We need more of the white stuff

It has been a slow start to the snow in Europe this season. Despite a reasonable fall of snow in many Alpine areas during November the warm weather has meant that lots of pistes are looking at little too green for this time of year. Some resorts which were due to open this weekend have been forced to cancel due to poor snow cover.

Courchevel, Meribel and Les Menuires announced that they would not be opening as planned this weekend. Tignes and Val d'Isere are open but only at the higher altitude glacier sections.

Val Thorens in Les 3 Vallees is also open but with reduced runs and terrain. Both Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes are partially open with reasonable skiing at the higher levels.

Over in Austria it is more of the same with the Ski Welt area also cancelling its official opening this week. Ischgl has fared a little better and held its official opening last weekend with James Blunt ringing in the season with a concert in the village. Just about half of the resort runs were open with most of the coverage being above 2000m

Some of the best conditions at the moment are in Switzerland where the November snow in Zermatt and Saas Fee is sticking will and conditions at the higher altitude runs are reasonable for this time of year. The high runs across in Cervinia are also skiable at the moment.

Of course the very best conditions are in North America where the recent snow storms have ensured excellent coverage.

Don’t worry too much, it is still very early in the season and as many experienced seasonaires will tell you “the snow always comes”. Let’s hope so and we will keep you posted when it does.

Here are some photos from ski resort saround Europe.

The high levels in Iscghl are not too bad

but the village is looking a little bare !!!

The higher runs in Cervinia and Zermatt are looking ok

Between 2000m and 3000m in Alpe d'Huez and Les Deux Alpes you can enjoy some early season skiing and the glaciers in Tignes and Val d'Isere are also open

but don't try any skiing at the low levels in Val D. It needs little more powder first

This time last year we were reporting over 1.5m snow base in some of the higher resorts so lets hope the snow gods are listening and send us some nice white powder soon.