Snow Report, July 4

“I’ve been running summer courses for 18 years and I’ve never had a start to summer like this.” So said Warren Smith at the start of summer skiing programme above Cervinia and Zermatt last weekend.

No wonder. Late June saw yet more snow falling at altitude in the Alps and it wasn’t just the glacier resorts which benefited. Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Italian Dolomites opened the Tofana sector last weekend for skiing, too. The Dolomites are not exactly famous for their snowy climate – so it shows just how weird the weather in the Alps has been since – well, since April, really.

Here’s the video Warren put out yesterday.

And here’s a shot – of what almost looks like winter – from Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Since Wozza’s video was recorded, the weather’s been much less wintry. Temperatures have shot up, and there have been thunderstorms and heavy rain above Cervinia. The skies have now cleared and today French forecasters Meteo Chamonix expects the freezing level to be at 4400m. But still, there’s no doubting the fact that this is the best start to the summer season for years. If you’re tempted – check out our guide to the best resorts for summer skiing for advice on where to go.

The skies are clearing too – which will be a relief for Les Deux Alpes, which has a big weekend coming up – starting with the pro-am Kumi Yama freestyle competition from July 5-7. Here’s what the 2013 course will look like.

Then, on Saturday the Crankworx mountain bike festival gets going…

Meanwhile, in New Zealand…

After the spectacular snowfall of late June, the weather has warmed up considerably in New Zealand, with temperatures on the Canterbury coast reaching 20C at times. High winds have closed ski areas too. Now it looks as though winter will return at the weekend – check the New Zealand Herald weather pages for details.

It’ll come as a big relief to the New Zealand ski resorts, which won’t have been pleased with the unseasonably mild temperatures this week.

In Australia, it’s good weather for formation-skiing

Just over a week ago, the Snow Mountains of Australia had a decent dump, which put the season back on track after a pretty snowless start. There’s been precious little fresh snow since then – and a lot of wind. So in Thredbo they’ve been making the best of it with a natty display of formation skiing…

In South America they had some of this…

…followed by a lot of this

It’s been a decent start to the ski season in South America – most resorts saw moderate to heavy snow around June 22, and more fell on June 28. Valle Nevado claims 60cm of fresh from the latest dump, and there’s more to come on Saturday, too.

	France: the summer skiing season is in full swing on the Pisaillas glacier above Val d’Isere, as it is above Tignes and Les Deux Alpes. According to Les Deux Alpes’ snow report, the cover on its glacier is currently 245cm deep.
	Switzerland: You can still ski on the glacier above Zermatt, and links over to Cervinia are now open too. Saas Fee’s glacier will be open from July 27.
	Austria: all resorts are now closed apart from the glacier ski areas. You can currently ski on the Hintertux, the Stubai and the Kitzsteinhorn glaciers. However the Stubai glacier closes on July 5 for the summer, and the Kitzsteinhorn on July 21.
	Italy: access to high-altitude skiing above Cervinia is now possible – mostly on the Swiss side of the border above Zermatt.
	Andorra: Andorra’s ski resorts are now closed for the summer.
	Western USA: all the mainstream ski resorts are now closed, but you can still make turns at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood in Oregon.
	Western Canada:  The ski season is now done and dusted in Canada – although the glacier on Blackcomb mountain, above Whistler is open until July 28 for summer skiing. Check out our guide to the best resorts for summer skiing for more information.