conditions look great, the snow should easily keep for a few days and maybe some more will arrive over the next couple of weeks. Either way, unlike last winter, it's looking like a great year to strap on your skis and make the most of the mountains.

The Snowman

© Igluski.com

The snow is making its way back to the Alps after a couple weeks of sunshine, with a reasonable amount of snow forecast to begin on Thursday, following a few more days of sunshine. France appears to be boasting the biggest dumps in Europe, with Morzine and Avoriaz expecting 43cm of snow in just 48 hours, at the end of the week. Meribel and Courchevel are again benefitting from some decent snow with 24cm on the radar.

Les Arcs and La Plagne should see around 23cm of fresh snow falling on Thursday and Friday, with nearby La Rosiere expecting around 28cm of snow. Further up the Tarantaise Valley and heading to the Espace Killy and the forecast is for 16cm in Val d'Isere and 18cm in Tignes. Alpe d'Huez is another resort expecting around 24cm of snow and Les Deux Alpes is forecast 22cm of fresh powder.

Switzerland is also in for some great snow before the weekend, and like France will remain sunny for the next couple of days. Thursday and Friday a combined 37cm of snow is forecast in Flims Laax, 36cm in Engelberg and 35cm in Les Diablerets. Crans Montana is forecast around 29cm to top up its slopes while Verbier, Lauterbrunnen, Murren, Wengen and Grindelwald are all forecast around 28cm of fresh snow.

Austria is also in for some good snow, following exactly the same pattern with sunshine up until Thursday, when Ullr's finest creation is due to hit the slopes. St. Anton should see around 23cm of snow, taking snow depths over the 6m mark! Lech boasts 26cm and Ischgl is expecting around 22cm. Mayrhofen's slopes are also expecting some snow, with 23cm on the radar and the stunning village of Kitzbuhel should see around 25cm of snow arriving before this weekends world cup race on the famous Hahnenkamm — well worth checking out on this week's Ski Sunday.

There is also snow forecast in Italy, though a little lighter, with around 17cm in Cervinia, 12cm expected in Arabba and Selva and 6cm in Sauze d'Oulx and Sestriere.

North America is also well and truly back into the snow gods' good books, with a whopping 99cm forecast in Mt. Hood and 92cm in Whistler. Canada is continuing on with last week's decent snowfall as 55cm is forecast in Kimberley, 53cm in Kicking Horse and 46cm in Fernie. There is also around 25cm expected in Banff and Lake Louise.

Heading stateside and Jackson Hole should see 52cm falling, with the first flakes arriving today and Sun Valley should see 35cm of snow. Steamboat is forecast a respectful 28cm of snow, Squaw Valley has 26cm of California powder on its way and Aspen should see around 26cm on snow in the next few days.

All in all we are looking at another good week in the mountains and if the long range forecasts are to be believed the next dump in Europe should last for around four days, so all through the weekend.

Are we looking at a record breaking winter? Could we surpass the incredible snow of '99? We'll have to wait and see.

The Snowman

© Igluski.com