As temperatures drop in the Alps, the snowline has fallen in many resorts. Over the weekend there were lots of photos on social media as resorts became snowier again. Temperatures have been higher than usual for this time of year, but it is still early in December, the snow will come. All the Alps needs is a good couple days of snow and then we will be wondering what we were worrying about. Another 10-20cm of snow should be on its way this week in some hotspots in the Alps.France
Skiing is limited to the higher terrain, Tignes and Val Thorens offer good skiing. With the drop in temperatures the lake has frozen over in Tignes this weekend and most resorts received a sprinkling of snow. Some resorts had to delay their opening, so ski areas set to open this weekend are: Avoriaz, Chamonix, Courchevel, Flaine, La Plagne, Les Arcs, and Morzine.
Frozen lake at Tignes on Sunday 6th
Morzine on Tuesday 9th December
Some of the Iglu team were in Val Thorens this week for the opening of the new Club Med Sensations hotel. Take a look at the stunning conditions in VT
Much more snow in the French Pyrenees compared to their northern neighbours. Grand Tourmalet received 30-40cm of fresh snow, now they have a 50cm base up top and 20cm below. Saint-Lary has got about a foot of freshies and Cauterets has a base of 20cm of up top and 10cm below. Resorts are hoping to open this weekend.
Saint - Lary on Tuesday 9th December
Austria
As temperatures dropped towards the end of the week, resorts were able to fire up the snow cannons. For ski-able areas you still have to head high towards the glacier resorts. The best of the snow was in Obergurgl with 10cm of fresh snow reported. From Wednesday 10th December, Kitzbühel will be operating the Hahnenkamm cable car every day for the season.
Fresh snow in Obergurgl
Switzerland
Zermatt still has the most open terrain with 179 km for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy. Zermatt and Saas Fee have been amongst the luckiest resorts in the Alps with no issues with the amount of snow so far this season. Over 250 Santa’s took over the slopes of Verbier at the weekend to celebrate the opening of the season:
St Moritz celebrated 150 years of winter tourism this weekend. Our friends at Planet Ski were in resort for the celebrations and they have a snow report straight from the slopes:
Bulgaria
There are still no resorts open in Bulgaria yet, but with the recent snowfall and more on its way this week (over 30cms predicted in Pamporovo) the ski resorts of Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo are opening on Saturday.
Bansko - Monday 8th
Andorra
With 15cm of snow over the last few days, the Grandvalira ski area opened 120 km last weekend. The bottom of the mountains at Soldeu is getting a great covering:
Switzerland
Zermatt still has the most open terrain with 179 km for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy. Zermatt and Saas Fee have been amongst the luckiest resorts in the Alps with no issues with the amount of snow so far this season. Over 250 Santa’s took over the slopes of Verbier at the weekend to celebrate the opening of the season:
St Moritz celebrated 150 years of winter tourism this weekend. Our friends at Planet Ski were in resort for the celebrations and they have a snow report straight from the slopes:
Bulgaria
There are still no resorts open in Bulgaria yet, but with the recent snowfall and more on its way this week (over 30cms predicted in Pamporovo) the ski resorts of Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo are opening on Saturday.
Bansko - Monday 8th
Andorra
With 15cm of snow over the last few days, the Grandvalira ski area opened 120 km last weekend. The bottom of the mountains at Soldeu is getting a great covering:
