Archive for the ‘Travel Guides Worldwide’ Category

Skiing – Snow Report 15th March 2010

March 15th, 2010 by Rob | Filed in Travel Guides Worldwide

It was a great ski weekend in Europe, with sunny weather and generally low temperatures. Snow conditions are good.

In contrast to the sunny weekend, it was snowing in Austria on Monday. Some places received up to 15cm of fresh snow even down at 1000m, which is excellent for this time of year.

The very cold weather in France last week has eased now and it is a lot warmer everywhere. Avoriaz offers some brilliant spring skiing at the moment, with softer snow in the afternoon. The sun is shining so make sure you wear appropriate sun protection.

Passo Tonale in Italy received some fresh snow at the end of last week. All the higher areas offer great skiing, like Sestriere, Cervinia and Passo Tonale.

Nearly 10cm of fresh snow fell at Zermatt in Switzerland on Sunday night but Monday was a sunny day. Plenty of great skiing can be found in generally spring-like conditions, especially lower down. More warm weather is expected this week.

Over 40cm of fresh snow at Timberline in America made for a pretty awesome weekend there. Other resorts to receive lots of snow were Heavenly and Squaw Valley in California. Both received around 35cm of fresh snow.

It snowed loads in Revelstoke, Kicking Horse and Whistler in Canada over the weekend too. Around 50cm fell on Friday and Saturday at Revelstoke and Kicking Horse with similar amounts at Whistler on Saturday and Sunday.

AUSTRIA
There was some great skiing on offer in Austria over the weekend with many resorts receiving a dusting of snow on Sunday 14th March. Ski Club reps in resorts across the country said conditions were great, even down low.
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Skiing – Snow Report 8th March 2010

March 8th, 2010 by Rob | Filed in Travel Guides Worldwide

Conditions in Europe vastly improved over the weekend with much colder weather and lots of fresh snow, particularly in the east. Many places in Austria received up to 30cm of snow on Sunday 7th March which should provide excellent skiing this week.

Switzerland and Italy also have great conditions although not as much snow fell as in Austria. Sauze d’Oulx received 15cm of snow on Sunday 7th March which made for some excellent skiing all over the mountain.

Over in France the temperature is very low, down to -20°C at some of the higher resorts like Tignes. Fresh snow fell at some places, including Morzine which saw 5cm fall on Saturday night.

Fresh snow in Andorra and Bulgaria should improve all the skiing. Both were blessed with heavy snowfall on Monday, forcing some of the resorts in Andorra to close completely.

Over in America it snowed loads in Utah. 45cm of fresh snow fell at Park City providing excellent powder skiing. Mammoth in California received lots of snow as well, adding to their season’s total of 11 metres so far.

The last two months in Canada have been unseasonably dry and warm but this should come to an end this week. In the mean time though good spring skiing can be found at most places. Whistler has some great snow on the upper slopes and with more than a metre due this week it is set to improve dramatically.

AUSTRIA
Fresh snow in Austria over the weekend, and very cold weather, has transformed the ski conditions pretty much everywhere in the country. Powder can be found off piste at most resorts and on-piste conditions are great.
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Skiing – Snow Report 4th March 2010

March 4th, 2010 by Rob | Filed in Travel Guides Worldwide

The mild weather in Europe has given spring skiing all this week which is great for skiers but not for the snow. Fortunately, a return to wintry weather is just round the corner.

The higher French resorts offer some of the best skiing at the moment. Tignes received dustings of fresh snow this week and most of their upper pistes are in great condition.

Some of the lower Austrian resorts have very slushy snow because of the mild weather. They all have a good enough base depth to ensure top to bottom skiing in most places though and the upper pistes are all in good condition.

Great weather in Scotland this week has allowed skiers and boarders to make the most of last week’s fresh snow. Cairngorm has the deepest base depth with nearly two metres of snow at the top. Conditions are excellent for the time of year so if you have always wanted to ski Scotland but have been put off by poor snow, now is definitely the time to go.

50cm of fresh snow at Squaw Valley in California provided them with yet more amazing powder skiing. They are enjoying a good season for snow so far and with more than four metres of it on the upper slopes, it should be an excellent spring.

Whistler is beginning to return to normal now the Olympics have ended. However there are some preparations for the Paralympic Games which begin on 12th March. Elsewhere in western Canada it is still pretty warm but this should come to an end as colder and snowy weather is expected, finally.
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Skiing – Snow Report 1st March 2010

March 1st, 2010 by Rob | Filed in Travel Guides Worldwide

This weekend saw some excellent ski conditions in many areas across the world, particularly parts of America and also Scotland.

Scotland received a massive amount of snow at the end of last week. Cairngorm was reporting snow drifts that were 7 metres deep in places. The storm brought with it around a metre of fresh snow to most resorts over the course of Thursday 25th February and Friday 26th February. The skiing is the best it has been in many years.

Mild weather brought rain to the lower slopes of many resorts in Europe over the weekend. Spring-like weather was dominant in most of the lower areas but rain at resort level means fresh snow higher up. 20cm of snow fell on the upper slopes of Verbier in Switzerland over the weekend with some fantastic skiing reported.

At the same time as the snow in Scotland, it was snowing extremely heavily on the east coast of America too. Resorts like Sugarbush reported over 1.5 metres of fresh snow on Thursday and Friday last week. Elsewhere in America, the same amount was reported to have fallen on Mammoth in California over the weekend. They have already received ten metres of snow this season so far at Mammoth.

AUSTRIA
Milder weather is still affecting parts of Austria with a few resorts experiencing light rain on Sunday 28th February. Some resorts also received a dusting of snow however which is good news.
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Skiing – Snow Report 25th Feb 2010

February 25th, 2010 by Rob | Filed in Travel Guides Worldwide

More snow in France earlier this week means the skiing is excellent once again. Lots of areas received up to 40cm of fresh snow on their upper slopes but lower down the snow is wetter.

The same is the case in Switzerland and Austria. Not as much snow has fallen in these countries as did in France and milder weather means the lower pistes are soft or even slushy in some parts. Good skiing can, however, be found up high at all the areas.

The end of this week sees one of the biggest dumps of snow in Scotland for a long time. All five main resorts are closed due to extremely heavy snow and high winds. The snowfall is also affecting access roads but when the weather clears the skiing will be comparable to top powder resorts in the world, especially considering how the snow drifts at the Scottish resorts.

It’s also snowed loads in America, particularly the east coast. Resorts like Sunday River and Sugarbush have been hit with around 75cm of fresh snow, which fell on Wednesday 24th February. It also snowed 70cm down at Mammoth in California, continuing their excellent season.

Eyes are still on Whistler in Canada and the weather there. Fortunately it has been dry and sunny recently, allowing them to run most of the alpine skiing events without problems. However another storm is heading for the area, bringing with it up to 50cm of fresh snow. This is great news for recreational skiers but not such great news for event organisers. Fortunately, most of the skiing events have now taken place.

AUSTRIA
No new snow has fallen in Austria since Saturday 20th February in most places. Despite the lack of fresh snow the pistes are generally in very good condition all over, especially high up.

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Skiing – Snow Report 22nd Feb 2010

February 22nd, 2010 by Rob | Filed in Travel Guides Worldwide

Another weekend of heavy snowfall in the Alps leaves many resorts with lots of powder and pistes that are also in excellent condition.

In France between 10cm and 20cm of snow fell on most of the resorts at the end of last week and over the weekend. The Ski Club reps in France report generally good conditions, especially on the upper slopes.

Italy and Austria received the most snow. Bardonecchia in Italy got 40cm of fresh snow on Friday night and many places in Austria saw up to 30cm land on the their slopes.

The skiing in Scotland on Monday was superb with beautiful blue skies and excellent snow cover at all five resorts.

Over in America, the place for powder at the moment is Colorado. Over 90cm of snow has fallen at Aspen since last Tuesday so there is loads of powder all over. Lots of other resorts in Colorado have powder too.

The weather in Whistler has been great recently. Colder and sunnier weather has been dominant for a while allowing all the scheduled alpine skiing events to take place without issue. Many of the lower pistes are hard due to the lack of fresh snow but another storm is on the way this week.

AUSTRIA
Another dump of snow fell right across Austria on Saturday. Up to 30cm fell in a few areas but most places received between 10cm and 20cm.
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Skiing – Snow Report 18th Feb 2010

February 19th, 2010 by Rob | Filed in Travel Guides Worldwide

Despite it being one of the busiest weeks of the year in the Alps, many resorts have minimal lift queues and excellent snow conditions to go with it.

Fresh snow fell in the western half of the Alps on Wednesday and in many resorts the snow continued on Thursday too. The southern areas of the French Alps received the greatest amount of this fresh snow. Serre Chevalier received around 30cm of snow over Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th February.

The snow hasn’t yet arrived in Austria but it is heading their way. Ski Club reps in Austrian resorts report excellent conditions, particularly at Obergurgl where the pistes are being well maintained.

Nevis Range in Scotland reported up to 40cm of fresh snow on Wednesday 17th February. This is excellent news for Scottish skiing, which is experiencing its best season in many years.

Snow continues to fall in Colorado. The good news is that it is due to get even heavier. Earlier in the week Breckenridge received 30cm of fresh powder which made for one of their best powder days of the season so far.

Skiing in Canada is also good at the moment. Despite reports of a lack of snow at the Winter Olympic areas, Whistler has over three metres of snow and with around 90cm falling since Thursday 11th February there is plenty of powder to be found.

AUSTRIA
There have been some excellent conditions all over Austria this week, which is good as it is one of the busiest times of the season at the moment. The sun has been shining all week so far while the coming weekend is promising some fresh snow.

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Skiing – Snow Report 15th Feb 2010

February 15th, 2010 by Rob | Filed in Travel Guides Worldwide

Half term week in Europe means busier slopes are to be expected but there are great snow conditions to be enjoyed. Resorts ranging from La Plagne in the west to Obertauern in the east of the Alps offer excellent snow.

In Italy and Switzerland there’s also great snow. The most recent of the snow fell in Switzerland and in most resorts you can find patches of powder. Verbier had busy slopes on Sunday but if you know where to look there is some excellent skiing on quiet pistes.

Between 10cm and 15cm of fresh snow fell at Nevis Range in Scotland on Sunday night meaning Monday had great conditions on the upper areas. Elsewhere in Scotland the pistes are generally hard packed but the resorts still offer some great skiing.

Breckenridge in Colorado received 30cm of fresh snow on Saturday 13th February. This gave the resort one of the best powder days of the season so far.

Conditions in Whistler are excellent for recreational skiers, with loads of snow falling on the upper half of the mountain over the weekend. Plenty of powder can be found and the most recent snowfall was 18cm on Sunday. Unfortunately these conditions are less than ideal for the downhill races. Fortunately, however, colder and drier weather is expected later this week.

AUSTRIA
Half term week has begun in Austria and the snow conditions are excellent. Fresh snow last week and cold weather means the snow is generally in superb condition.
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Skiing – Snow Report 11th Feb 2010

February 11th, 2010 by Rob | Filed in Travel Guides Worldwide

Lots of snow fell in Europe this week, right from the west to the east. With the busy half term week coming up this bodes really well for those heading out there soon. France has some great skiing to offer thanks to the snow and cold weather. The Three Valleys and Espace Killy are both fully open with plenty of fresh powder.

Over in Switzerland and Austria, heavy snow transformed resorts earlier in the week. Very low temperatures are maintaining the snow to keep the powder nice and dry off piste. It should be an excellent half term break next week.

Fresh snow fell at Cairngorm in Scotland on Wednesday night. It was only a light dusting but the fresh snow helps to keep the runs in generally good condition. Cairngorm offers the best skiing in Scotland at the moment.

A snowstorm on the east coast of America has benefited the ski resorts there too. Smugglers’ Notch has great piste conditions and the cold weather is keeping the snow in great condition.

This weekend is the big weekend for Whistler in Canada. The Winter Olympics opening ceremony is on Friday 12th February and after all the speculation of the area having no snow they will be keen to prove they have great conditions. This should be enhanced by the weather forecast, which predicts 70cm of fresh snow over the opening weekend.

AUSTRIA
On Thursday 11th February, snow was falling at all of the Ski Club featured Austrian resorts. Up to 25cm fell on some resorts on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
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Skiing – Snow Report 8th Feb 2010

February 8th, 2010 by Rob | Filed in Travel Guides Worldwide

Milder weather had moved over Europe last week but this week should see a return to the cold. Snow is also in the forecast. Ski Club reps in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy all reported excellent ski conditions, with lots of fresh snow falling over the weekend.

The winds in Scotland have subsided, allowing Cairngorm to re-open over the weekend. Not much in the way of fresh snow has fallen but consistent temperatures below zero are helping maintain the existing snow base.

The headline snowstorm on the east coast of America has benefited some of the ski resorts in the area. Stowe received around 20cm of fresh snow over the weekend. It also snowed lots down in California, particularly at Mammoth.

Over in Canada many resorts continue to offer good skiing. It hasn’t snowed much in the past week but snow conditions at many resorts are very good. The Ski Club rep at Sun Peaks reports pockets of fresh powder off piste. Lots of snow is expected at Whistler this week, which is great news for the upcoming Winter Olympics.

AUSTRIA
It snowed in Austria over the weekend. The fresh snow fell right across the country and in some places more than 20cm fell on Saturday.
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