WORLD SNOW ROUNDUP #138
Issued: 6 May 2020
By Patrick “Snowhunter” Thorne
North American Roundup
European Roundup
Asia Roundup
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE OVERVIEW
The biggest news of this week south of the Equator is probably the huge snowfalls in Australia in the run-up to last weekend. Most ski areas in the country got at least 50cm (20 inches) of fresh snowfall about six weeks before the season is due to begin there, some as much as a metre (4 inches) over about 48 hours. It has warmed up since but more snow is forecast. There’s also been snowfall reported in southern Africa again in the past week as well as New Zealand.
Of course, all areas are looking at whether they will be able to operate or not this winter, with all currently optimistic they will be able to at some point in some form. New Zealand is probably looking the most promising and even recorded the first boarder taking a gentle run after fresh snowfall at Coronet Peak on Tuesday morning this week. The country has come the furthest out of lockdown, so far, of the Southern Hemisphere ski nations.
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA REPORT| It’s been a big week for Australian ski areas with some huge snowfalls between Thursday and Saturday. The biggest, at Charlotte Pass, hit the metre (40 inches) mark for the accumulation there, most other areas posted 50-70cm (20-28”) of snowfall. So the picture was of a winter wonderland and Mt Buller reminisced about their earliest ever opening on May 2nd 11 years ago in 2009. As it is, Aussie ski areas are generally due to open around June 5th, the start of a long holiday weekend in the country that traditionally marks the start of the ski season, snow cover or not. This year of course, at present, no one is yet clear when or how Aussie resorts will open as lockdown there continues.
AUSTRALIA FORECAST|After the sensational snowfalls at the end of last week it has been sunny and temperatures have crept up and that’s still the picture through the remainder of this week; however, there are signs of another front moving in at the weekend with temperatures due to drop back to freezing in the mountains and more snow falling, if probably no quite so much as this past week.
NEW ZEALAND
NEW ZEALAND REPORT| After a fairly dry week, things have been turning snowy again in the New Zealand mountains. The operation of ski areas this winter, with the first area scheduled to open at the end of this month on Mt Ruapehu, is currently looking more promising for New Zealand residents. The country is slowly easing its strict lockdown having appeared to minimise the impact of the virus more successfully than any other leading ski nation; however, operations will, of course, be with full social distancing and similar measures in place to minimise any danger of virus spread.
NEW ZEALAND FORECAST| After a brief snowy period temperatures are set to climb and the weather to be mostly dry over the resorts in most areas. It should stay cool on the mountains so lying snow should last. It’s just looking rather worryingly warm up high (double digits above freezing) at the weekend at present. But, hopefully, those numbers will drop as we get closer to that date.
ARGENTINA
ARGENTINA REPORT| There was a little more fresh snow up high on Argentinian ski slopes at the end of last week but it has been sunny since. It is still around six weeks until the first ski areas are scheduled to open for the 2020 season here but the country remains in a strict lockdown at present. And as with many other countries it is unclear what the situation will be by the start of the Argentinian ski season.
ARGENTINA FORECAST|It’s a warm and sunny remainder of the week ahead for most Argentinian ski areas; however, currently, the forecast points to a return to colder, snowy weather at the weekend with plenty of snow forecast. This will initially fall as rain at lower levels but hopefully, it will be snowing down to valley floors by Sunday.
CHILE
CHILE REPORT| It has been largely warm and sunny in Chile this past week with temperatures too warm for snow and conditions too dry anyway, at most areas, for the last seven days. The country remains in lockdown like most of the world a present. The ski season is due to start, if it can do, around mid-June.
CHILE FORECAST| The warm, sunny weather is expected to last for the rest of the week. But a front moving in at the weekend should bring much colder weather and precipitation that will fall as snow on higher slopes, in the Chilean Andes, with temperatures below freezing into the start of next week in the mountains.
SOUTHERN AFRICA
SOUTHERN AFRICA REPORT| There was a little fresh snowfall at the end of last week reported at Afriski, in Lesotho. But since then we are back to wall-to-wall sunshine. Both Lesotho and South Africa remain in lockdown (and Lesotho had not had any virus cases at the last update). The two ski areas in the region are both due to open in a month.
SOUTHERN AFRICA FORECAST| It looks like wall-to-wall southern-African sunshine for the coming week with temperatures much too warm for snow, even if there was precipitation of any type in the forecast.
INTRODUCTION NORTH AMERICA
North America has had mixed weather conditions over the past week with colder weather in the north and some very warm weather in mountains to the south. This has lead to closed resorts, in states like Colorado, warning backcountry skiers of the current extreme avalanche danger with wet slides common.
The main talk, however, continues to be the end of the lockdown, which is being gradually lifted in different states and provinces across the continent at different speeds, at different times and in different ways. Colorado was the main area in focus at the end of last week. A-Basin, Aspen Highlands and Wolf Creek might be able to re-open as the governor lifted restrictions; however, it was quickly clarified that no area would be able to open before May 21st, with Aspen and Wolf Creek saying this now rules them out for this season.
USA
USA REPORT| It has been a fairly warm and dry week in much of the US, with just some precipitation and mountain snow reported in the Pacific Northwest corner of the country around the weekend.
The one ski area which had re-opened, Mt Baldy in Southern California, closed again on Sunday. This seems to have been due to warm temperatures impacting the snowpack rather than a virus-related decision.
There were hopes, going into the weekend, that ski areas in Colorado might be the next to reopen. An easing of restrictions had been announced there to allow skiers and boarders to ‘recreate’ within 10 miles of their homes, which some have interpreted as meaning backcountry skiing is on again. One Colorado ski area, Wolf Creek, had advanced plans and almost 100% backing from locals and regional health bodies to re-open but they needed a special exclusion from the rules from the Governor to be able to do so, and that was denied. Aspen Highlands, which had also hoped to re-open, now says it definitely won’t, even if the rules change at the next planned review in late May. Arapahoe Basin, however, may still do so. Therefore, currently there’s nowhere open in North America. The next area saying it will definitely re-open for its 2020 summer ski season is Beartooth Basin up on the Montana/Wyoming border. Of course, things can and do change quickly so other areas may re-open in the meantime if changes to the lockdown in their states permit it and they deem it’s safe to do so.
USA FORECAST| It’s full-on late springtime for much of the USA over the coming week with warm, sunny weather the norm in most areas. There’s a possible change on the horizon towards the end of the week with temperatures dipping. Snowfall is in the forecast on higher ground in the north and west on Thursday before things warm straight back up again in states like Vermont, in the northwest, by Friday.
CANADA
CANADA REPORT| A fairly quiet week across Canada with cool temperatures and some fresh snow reported up high in the Rockies. In a normal year, this would be when Marmot Basin and Lake Louise, in Alberta, would be ending their seasons with only Sunshine and Whistler due to stay open later into the spring. It remains unclear whether either will have the chance to re-open if considered safe to do so.
CANADA FORECAST|The weather will be below seasonal norms over the coming week in Canada, right across the country. Snow is forecast at higher elevations again in Alberta and BC and it will also be colder in Quebec with some snow possible at higher points here.
INTRODUCTION EUROPE
The cold weather which brought snow to the Alps and Pyrenees at the start of last week continued to hold sway through much of this week. Fresh snow was still falling in parts of the Alps, last Friday and Saturday, at the start of May; however, the main focus continues to be on Scandinavia in terms of what is open in Europe right now with the first of Norway’s three summer ski areas opening and posting an incredible near 15 metre (49 feet) base.
About a dozen ski areas are believed to be open in the region now, including two centres in Sweden which have not closed throughout the pandemic. At least half a dozen smaller Norwegian areas are operating, having been allowed to re-open by their local authorities under strict anti-pandemic-spread measures. Most of the ski centres have reported regular snowfalls of up to 25cm (10 inches) in 24 hours, providing some fresh spring snow cover.
The other big news at the start of this week was that Austrian glacier areas (at least one at present) will resume skiing operations from May 29th, when the government says ski lifts can run again. The Kizsteinhorn is the first to announce its re-opening and others may follow.
AUSTRIA
AUSTRIA REPORT| It has stayed cooler and more wintery in the Austrian mountains over the past week. Certainly, more so than in much of April with lower temperature and more fresh snowfall at times on higher slopes. Austria has been moving the fastest, of the leading alpine ski nations, to relax its lockdown. Ski touring was allowed again from last Friday 1st May, although government ministers and tourism chiefs are advising against it due to avalanche danger and not wanting to risk any additional health service requirements. The country has also announced ski lifts can run again from 29th May. The Kitzsteinhorn, above Kaprun, is the first area to say it will resume its ski season then, after a 10-week break, becoming the first major ski area in the Alps to resume operations. A number usually would be open in June and one, Kaunertal, issued a statement on Sunday saying it was working with local authorities to re-open if they could find a way to do so safely. Besides, it has been announced that the country’s ski team has recommenced training, after each member and the support teams have been tested for the virus.
AUSTRIA FORECAST| The rest of this week looks set to remain fairly cool and changeable in the Austrian mountains with temperatures staying below freezing on higher slopes and more light to moderate snow showers forecast through the week. It will be getting warmer later in the week though and could be finally back to warm and sunny weather by the weekend again.
SWITZERLAND
SWITZERLAND REPORT| There was a good deal of fresh snow at higher-elevations in Switzerland over the past seven days. For most, the heaviest falls were in the middle of last week with Zermatt posting images of slopes covered in fresh snow. Switzerland is moving to ease its lockdown over the coming weeks and months and it’s Zermatt, usually open every day of the year, that is looking the most likely destination to re-open there when a safe way to do so has been agreed.
SWITZERLAND FORECAST|After the recent snowfall (and occasional rain at lower elevations) the next few days are looking much drier and sunnier in Switzerland with temperatures getting quite warm (high teens above freezing) in the valleys but still staying close to, or below, zero up above 3000 metres. The next chance for snow up there (rain lower down) looks to be the weekend.
FRANCE
FRANCE REPORT| It has stayed fairly cold in the French mountains over the past week and there have been regular reports of fresh snow down to around 1500-2000 metres (depending on the day) at most of the country’s ski regions in the Alps. Some ski areas, including St Foy, posted webcam images that appear to show snow drifting several metres deep up high. The country’s winter season should be ending about now with resorts like Val Thorens, which stay open into May, having their closing days around the first weekend of the month (had it not ended early in mid-March). But now the three glacier resorts of Tignes, Val d’Isere and Les 2 Alpes are looking at ways to re-open for glacier skiing. The first easing of the current lockdown may be announced from the 11th and some resorts have started to put a firm date on starting their summer seasons (although it’s not clear if that can and will include snowsports). Val d’Isere had been due to offer glacier skiing from June 6th to July 12th for example. It now says it will open for its summer season on July 5th (but it is unclear if skiing will be offered).
FRANCE FORECAST| After the cooler weather last week it will warm up down in French valleys through this week and get up towards 20 degrees above freezing. But it should stay cool (nearer freezing) up on higher slopes including the country’s glaciers. Weather will be variable with periods of cloud and warm sunshine, as well as rain, which may fall as more snow up high, especially at the weekend.
ITALY
ITALY REPORT|In common with the other leading ski nations in Europe there was snow for higher slopes in Italian mountains over the past week as the weather continued to be unseasonably cold. Cervinia was among resorts reporting 10cm or so of fresh snow on higher slopes and flurries down to resort level. Italy, of course, remains in lockdown for the time being and it’s unknown as yet whether it will be safe and possible to open summer ski areas, like Passo Stelvio and Cervinia, this summer. Passo Stelvio issued a social media statement on Tuesday 5th to quash rumours that it might re-open this spring or summer, saying it was not going to and was focussed on a September season start.
ITALY FORECAST|Fairly similar conditions to the past week for much of Italy with sunshine, cloudy spells, rain and occasional snow showers up high throughout the week. Temperatures staying fairly cool in the mountains, getting warmer in the valleys.
SCANDANAVIA
SCANDINAVIA REPORT| Norway continues to be the world-centre in terms of open ski areas with most of the small centres that have re-opened over the past few weeks still open and now the first of the country’s glacier areas joining them. The Fonna Glacier late spring/summer ski area has opened for its 2020 season in Norway. The centre is reporting an exceptional 14.9 metre (49 feet) depth of snow on its upper slopes, with only slightly less at the bottom of the runs. It took well over a month for diggers to dig out the access road to the centre.
A few weeks ago there was a concern whether Norway’s three summer ski areas would be able to open due to the pandemic, but the country has begun easing its lockdown and has allowed smaller ski areas to re-open if agreed by their local authorities. At least half a dozen smaller centres have re-opened for domestic skiers based locally. They have strict virus spread risk reduction measures in place. They have also had quite a lot of fresh snowfall this week, with reports of up to 25cm falling in 24 hours at the end of last week. After Fonna, Roldal (200/600cm / 80/240”) has the deepest base. A second summer ski centre, at Galdhøpiggen, is due to open on the 16th May and the third one, Stryn, on 29th May.
Over in Sweden, Riksgransen (515/515cm / 206/206”) is the last area open after neighbouring Bjorkliden ended its season. So Riksgransen is now the only ski area in the world to have stayed open through the pandemic. It’s annual ‘skiing under the midnight sun’ is due to start soon.
SCANDINAVIA FORECAST|There’s no real sign of springtime making it’s way into Scandinavia’s remaining snowy areas as yet, with cold weather and more snowfall forecast through the week ahead at resorts like Riksgransen. Unfortunately, it looks like this will be mixed with fog or low cloud in places at times meaning low visibility will continue to be an issue.
JAPAN
JAPAN REPORT|The past few days would have marked the last of the ski season for most of the ski areas that should have still been open in Japan, including Niseko. Instead, those ski areas closed a fortnight ago following the second spike of the pandemic in the country. At least one ski area plans to re-open. Gassan ski area, which was reporting a nine-metre (30 feet) base when the latest Japanese lockdown began, says it currently expects to re-open next Monday, May 11th. Although, if the current advice from their provincial government is to remain closed after then, they will. The ski area, Japan’s only really summer-ski destination, is normally open from early April (it opened on April 3rd this year) for a 3-4 month spring/summer season through to July. It’s an unusual season period but similar to some ski areas in Scandinavia, including Riksgransen and Norway’s glacier areas, as well as Beartooth Basin the US.
JAPAN FORECAST|Temperatures have been 10-12 degrees above freezing in Gassan over the weekend but they’ve been falling since and should drop below freezing overnight on Wednesday/Thursday and not get much above that in the daytime either. There are some light showers in the forecast too, but likely to fall as rain rather than snow.
