Happo One 29.12.16 - Happo Facebook |
A return to sunny days on the pistes for the European Alps. Meanwhile, in Japan the snow has been falling very nicely indeed and just in time for the end of year holidays.
JAPAN
There have been some great falls of snow across Japan over the last few days and this snowy weather pattern is set to continue.
The season is well under way and all areas are open now.
Snow returns tonight and continues on and off into the weekend, which brings some sunny spells for a great new year's skiing and riding on the slopes.
Conditions at my featured Japanese ski resorts:
Nozawa Onsen 29.12.16 - www.nozawaski.com/ |
Nozawa Onsen - 95cm at Yamabiko (1,407m), 30cm at Nagasaka (616m)
Hakuba (Happo One) - 80cm at top (Usagidaira), 20cm at bottom
Zao Onsen - 60cm at top, 5cm at base
Myoko Kogen - 100cm (Akakan)
FRANCE
Fine and sunny weather returned to the French Alps after last week's snowfall. A burst of snow, followed by a long run of sunny, mild weather has characterised the start to winter in France. Perhaps that trend will change in the new year.
Val Thorens 28.12.16 - Val Thorens Facebook |
More sun and no snow, at least for this weekend. Considerable snow is needed to get the most terrain open.
Conditions at my featured French ski stations are:
Val Thorens - 55cm@2300m, 30/30 lifts, 71/85 pistes
Val d'Isere - 30cm@1850m, 71/77 lifts, 129/167 pistes
Chamonix (Grands Montets) - 25cm@1972m
Isola 2000 - 5cm@2000m, 37 pistes
Serre Chevalier - 92cm@2100m, 51/62 lifts, 57/81 pistes
Les Arcs - 10cm@1600m, 43 lifts, 70 pistes
Val d'Allos - 30cm@1800m, 18/28 lifts, 24/63 pistes
Grand Tourmalet - 30cm@1800m, 16/30 lifts, 16/61 pistes
ITALY
Cervinia made the news last week for the wrong reasons - hundreds of skiers stuck on a cable car for hours.
Madonna di Campiglio 27.12.16 - Madonna DC Facebook |
More snow is needed in Italy for the lower altitude ski resorts, while the big ski areas with snowmaking are faring well.
Conditions at my featured Italian ski stations:
Madonna di Campiglio - 40cm@2250m, 0cm@1500m, 18/19 lifts, 28 runs
Madesimo - 20cm@1550m, 50cm@3000m,11/13 lifts, 18/32 runs
Monterosa - 10/150cm, 44/45 lifts, 63/93 runs
Val Gardena - 199/207 lifts open across Dolomiti Superski