Skifield Planned Opening Dates 2015 - Australia & New Zealand

AUSTRALIA

Australian ski resorts traditionally and officially open on the Queen's Birthday holiday weekend, which this year falls very early on the 6th June.

These days there are usually a few beginner runs open with manmade snow when there's little natural snow (which is quite typical) on the ground.

In 2014, there wasn't much terrain open until much later in June, but then almost all lifts were running by the first week of July. A great start! In 2013, we had to wait as long as until mid-July for most lifts to open. In 2012, a few lifts opened late in June again. The most reliable time for good snow cover and lots of terrain open is mid-July until late-August.

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand skifields target planned opening dates based on typical, expected snow conditions. But the seasons are unpredictable and they may have to delay when conditions aren't suitable, i.e. not enough snow. This was notably the case last year.

North Canterbury and Nelson

Rainbow 4th July 2015 (opened mid-July in 2014)
Hanmer Springs late Jun/early July 2015 (opened mid-July in 2014)
Mt Lyford late June 2015 (opened 18th July in 2014)

Canterbury

Mt Hutt 12th June 2015 (opened on 13th June in 2014)
Porters 19th June 2015 (opened 6th July in 2014)

The Mackenzie

Ohau 27th June 2015 (opened mid-July in 2014)
Roundhill 27th June 2015 (opened mid-July in 2014)
Mt Dobson 4th July 205 (opened mid-July in 2014)

Wanaka

Treble Cone 25th June 2015 (opened mid-July in 2014)
Cardrona 13th June 2015 (opened on 20th June in 2014)

Queenstown

Coronet Peak 13th June 2015 (opened on 7th June in 2014)
The Remarkables 21st June 2015 (opened on 3rd July in 2014)

Snow Report 29 April 2015 - Europe & Japan

This is my last snow report from the Northern Hemisphere for this winter. I hope you've enjoyed my little bit of coverage of ski season 2014-15. In a few weeks I'll begin posting about the forthcoming 2015 season in Australia and New Zealand.

If you want to get a taste of previous winter seasons in New Zealand, check out my trip reports from recent years.

A massive trip from 2011: Ski Touring in New Zealand 2011 - Kaikouras and Nelson Lakes and Ski Touring in New Zealand 2011 - West Coast, Southern Lakes and Canterbury.

From 2012 (which includes some heliskiing): Ski New Zealand 2012 - Part 1 and Ski New Zealand 2012 - Part 2.

From 2013 (which includes competing in the Peak to Pub multi-sport race): Ski New Zealand 2013.

Nozawa Onsen 28.04.15 [Source: Yamabiko webcam]

JAPAN

Warm days and quickly melting snow mean there are only limited options to ski and ride now despite a week and a bit to go. Check with the mountain resorts to see what's open. The ski areas with lots of higher terrain will be the go.

Don't forget to check out this cool video of my friend's trip to Niseko in 2015, and take a look back at my Japan trip reports from 2012, 2013 and 2011.

FRANCE

The French Alps received some good snow at the weekend, around 20-30cm for some ski stations on Sunday. This was followed up with another top-up on Tuesday and Wednesday.

To enjoy it, skiers and riders headed to Val Thorens, which is open until 10th May and has 25/28 lifts open, Val d'Isere, which is open until 3rd May, and Grands Montets at Chamonix, which is open until 3rd May.

Val Thorens 28.04.15 [Source: Val Thorens FB page]

Take a look back on my three-part picture report of my French-Italian ski trip from winter 2013-2014:
Part 1 - Trois Vallees (Val Thorens, Les Menuires), Chamonix-Mont Blanc, Les Houches, Balme, Megeve.

ITALY

The upper parts of Monte Rosa-Gressoney-la-Trinite and Cervinia will be closing on the 3rd May.

Take a look back on a three-part picture report of my French-Italian ski trip ifrom winter 2013-2014:
Part 2 - Piani di Bobbio, Valchiavenna Madesimo, Paganella, Folgaria, Monte Bondone, Madonna di Campiglio.
Part 3 - Latemar, Val di Fassa, Val Gardena, Arabba, Alta Badia, Monte Rosa.

Snow Report 22 April 2015 - Europe & Japan

Happo One 22.04.15 [Source: Happo webcam]

Hi all. Here's a quick look at where you can still ski at some of the major resorts.

JAPAN

Sunny days and rain on and off has been the weather in Japan for the last few weeks.

There has been no snow at all in April really. This week's wild winds caused lift closures at many ski areas. Not the same as those snowy days in January and February!

A friend of mine from Sydney was over at Niseko in February on an awesome ski trip and scored 1.2 meters in 8 days!

"It literally didn’t stop snowing and the snow was light and fluffy. The terrain was also really good although often the top of the mountain was closed which meant you couldn’t get across to the other resorts." Check out his cool video of his trip to Niseko.

Nozawa Onsen 22.04.15 [Source: Nozawa Onsen webcam]

Niseko had a massive amount of snowfall again this year - you can see how the centimetres stacked up at the SnowJapan Niseko report page which compares this year to last.

Interestingly this year there was much more total snow in the Yuzawa area and at Myokokogen, according to the other SnowJapan reports.

Happo One: 140cm@1400m, 0cm@850m Closing 10th May, top areas only
Nozawa Onsen: 240cm@1650m and 0cm@650m Closing 7th May, top areas only
Akakura Kanko: 170cm Closing 7th May
Gala Yuzawa: 200cm Closing 7th May, but you can ski at the top of Kagura ski area until the end of May.
Dynaland: CLOSED
Zao Onsen: 100/10cm Closing 7th May, top areas only
Niseko Grand Hirafu: 330/10cm Closing 7th May

FRANCE

Chamonix 21.04.15 [Source: www.compagniedumontblanc.fr/]

A heap of major ski stations finished operations last weekend, adding to the list of smaller ones that have already closed for the season.

There's a map of 3 Vallees lifts open this week. Most areas close on Friday including Courchevel, with Meribel-Mottaret going through the weekend, and Val Thorens open into May.

There's actually a fair bit of snow forecast at higher altitudes for the end of this weekend. so next week could make for a great last blast!

Isola 2000: CLOSED
Serre Chevalier: CLOSED

Les Arcs: 185cm@3200m, 30cm@1600m OPEN, Closing this weekend
Val Thorens: 220cm@3200m, 100cm@2300m OPEN, Closing 10th May
Val d'Isere: 158cm@2500m, 52cm@1850m OPEN, Closing 3rd May
Chamonix: 175cm@3275m, 105cm@1972m Grands Montets only is open until 3rd May, all other Chamonix ski areas are closed

Monte Rosa 21.04.15 [Source: Monte Rosa webcam]

ITALY

Just the upper parts of a few ski areas open in northern Italy now, for example, Gressoney-la-Trinite and Cervinia.

Monte Rosa (Gressoney-la-Trinite): 200/60cm OPEN, closing 3rd May

Madesimo: Closed 12th April.
Madonna di Campiglio: Closed 12th April.
Val Gardena: Closed 12th April. Snow cover peaked for my 13th February report: 110cm@2500m, 15cm@1400m

Snow Report 10 April 2015 - Europe & Japan

Hello, konnichi-wa, bonjour, and buon giorno! Just a few weeks to go in 2014/15!

JAPAN

The last snowfall for much of Japan was all the way back on and around the 25th March, so you can understand why the webcams are beginning to show lots of patches of grass lower down at the ski resorts. Some of these lower lifts are beginning to close now and skiing is moving up to the higher slopes only at some ski resorts.

Happo One 30.03.15 [Source: Happo FB page]

It was a warm weekend with temperatures reaching into the double figures. Rain arrived on Sunday on Honshu and continued through Monday and into Tuesday in places.

There was a dusting of snow midweek at a few ski resorts, but then it turned out fine again through the rest of the week.

The coming week looks a bit rainy, with the best skiing on the fine days in between.

Happo One: 200cm@1400m, 0cm@850m Closing 10th May
Nozawa Onsen: 300cm@1650m and 0cm@650m Closing 7th May
Akakura Kanko: 290cm Closing 7th May
Gala Yuzawa: 290cm Closing 7th May
Dynaland: 160cm
Zao Onsen: 160/60cm Closing 7th May
Niseko Grand Hirafu: 375/55cm Closing 7th May

FRANCE

Val Thorens 09.04.15 [Source: Val Thorens FB page]

Strong winds and rain caused havoc in the northern French Alps last week. This cleared somewhat approaching the weekend. Then some snow arrived to freshen the slopes, especially boosting the snowdepths at the upper slopes of the higher resorts.

This week has been fine and sunny, but the next week is looking a bit mixed with some rain in the forecast in places. In between there might be some nice, sunny days. What is certain is that it will be warm.

Isola 2000: 175/125cm Closing 19th April
Serre Chevalier: 120cm@2800m/0cm@1400m Closing 19th April
Les Arcs: 205cm@3200m, 55cm@1600m Closing 25th April
Val Thorens: 255cm@3200m, 145cm@2300m Closing 10th May
Val d'Isere: 190cm@2500m, 96cm@1850m Closing 3rd May
Chamonix: 200cm@3275m, 140cm@1972m Partial Closing 21st April

Monte Rosa 27.03.15 [Source: Monte Rosa FB page]

ITALY

A sunny springtime in Italy, and all that that brings to the ski slopes. Expect beautiful warm days, but variable piste conditions.

Some smaller ski areas have closed. Here are closing dates for the bigger ones:

Monte Rosa (Gressoney-la-Trinite): 200/60cm Closing 3rd May
Madesimo: 150/100cm Closing 12th April
Madonna di Campiglio: 150cm@2250m, 10cm@1500m Closing 12th April
Val Gardena: 90cm@2500m, 10cm@1400m Closing 12th April

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

Snow Report 26 February 2015 - Europe & Japan

School holidays are coming to an end. Its nearly March, which means its almost springtime in the mountains. Milder, longer, sunny days beckon, hopefully punctuated by dumps of fresh snow!

JAPAN

Happo One 25.02.15 [Source: Happo FB page]

Talking of spring it has been spring-like already in Japan with a mild, sunny spell hitting recently. Makes for a change!

The weekend was mainly fine everywhere in the Japanese mountains - clear, blue skies. No snow though (except for 15cm at Zao Onsen). There was even a run of a week without snow in Niseko, which is very unusual for this time of year.

Normal business is always resumed, however. After some unwelcome rain across the Japanese resorts into Monday, snow arrived for Niseko into Tuesday.

While other areas remained cloudy through this week, some snow is forecast to arrive tonight after a little rain, Unfortunately there is the suggestion of a return to more rain on the weekend. Lets hope that doesn't eventuate.

Happo One: 290cm@1400m, 170cm@850m
Nozawa Onsen: 415cm@1650m and 190cm@650m
Akakura Kanko: 415cm
Gala Yuzawa: 440cm
Dynaland: 250cm
Zao Onsen: 220/145cm
Niseko Grand Hirafu: 410/160cm

Val d'Isere 25.02.15 [Source: Val d'Isere FB page]

FRANCE

School holidays are coming to an end and the slopes will be fairly empty in the coming weeks, with some of the best conditions of the season!

There was some snow at the weekend in the French Alps (about 10cm in the north - Val d'Isere, Les Arcs, more further south - Isola got a nice dump).

Another dump arrived on Monday and into Tuesday in the French Alps. Serre Chevalier scored 35cm, while Chamonix and Val Thorens reported 25cm. Les Arcs got 13cm.

After some fine days to enjoy the freshened slopes, the snow should return tonight, locally heavy, setting up a nice weekend.

Isola 2000: 200/150cm

Monte Rosa 24.02.15 [Source: Monterosa Ski FB page]

Serre Chevalier: 190cm@2800m/50cm@1400m
Les Arcs: 158cm@3200m, 93cm@1600m
Val Thorens: 190cm@3200m, 110cm@2300m
Val d'Isere: 167cm@2500m, 95cm@1850m
Chamonix: 210cm@3275m, 90cm@1800m

ITALY

The weekend saw snowfalls in the Italian Alps, including at Madonna di Campiglio (50cm), and Val Gardena (10cm). A top-up for Val Gardena arrived on Tuesday (20cm).

Not a lot of snow in current forecasts for Italian resorts, but maybe a bit more more chance for those in the Aosta valley.

Monte Rosa (Gressoney-la-Trinite): 255/105cm
Madesimo: 480/250/200cm
Madonna di Campiglio: 220cm@2250m, 90cm@1500m
Val Gardena: 110cm@2500m, 15cm@1400m