Mid-mountain snow in the Italian resort of Cervinia – just across the border from Zermatt. Photo: © cervinia.it
Once again, the snow forecast for the Alps was spot on. The Alps have had another dose of September snow: and it’s much more widespread than last week’s. It’s even been snowing in the Italian Dolomites, which is unusual so early in the autumn.
Most of the snow fell last night – but as I write, it’s still coming down in some places, notably in the northern resorts of Switzerland and in western Austria. It’s due to peter out this afternoon; before a band of warmer, rainier weather moves in tonight.
Today’s snow forecast for the Alps. Most of the snow shown here fell early this morning.
We’re not talking about significant dumps. Zermatt has reported 20cm of fresh snow up high this morning, but most places in Switzerland and Austria reckon they’ve had 5-10cm (and in the French Alps there’s only been a dusting). Nevertheless, the reappearance of the white stuff is great news for the autumn glacier-skiing season, which is gathering momentum now. The Pitztal glacier in the Austrian Tirol opened its pistes on Saturday, and the Stubai glacier gets going on Friday (September 20). Meanwhile, in Engelberg, Switzerland, there’ll be glacier skiing from October 5, and the Grande Motte glacier above Tignes in France will be open from October 12. On the Hintertux glacier (which is open for piste-skiing all year) the best early-season terrain park – Betterpark Hintertux – is due to open soon, maybe even this weekend.
The Stubai glacier this morning. Photo: Stubai Glacier/Facebook
Are we looking at the start of a cold and snowy autumn? Well, as I’ve noted in recent snow reports, some forecasters are predicting just that. For example, La Chaine Meteo in France is forecasting a cool October and November, and says that, il semble que nous nous dirigions vers un nouvel hiver froid sur l’Europe – “it seems as though we are heading towards a cold winter in Europe”.
But in the immediate future it looks as though warmer weather will return, and may persist until the beginning of October. So unless there’s a glacier in your early season skiing plans, don’t book your pre-Christmas trip just yet.
Here’s a quick canter through the cams to show you how widespread the snow is this morning.
Zermatt, September 17. Photo: zermatt.ch
The Idalpe, at 2,320m above Ischgl. Photo: © ischgl.com
Oberlech, above Lech, September 17. Photo: © pension-berger.at
Verbier, seen from the Savoleyres lifts, this morning. Photo: © verbier.ch
Colfosco, near Corvara in the Alta Badia. Photo: © altabadia.org
Tignes in France, September 17. Photo: © tignes.net
11 Responses to “More September Snow Hits the Alps”
September 17, 2013
welove2skiHave you seen the snow in the Alps this morning? There’s white stuff all the way from France to the Dolomites. https://t.co/jXVI5dhrha
September 17, 2013
surfsnowstyleRT @welove2ski: Have you seen the snow in the Alps this morning? There’s white stuff all the way from France to the Dolomites. https://t.co/…
September 17, 2013
globalnieveRT @welove2ski: Have you seen the snow in the Alps this morning? There’s white stuff all the way from France to the Dolomites. https://t.co/…
September 17, 2013
InghamsHolidays#Snow has fallen from #France all the way to the #Dolomites! Take a look at these pictures via @welove2ski https://t.co/ZCnpGvUesu
September 17, 2013
skifinderRT @welove2ski: Have you seen the snow in the Alps this morning? There’s white stuff all the way from France to the Dolomites. https://t.co/…
September 17, 2013
smallaxxeRT @welove2ski: Have you seen the snow in the Alps this morning? There’s white stuff all the way from France to the Dolomites. https://t.co/…
September 17, 2013
RReichsfeldRT @welove2ski: Have you seen the snow in the Alps this morning? There’s white stuff all the way from France to the Dolomites. https://t.co/…
September 17, 2013
skiaccommodatioRT @welove2ski: Have you seen the snow in the Alps this morning? There’s white stuff all the way from France to the Dolomites. https://t.co/…
September 17, 2013
RobKeylockMore September Snow Hits the Alps https://t.co/Zw1DrNH6tU via @welove2ski @hackettwatches are your ski’s prepped.
September 23, 2013
SkiBlancSeptember snowfalls in the Alps. Looking good for early skiing. Special Offer: £299per person for w/c 14 Dec https://t.co/XEILH0vSzT
September 23, 2013
DasterdizzleRT @SkiBlanc: September snowfalls in the Alps. Looking good for early skiing. Special Offer: £299per person for w/c 14 Dec https://t.co/XE…