Snow Report 26 March 2015 - Europe & Japan

With April just around the corner the final weeks for skiing and riding in Europe and Japan are approaching.

The smaller French and Italian ski stations begin to close in early April, while the larger ones finish up towards the end of that month. In Japan, most ski areas wind up lifts on the same weekend in May.

We detail when below. So get out there over the next six weeks or so for some bargain Spring skiing in the sun!

JAPAN

Dynaland 25.03.15 [Source: Dynaland FB page]

It was a sunny weekend for most places around Japan. With the last snow around the 14/15th March, conditions had become very spring-like with the freeze-thaw.

A dusting of snow arrived from Sunday into Monday, then 5-10cms fell across Japan into Tuesday as conditions cooled and became more wintery once again.

Into Wednesday there was around 20cm more across mainland Japan and Hokkaido. A return to blue skies today, however, and its looking like staying that way into next week.

Happo One and Niseko Grand Hirafu look like they lost almost a metre in the period since my last snow report post! Other ski areas saw less change to their upper slope snowdepths.

Happo One: 260cm@1400m, 140cm@850m
Nozawa Onsen: 435cm@1650m and 150cm@650m Closing 7th May
Akakura Kanko: 460cm Closing 7th May
Gala Yuzawa: 450cm Closing 7th May
Dynaland: 230cm
Zao Onsen: 240/150cm Closing 7th May
Niseko Grand Hirafu: 440/125cm Closing 7th May

FRANCE

There was some light snow across much of the French Alps on the weekend, although Chamonix got a much bigger boost with 20cm reported. A follow-up snowfall into Wednesday was welcome. Serre Chevalier got 10cm, and Val d'Isere 5cm.

There's still plenty of snow across the French Alps for some late Spring skiing. A little more snow is forecast for the northern resorts this week, before the chance of some heavier falls late in the weekend at Chamonix/Val d'Isere/Les Arcs.

Isola 2000: 175/125cm Closing 19th April
Serre Chevalier: 140cm@2800m/15cm@1400m Closing 19th April
Les Arcs: 145cm@3200m, 70cm@1600m Closing 25th April
Val Thorens: 195cm@3200m, 110cm@2300m Closing 10th May
Val d'Isere: 160cm@2500m, 90cm@1850m Closing 3rd May
Chamonix: 170cm@3275m, 96cm@1800m Closing 21st April

Monte Rosa 25.03.15 [Source: monterosa FB page]

ITALY

Italy saw some good snowfalls, 10-20cm, in the west over the weekend bringing good snow to Cervinia/Monte Rosa.

A little more snow today across the Italian Alps, then the forecasts are a little unclear about what's in store for the weekend with a weather system pushing across the Alps from the north.

Monte Rosa (Gressoney-la-Trinite): 240/100cm Closing 3rd May
Madesimo: 480/250/200cm Closing 12th April
Madonna di Campiglio: 185cm@2250m, 60cm@1500m Closing 12th April
Val Gardena: 100cm@2500m, 10cm@1400m Closing 12th April

Snow Report 14 March 2015 - Europe & Japan

Its Spring! What a wonderful season if you're lucky enough to be up in the mountains. With plentiful snow on the ground in Europe and Japan, the sunshine and longer days beckon. Fun!

JAPAN

Nozawa Onsen 13.03.15 [Source: Nozawa Onsen FB page]

It has been a gloriously snowy week across much of Japan with almost a metre of new snow falling on the peaks since Tuesday. And its still snowing this weekend.

But the sun has just started to peek through the clouds for the weekend visitors. Snow depths are at about their peak for the season and look splendid!

Some warm, sunny Spring days are in the forecast for the coming week, with the chance of ra*n later.

Happo One: 380cm@1400m, 230cm@850m
Nozawa Onsen: 445cm@1650m and 185cm@650m
Akakura Kanko: 470cm
Gala Yuzawa: 460cm
Dynaland: 250cm
Zao Onsen: 275/170cm
Niseko Grand Hirafu: 520/210cm

Val d'Isere 13.03.15 [Source: Val d'Isere FB page]

FRANCE

Spring has definitely sprung in the French Alps with softening conditions across the ski stations in the balmy days.

The sunny days are about to come to an end, however, with a return to snowy colder conditions soon.

Just what's needed to refresh the slopes and set up some great Spring skiing! Its been 10 days in places since the last snowfall.

Isola 2000: 150/100cm
Serre Chevalier: 120cm@2800m/20cm@1400m
Les Arcs: 150cm@3200m, 80cm@1600m
Val Thorens: 210cm@3200m, 125cm@2300m
Val d'Isere: 150cm@2500m, 98cm@1850m
Chamonix: 190cm@3275m, 105cm@1800m

ITALY

Madonna di Campiglio 11.03.15 [Source: Madonna FB page]

Spring skiing in Italy is the best! Sunshine, pasta and wine (or grappa if thats your style!).

But there are some ridiculously large amounts of snow being forecast for the Italian Alps in the coming days. So it will be interesting to see how that eventuates. Maybe put the sunscreen away until the powder has fallen!

Monte Rosa (Gressoney-la-Trinite): 180/6
0cm
Madesimo: 480/250/200cm
Madonna di Campiglio: 220cm@2250m, 90cm@1500m
Val Gardena: 100cm@2500m, 10cm@1400m