Snow Report 1 December 2013 - Europe

Orelle 1 December 2013 [Source: Orelle FB page]

Its always incredibly exciting at the beginning of a new season - whats new on the slopes, when are the resorts opening, and how will the snow be this year?

While I don't have a crystal ball, I can share with you a little of whats going on ... and some of my excitement about the coming snow season!

It has been a nice, solid, snowy start to the season in the French and Italian Alps. The past week was fine and sunny, followed by a few centimetres of snow on Friday night into Saturday morning.

The mountain towns are looking nice and white and busy preparing for the busy christmas period. Expect lots of christmas lights and celebtations planned! There is 10 centimetres on the ground in the village at Chamonix, a good sign for a white christmas!

Grands Montets 1 December 2013 [ Source: Chamonix FB page]

It looks like another fine and sunny start to the week. In fact somewhat unseasonably warm, before it gets cooler again around Thursday and Friday.

A chance of snow arriving next weekend. By then it will be welcome and much needed so that the lower resorts can keep their return pistes open.

Here is the current status and snow depth at selected French and Italian ski resorts:

Val Thorens - OPEN - There is 70cms in Val Thorens village (2300m) and more than 110cms on the peaks (3200m). The link from Orelle opened this weekend. The links to Les Menuires and Meribel aren't open yet as these two resorts, part of 3 Vallees, don't open until 7th December. Val Thorens has 18 lifts open.

Val D'Isere - OPEN, 50cms@1850m, 130cms@2500m, 26 of 46 lifts running this weekend.

Megeve - CLOSED, opening 21st December
Les Contamines - CLOSED, opening 20th December

Chamonix (Grands Montets) - OPEN, the Grands Montets has opened a week earlier than planned, with five of the nine lifts spinning this weekend. 50cms@1972m, 150cms above 2765m.

Monte Rosa 30 November 2013 [Source: Monte Rosa FB page]

Chamonix (Brevent/Flegere) - CLOSED,  partial opening 14th December, total 21st December

Monte Rosa - OPEN, 24 lifts running this weekend , 70cms/100cms

Piani Di Bobbio - OPEN, with six lifts running and about half a metre of snow.

Valchiavenna - OPEN, 20cms in the village of Madesimo (1550m) to 80cms on the summit (2900m)

St Moritz (Corvatsch) - OPEN, 4 lifts running

Madonna di Campoglio - OPEN, opened a week earlier than planned with 35cms@1500m and 60cms@2250m

Val Gardena - CLOSED, opening 7th December, 15cms in town and 40cms up the mountain.