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Winter Set to Return at the Weekend: But Not for Long

By Sean Newsom | on January 13, 2020 | 2 Comments
Snow Report

We’re looking forward to the return of winter in the Alps.

Currently, the signs are it will be dropping in for a weekend visit, starting on Friday. According to the snow forecast at Meteoblue, a weather front will move in from the west, hitting the French Alps first, but moving quickly into Switzerland, and then settling over western Austria on Saturday night. We can expect light to moderate snowfalls as a result, with the snow settling at mid-mountain levels: probably down to 1250m for a time.

Here’s Meteoblue’s snow forecast for the 24hrs up to 19:00 on Saturday, January 18. This is before the storm (briefly) intensifies in Austria on Saturday night. In the Arlberg – home of St Anton and Lech-Zürs – 20-30cm could fall by the time the clouds lift.

Winter Set to Return at the Weekend: But Not for Long | Welove2ski

Image: meteoblue.com

Then, on Sunday it’s back to calm and sunny weather. However, temperatures will probably be lower than they have been over the first half of January. So hopefully more of the regions’ pistes will stay soft and grippy.

In other words, January’s weather continues to be, well…a bit disappointing. Yes, of course the new snow will be welcome. Especially if 20cm or more falls. But what we want is a proper, week-long spell of snowy weather to refresh the slopes, and some chilly temperatures to go with it. It is mid-winter after all.

That’s not to say the slopes are bare, of course. Thanks to the turbulent end to 2019, the cover is still good above about 1500m right across the Alps. But the pistes are for the most part pretty hard-packed in the mornings, and it’s taking a while for the sunshine to soften them up. You need to sharpen your technique as well as your edges to ski them well. That’s what my fellow-editor Felice Hardy has been doing in Val d’Isere today – and she’s had a ball. Up high, away from the sun, she’s found some good grippy pistes and – as befits the middle of January – a complete absence of crowds.

This how it looked this morning in La Daille.

Winter Set to Return at the Weekend: But Not for Long | Welove2ski

Photo: welove2ski.com

Lower down, however, the cover is getting more threadbare, with the odd pebble and smear of dirt showing. So it’s time to start sacrificing some more chickens to the Snow Gods. They could really do with a some sustained snowfall before the peak holiday period of mid-February hoves into view. In the meantime, if you’re looking for the best skiing conditions, stay high.

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Author Description

Sean Newsom

As well as founding Welove2ski in June 2007, Sean has written about skiing and snowboarding in the British press for 28 years. For the last 20 of them, he’s also been the ski travel editor at The Sunday Times.

2 Responses to “Winter Set to Return at the Weekend: But Not for Long”

  1. Avatar

    January 13, 2020

    Eran Reply

    Thanks for the excellent reports! Just to add that I’ve been to Skiwelt and Kitzbuhel in the last few days and actually the temperatures were lower than forecasted, and the snow quality on the alopes was very good in almost all places. They even managed to keep almost all valley runs open… I think it also has to do with the low sun angle at this time of the year – even on sunny days the snow stayed very good.
    Overall, highly enjoyable despite the low altitude 🙂

  2. Avatar

    January 15, 2020

    Martin Heckelman Reply

    Very sorry to learn that Felice injured her hand on an icy stretch. I hope it heals quickly and well.

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