Fresh Snow in the Alps! Snow Report

Snow Report Monday 03 February

In today’s report we catch up on conditions across Europe, North America and Asia with heavy snowfall across most of the ski world over the weekend.

Where’s the snow going to land next? We’ve scoured the internet to give you the best recommendations.

Now on with the snow!

Snow Report

Since our last report most resorts in the Alps have received 10-20cm of new snowfall on top of the 50cm-75cm dumps earlier in the week.

But that heavy snowfall in a short period of time sitting on a hard, established layer saw the avalanche risk hover between Levels 3 and 4 (out of a maximum of 5) with remote and human triggered avalanches beyond the ski area boundaries and in a few cases beside the lifts.

Unfortunately there were a number of avalanche burials resulting in injury and fatalities.

Despite being put through the ringer this skier wasn’t too badly banged up, with the helicopter airlift a precautionary measure. A very lucky escape!

Courmayeur Snow Report, Italy

These observations are echoed by Chamonix Ski Bum on his YouTube channel

Please take the avalanche risk seriously if you’re heading to the mountains and if you’re venturing off-piste carry the necessary avalanche safety equipment and consider skiing with a local guide.

Our ‘on the snow’ reporters have been enjoying great conditions across the European Alps.

Villars Snow Report, Switzerland

Mike from Snow Pro Ski School reports great conditions at Villars.

Click here to book ski lessons in Villars with SnowPros

Teamwork makes the dream work

Chamonix Snow Report, France

Storm Eowyn brought great conditions to the Highlands of Scotland

Glenshee Snow Report, Scotland

The return of JaPOW! brought out the crowds in Niseko Grand Hirafu

Niseko Snow Report, Hokkaido, Japan

World Snow Forecast For The Next 3-4 Days

The Austrian resorts will see the freezing level rise to 2,650m during the first half of the week bringing freeze thaw conditions below that level and powder on north facing slopes above. Don’t forget the sunscreen.

It will be a similar situation in France, Italy, and Switzerland with sunshine and great conditions to be enjoyed through Thursday.

Andorra and the French & Spanish Pyrenees will see sunshine and freeze thaw conditions as the freezing level rises to 2,700m.

Central and Eastern Europe will see clear skies and below freezing temperatures through the first half of the week.

Further east the Georgian and Turkish resorts will see temperatures between -5C and -10 C with 10-20cm forecast.

The Nordic countries of Finland, Norway and Sweden will see continued cold temperatures and 10-15cm of new snow through Thursday.

The Alberta and British Columbia resorts of Canada will see sunshine and temperatures dropping as low as -25C. Don’t forget the face mask.

Temperatures will remain cold on the East Coast with light flurries.

Most of the western US resorts will see a spike in temperature with freeze thaw conditions and the chance of rain at village level. Jackson Hole, Wyoming could see 25-30cm above mid-mountain.

The West Coast resorts of California will see a major storm system moving in today with up to 1m forecast above 2,300m. This will be accompanied by high winds and heavy rain at village level.

Further north the Oregon and Washington resorts will see colder temperatures and 10-15cm of new snow through Thursday.

Temperatures will remain cold on the East Coast with sunshine and 5-10cm forecast.

The resorts on Japan’s main island of Honshu and the northern island of Hokkaido will continued snowfall with 45-55cm expected across most resorts on Honshu and 30-40cm on Hokkaido.

Gala Yuzawa, Honshu is forecast to receive 91cm through Thursday, with over 1m at the Hakuba Valley resorts. Asahidake, Hokkaido is expecting 50-55cm.

Where To Ski

If you can drop everything and book a last minute trip then head to resorts in the Alps with skiing above 2,500m on north facing slopes for a powder filled start to the week.

Think Val d’Isere, Tignes, Val Thorens, Zermatt, Saas Fee, Verbier, Solden, St Anton, Monte Rosa, and Passo Tonale.

The Nordic countries are still a good bet with cold temperatures preserving the powder which fell last week and a top up on the cards before Thursday.

Have the time to head further afield? Then it has to be the resorts on Honshu and Hokkaido, Japan where normal service has resumed and all resorts are enjoying daily snowfall.