Having endured one of the quieter Februarys for snowfall in recent years (think winter season 2005/6), March is slowly making a snowy recovery. Feb did see snow return to the Alps, though March will be hoping for one its legendary spring dumps over the coming weeks.
France is looking in good condition, the slopes enjoyed a top up last week and there is about 5cm falling from Alpe d'Huez to Val Thorens. Having just spent a week in Les Trios Valleys, the pistes are in good condition thanks to snow cannons and decent grooming. Fast, hard-packed snow in the mornings and more forgiving sun-blushed slopes after lunch. Though avoid the busy routes back into resort as they get cut up by mid afternoon and there is virtually always a less used way back into town.
Italy is also starting the month reasonably well with around 5cm falling in a wide selection of resorts from the Milky Way's Sestriere and Sauze d'Oulx to Zermatt's ugly sister, Cervinia. Having seen 20cm fall at the beginning of last week this light snowfall will add to the great slopes.
North America is taking full advantage of the La Niña weather pattern off the east coast. Whistler once again boasts over half a metre of fresh B.C. pow this week, with Kicking Horse and benefitting from 32cm and double figure snowfall throughout the rest of Canada. The U.S. is also having a storming week with Killington, Steamboat and Aspen all set to receive 15cm+ of of our favourite white stuff.
For cruising pistes, sunshine fuelled après ski and fantastic chalets head to Europe's big resorts — Meribel, Val d', Val Thorens and St. Anton. For powder hound skiing head across the Atlantic to Whistler or Colorado for your fix.
The Snowman
_[_]_
( " )
'--( : )--'
( : )
""' - ... - '""