Northern Hemisphere Weekly Snow Roundup #331
Weekly Snow News for Northern Hemisphere, updated 10 September 2026: Passo Stelvio reopens after three weeks, while cooler temperatures and fresh high-altitude dustings signal improving glacier conditions.
- Alps: Passo Stelvio has reopened, but with limited terrain and thin cover.
- Europe: More glacier resorts are expected to reopen soon as temperatures cool.
- North America: High-altitude areas are seeing early snowfall and colder nights.
Northern Hemisphere Report
Italy's Passo Stelvio (0/40cm / 0/16") reopened to skiers without much warning last Friday as overnight temperatures dropped enough to allow the glacier surface to refreeze and stabilise, ending a three‑week mid‑August shutdown which, for what’s believed to be the first time this century, extended to all the summer ski areas that should currently be open.
Lift operations at Stelvio have resumed under tightly restricted hours to protect the glacier during warm afternoons. The Trincerone–Livrio cable cars run 6:30 AM–4:00 PM, while the Pajer and Cristallo glacier drag lifts operate only 6:30 AM–12:00 PM. With no meaningful new snowfall, terrain is limited, and the skiable area holds a thin base.
The mid‑August closure followed prolonged heat-waves that pushed freezing levels far above glaciers across the Alps, leaving the surface too soft for safe grooming or public access at most centres. Managers at Stelvio say they still aim to run through to the planned season end date of 1 November 2026, though day‑to‑day operations will depend on weather through early autumn. At the time of compiling this report, Switzerland's Saas‑Fee and Zermatt are still shut by the same summer heat issues.
Elsewhere, Italy’s Val Senales is currently still expected to open for its 26-27 season at the end of next week, while Austria’s Hintertux, Sölden, Kaunertal and Pitztal all hope to begin their autumn seasons before month‑end, weather permitting. Norway’s Galdhopiggen glacier is also expected to reopen, with the snowfarmed slopes of Finland’s Levi and Ruka due to start their seasons on the first weekend of next month. In North America, there have been more high-altitude dustings of snowfall reported with Mt Bachelor in Oregon, along with centres around Mt Hood, amongst the latest to post pics of snow at its summit.
Northern Hemisphere Forecast
Glacier regions in the Alps above 2500 m are heading into a cooler spell, with overnight lows widely falling to –2°C to –6°C, occasionally lower on exposed peaks. A series of weak fronts may bring light high‑altitude snow showers, especially mid‑week, though accumulations look modest. Daytime temperatures should stay close to freezing, helping surfaces continue to refreeze after the recent warm periods.
At Galdhøpiggen in Norway, a colder pattern is also developing. Nighttime lows of –4°C to –8°C are expected, with a small chance of light summit‑level snowfall as moisture brushes southern Norway. Winds may strengthen at times, but conditions favour continued surface hardening.
On high terrain in North America, early‑fall cold pulses are expected to continue. The highest peaks of the Cascades, Rockies and Sierra Nevada may see brief flurries or dustings, with overnight lows dropping below 30°F depending on elevation. Any snowfall will be light, but freezing nights should help maintain early high‑altitude firmness.
