Fonna Glacier Reports 11 Metre (36 Feet) Snow Depth

Norway’s Fonna Glacier reports that the snow is lying 11 metres (36 feet) deep on its glacier.

The centre is one of three summer-ski areas in the country and had planned to open for the season at Easter. All ski areas in Norway are currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic so that date looks unlikely.  However the huge snow depth means the centre could open later in the spring or early summer if restrictions can be lifted.

The ski season in Scandinavia has been very mixed, even without the impact of the virus.  Record average high temperatures in central and southerly parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden had caused operating difficulties due to lack of snow for many areas.

However against this ski areas in the Arctic Circle to the north of the region have posted the most snow for more than 20 years and currently has the deepest snow in the world of any still-open ski area at more than four metres (Riksgransen is pictured below shortly before opening for the season a month ago).

Prior to their closing earlier this month ski areas in Western Norway, where Fonna is located,  had the deepest snow in the world at nearly 5.5 metres.