For snowsports enthusiasts in the UK, the winter season got underway with the ski show last weekend and the UK's most prestigious competition gets underway with the Freeze Festival today.
First up is the Battle of Britain, where you expect the likes of Billy Morgan to be throwing down double back-flips and for Jamie Nicholls to get his double corks dialled in for tomorrow. After that we have the international Freestyle Ski Big Air this afternoon, with the likes of Jossi Wells on show, before tomorrow's headline event, the FIS World Cup Snowboard Big Air.
So, with the Freeze getting us into the winter mood, you'll all be glad to hear it's still snowing in the Alps. Switzerland is taking the lion's share with over 30cm of snowfall across the weekend, but there is also good snowfall in France, Italy and Austria, and of course, Whistler.
The Swiss resorts are having a fantastic start to the winter, with the main resorts due to open next month and glacier skiing already available, this weekend is sure to offer some early season skiers with great conditions. Saas Fee has been forecast a whopping 39cm of snow, which is incredible for October, with Zermatt pretty close behind with a huge 36cm of fresh powder.
The French glaciers are also coming into their own this week. Les Deux Alpes has an impressive 29cm on its way and the Espace Killy's Val d'Isere and Tignes are expecting 24cm of early season snow. The Three Valleys resort of Val Thorens is expecting 16cm this weekend, though could boast up to 40cm by next Friday! Those mid-November opening dates are looking pretty good right now!
Italy is benefitting from the great snow hitting Switzerland, as on the other side of the Matterhorn, Cervinia should boast 31cm of snow over the next few days. Perfect for a cheeky early Club Med if you ask me.
Austria has been enjoying a cracking start to the season with several 20cm+ forecasts in recent weeks, though this week is not as impressive, the 8-10cm forecast in Kaprun, Hintertux and the Stubai glacier will be welcome. There should also be snow hitting the Arlberg region, with St. Anton due a dusting toward the end of next week.
As for North America, Whistler appears to be picking up where it left off last winter, having seen some great October snowfall already, there is 39cm forecast for the coming week. Banff should also be getting a top up of 10cm or so, and is already looking good (see above, photo courtesy of SkiBig3.com). We should also see a light dusting across Colorado and the Lake Tahoe resorts toward the end of next week.
So, it's time to get that early season trip booked, your skis or board into the shop for a service and to dig your ski gear out of the loft. The snow is arriving and it's almost time to get those first runs of the winter in.
Written by Stephen Adam
© Igluski