Europe Weekly Snow Roundup #282

• Austria fires the starting gun on 25/26 glacier skiing
• Fresh snow teases high French, Swiss and Italian domains
• Switzerland adds terrain while high passes briefly close
• Finland set to open with snow-farmed 2 km pistes

Jump to: Alps  |  Scandinavia

Alps

Austria’s season got underway at the weekend with its highest slopes at Pitztal (30/60cm / 12/24”) opening its glacier runs for its seven-month-long 25–26 ski season. The formerly year-round Hintertux (0/25cm / 0/10”) glacier also re-opened its slopes after a nearly two-month closure, reporting 15 km (9 miles) of runs ready for reopening day. Pitztal initially reported 6 km/4 miles of runs available. Three more Austrian glaciers are set to open this coming weekend: the Kaunertal, the Stubai, and Sölden’s twin glaciers, with several more to follow later this month. A Sölden statement indicated they might open with twice as much terrain open as their nearest northern hemisphere competitor.

Still, there is a proviso: “Cruise into the new ski season with absolute snow guarantee at Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers, where 34 slope kilometres (21 miles) of runs and nine lifts await you (depending on snow conditions).” Stubai has announced that the Gamsgarten I & II, Rotadl, and Daunferner lifts will be operational on opening day, serving five pistes initially: Seeblick (#1), Steilhang (#2), Skiweg Eisgrat (#6), Daunferner (#7), and Rotadl (#29). Sölden opened today with significant upper-mountain cover (reported up to 247cm), and our forecasts suggest light top-ups midweek. Kaunertal and Stubai are set to start tomorrow, following today’s fresh snowfall, with Mölltaler Gletscher expected to follow in about eight days, if conditions hold.

Elsewhere, fresh snowfall in the Swiss Alps has been widely welcomed, although the country’s media has been reporting that it has led to the closure of high mountain passes. Zermatt (0/120cm / 0/48”) and Saas-Fee (0/1450cm / 0/56”) continue to offer glacier skiing, with about 14 km (9 miles) of open runs each. In addition, now Murren’s Schilthorn opened an autumn terrain park at the weekend, using snow farmed from last season. Further snow is forecast for Zermatt and Saas-Fee tomorrow. Notably, Engelberg is set to see new snow as it targets an opening in just 23 days, adding momentum to Switzerland’s early start.

Italy’s two glacier centres, Passo Stelvio (10/90cm / 4/36”) and Val Senales (0/40cm / 0/16”), remain open, with a few kilometres/miles of runs available, divided between athlete training runs and recreational ski facilities. There have been more snowfalls on high slopes reported across the region. Resorts in the French Alps excitedly posted images of fresh snowfall at the end of last week, and several high mountain passes were closed due to the conditions. Fresh pulses are due again from Thursday for high French domains such as Tignes and Val Thorens, reinforcing the wintry feel even as their public openings remain several weeks away.

Forecast
The Alps are shifting back into autumn mode this week, with cooler temperatures and scattered snow showers to end the week. Higher resorts in Austria, Switzerland, and France, such as Hintertux, Saas-Fee, and Tignes, may experience light snowfall above 2,500 metres, especially during midweek. Winds will pick up on Thursday, followed by clearer skies and crisp mornings into the weekend.

Scandinavia

There’s been more snowfall on Scandinavian slopes over the past seven days. Norway’s Galdhøpiggen glacier is the only ski area currently open and remains very skiable with firm, grippy surfaces. Meanwhile, Finland’s ski season is about to start, with both Ruka and Levi ski areas set to unveil 2 km of slopes apiece, thanks to their snow farming efforts, which recycle last winter’s snow. Both plan new season festivities, gear testing, terrain park features and training facilities for pro skiers.

Forecast
Scandinavia’s ski outlook from Wednesday to Saturday is cool and promising. Finland’s Levi and Ruka ski areas will experience crisp, dry conditions with overnight frosts and daytime highs hovering near freezing, making them ideal for early snowmaking on top of the farmed snow. The Galdhøpiggen glacier is expected to receive light snow midweek, with temperatures remaining well below zero and winds easing by Friday.