J2Ski Snow Report - December 12th 2024
J2Ski Snow Report - December 12th 2024
Published : 12-Dec-2024 08:55
Jay Peak, Vermont, delivering this week...
Some decent top-ups in the Alps, ski areas open in the Pyrenees and powder in a few fortunate places in America.
The Snow Headlines - December 12th
- Val Gardena starts 24-25 season with most terrain open in Italy.
- Pyrenees ski season underway as snowfall finally arrives.
- 3 Valleys opens 300km of terrain to post the most open in the world.
- Over two feet (60cm+) of snowfall in 72 hours for Val Thorens and others.
- 10 ski areas in the Alps post more than 100km of slopes open already.
Where is it going to snow?.
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World Overview
The snowfall in the Alps at the weekend and earlier this week was perhaps not quite as intense as the most optimistic forecast models predicted at some points ahead of the event, but it was still pretty good!
Most areas have had at least a good snow refresh with snow down to lower levels and some resorts in the French Alps (as well as northern and western parts of Italy and Switzerland) reported over two feet (30cm) up high over the weekend. In fact, as we're still in the first half of December and astronomical autumn, the amount of terrain open is around the average for this early point in the season, not epic, not terrible, in most areas.
Most of the northern hemisphere's larger ski areas are now open, with just a few of the bigger French regions not quite yet, but opening this coming weekend in almost all cases. The season is also finally getting underway in the Pyrenees, several weeks later than hoped, after good snowfalls there this week.
There have been fewer snowfalls in North America this month and base depths have actually dropped a little following November's bounty. The main thing though is that snow and cold weather on the East Coast has allowed most resorts to open there at last.
Europe
Austria
All of Austria's leading ski areas have now opened, at least partially, with low-lying Mayrhofen showing the success of snowmaking during the colder days of the past month by opening more than 80% of its slopes at the weekend to temporarily claim the most terrain in the country at 115km.
That was partly because Ischgl, which had already posted 130km of slopes open the previous week, had some closed due to the active weather system that has brought strong winds and fresh snow to Austrian slopes this week.
Ischgl is now back to 170km and Saalbach has equalled Mayrhofen's open terrain.
The week ahead is looking mostly dry and sunny but remaining cold with some light snowfall at the weekend.
France
France received snowfall down to low levels to start this week, perfectly timed for more of the country's big ski areas opening, including Serre Chevalier and the rest of the 3 Valleys.
Val Thorens posted one of the biggest accumulations with 65cm in 72 hours.
Terrain open so far is rather more limited than in other major ski nations, most French areas with 5-20% of their terrain so far, but that seems to be more of a commercial decision than a lack of snow, particularly up high.
The 3 Valleys has moved to open about 50% of its runs now, so is topping the world chart.
The rest of the big areas like the Grand Massif, Paradiski and the Portes du Soleil open this weekend (several having had preview openings last weekend).
It's been sunny and cold since the snow and that should continue next week but with a little weekend snowfall expected.
Italy
Most of Italy's leading resorts have opened for the season now with Bormio and Val Gardena among those doing so last weekend.
The latter immediately posted the most terrain open in the country with 150km of slopes from day one, about 80% of its full terrain. It also got the go-ahead to host World Cup races later this month with the FIS giving the green light to snow conditions.
It's perhaps not been so snowy in Italy as most of the rest of the Alps, but there has been some new snowfall, heaviest in the north and west. The Madonna di Campiglio region posted 35cm in 24 hours on Saturday-Sunday.
Staying cold and sunny for the coming week, with light snow expected at the weekend.
Switzerland
Swiss centres too have seen heavy snowfall earlier this week, coupled with low visibility and strong winds at times.
Laax was one of the big winners, with 30cm (a foot) in 24 hours, Verbier got 20cm.
About half of the country's ski centres are now open, although that half contains 90% of the big-name destinations. Year-round Zermatt continues to top the table for the most terrain open, with 50% and 160km of slopes already, one of the largest areas available in the world so far this winter.
Most other areas still only have 5-20% of their terrain available.
The weather outlook is sunny but cold for the week ahead, with some weekend snowfall likely.
Scandinavia
After a few delays, all of Scandinavia's big ski areas, including Hemsedal and Trysil in Norway, Are and Salen in Sweden and Levi and Yllas in Finland are now open for the 24-25 season, most opening last weekend (although Levi started their season in early October thanks to snow farming).
What all have in common are very thin bases (typically in the 10-20cm area) and very little terrain open yet (typically 5-10% of their full areas). That's partly a throwback to an often mild autumn.
The good news is that it has been mostly sub-zero with light snow showers this past week and looks like it should stay like that for the coming week too.
Pyrenees
Last weekend marked a change in the weather here, with many areas seeing several feet of snowfall and cold temperatures.
Ski areas, including the biggest like Baqueira Beret in Spain and Grandvalira in Andorra, have begun opening at last in the region, with the rest now aiming to do so by this coming weekend.
Sunnier weather this weekend but staying cold, and snowfall returning next week.
Scotland
Scottish ski areas saw about a foot of snowfall on Friday-Saturday as Storm Darragh blew through.
Centres had not opened for snowsports at that point but most closed other operations during the storm with some cut off anyway by access road closures.
Glencoe noted the snow was useful for building a base for the season. After the storm, temperatures dipped well below freezing, consolidating the fresh snowpack. That led to The Lecht saying they'd start their season with a little snow this weekend, then Glencoe opening some runs on Wednesday, kicking Scotland's 24-25 season off.
Cairngorm and Glenshee are currently considering opening some runs early too, although the forecast is for warming temperatures at the weekend.
Eastern Europe
Things are looking pretty good for this point in December across most Eastern European ski regions.
Bulgaria's Bansko and Pamporovo both opened at the weekend after some big snowfalls, posting up to a metre lying from day one. Bansko had about three-quarters of its slopes open and began operations a week earlier than planned.
Leading centres have also opened in the Czech Republic (Spindleruv Mlyn) and Slovenia (Kranjska Gora), joining already-open Jasna in Slovakia, all posting good early-season snow. It has kept falling too and is forecast to return at the weekend.
North America
Canada
After the dry conditions of early December, there have been some good snowfalls in both western and eastern Canada. On the eastern side, they've been particularly welcome after an often warm and dry Autumn, allowing ski centres in the region to partially open with thin cover at last.
In the west, resorts like Sunshine and Revelstoke posted 20-50cm accumulations of fresh powder.
Fernie is posting the deepest snow in the country at 125cm, and Whistler Blackcomb the most terrain open in North America at 5,500 acres.
It's expected to stay cold with cloudy skies and light snowfall in the West, and unfortunately warm and sometimes wet weather returning in the East.
USA
Relatively dry for another week across much of the western US, after the snowy November, although it has remained cold in most areas and there have been some light to moderate snowfalls.
The bigger accumulations, particularly at the end of last week, were on the eastern side of the country bringing powder conditions to ski areas in Vermont, Maine and New York state among others.
Just getting snow to build bases and allow centres to open at all was the main thing after the warm autumn and unfortunately, rain returned midweek, stalling things.
Back in the West, there have been reports of some Tahoe areas struggling to make snow due to warm temperatures but on the whole, it remains a positive picture with resorts like Mammoth reporting almost all their terrain open and the continent's (and the world's) deepest snow still in the Pacific Northwest corner at resorts like Mount Baker in Washington State.
There's more of the same for the coming week really, hopefully a little more snowfall in the north and west at least with light-moderate snowfalls expected.
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