Best Fresh Snow in Eastern Alps And Western North America
Best Fresh Snow in Eastern Alps And Western North America
Published : 25-Jan-2011 01:40
Steamboat Colorado this week
Inghams tell us there has been a metre of new snow in Kitzbuhel over the weekend, highglighting snowfall in the eastern Alps which has particularly benefitted Austria it seems. Conditions were excellent for the Hahnenkamm last weekend.
The picture remains less rosy in the French Alps where several tour operators have told J2Ski news in the past 24 hours that lower ski areas badly need snow.
The news isn't that bad though in most cases, on the piste at least, as although there's been little snow for a month, the November and early December snow, as well as periods of cold temperature for snow making, has built up good bases on the piste at least.
But for those not yet booked, the January for 2011 is the same as the Spring-advice for any year, aim high.
"The cold is keeping the snow in good condition and with 90% of our skiing located above 2000m, the vast majority of slopes are open, including cross country skiing in the valley. Grands Montets yesterday fantastic (first hand experience)!" said Claire Burnet of the Chamonix tourist office, the resort is go to stage its famous Kandahar World Cup races this weekend.
Or you could fly west. California still has the deepest snowpack on earth with a five metre base, but conditions are currently powder heaven in many western areas in North America too, with Colorado and Utah both claiming the best of the January snow.
Vail mountain say their season-to-date snowfall is more than 50 percent above the mountain's average and that they've had more than four feet of new snow (137cm) fall in the last week
"Consistent winter storms have brought incredible powder to skiers and snowboarders at Vail with more than 6.8 metres of snowfall reported at mid-mountain this season." Said a company statement.
So far this is the fourth best season-to-date for snowfall in Vail's history, dating back as far as records exist to the 1963-1964 season, the second season Vail was open; and compared to the 2009-2010 season, Vail's total snowfall is more than double what it was at this time last year at mid-mountain.
Saying that, don't forget New England either - huge snowfall there a week or so ago.
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