15.10.15

Snow Report 15 October 2015 - Europe & Japan


With the Southern Hemisphere ski and boarding season wrapping up (although there are still some options in New Zealand if you're super keen!), its time to look forward to the coming Northern Hemisphere season which begins at the end of 2015 and runs into 2016.

Its at this time that the ski resorts across Europe, North America and Northern Asia begin to get things ready, and get their social media and marketing firing. Early pictures of snowfalls are obligatory ... so I've shared some with you!

Val Thorens 14.10.15 [Source: Val Thorens FB page]
Opening dates are still some way off. November usually sees some high-altitude resorts get started, but mid-December is more typical. Depending on the season, conditions can be quite marginal with limited skiing well into December some years.

My reports focus on Japan, France and Italy, as thats where I've skied before. If you're planning your trips or already booked, you might be interested in reading some of my previous trip reports. They are:

Skiing in Central Japan 2011 Part 1 and Part 2 
Ski Japan 2012 - Snow, Onsen, Sushi Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 
Ski Japan 2013 - Powder, Onsen, Sake Part 1 and Part 2 
Ski France and Italy 2013-14 Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3
Monte Rosa 14.10.15 [Source: Monte Rosa Fb page]

Happy planning!

So what snow have we had so far in the pre-season?

There have been some dustings above 2500m in France and the Northern Italian Alps in October, but this week is the first serious snowfall down to lower levels.

There was a dusting in mainland Japan and Hokkaido at the beginning of October but not a lot since.

The week ahead? Tonight and tomorrow should provide further snowfalls in the French Alps down to village level at Chamonix and Trois Vallees.

Les Arcs 14.10.15 [Source: Les Arcs FB page]
But the Italian Alps could see some big dumps over the next few days, maybe more than half a metre at places like Monte Rosa and Madesimo.

In Japan, it is mainly fine, sunny and warm through to this weekend with some spots of rain.

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