November sees promising ski weather.
The ski season was off to a bit of a slow start at the end of October as the weather was fairly mild. We advised for you to book a high altitude resort for any upcoming ski trips within the next couple of months. Nevertheless, weather events can turn around in a short space of time and now just 2 weeks later we are getting rather excited at the recent storm that hit The Alps with a snowfall of at least a metre of snow in some areas.
The snowfall near Innsbruck on the Stubai Glacier is the best seen so far to date at 100cm with Hintertux seeing 80cm and Obergurgl 65cm. Heavy snow has also been reported on the Italian side of the Glacier close to the Italian Dolomites. Fresh virgin snow and a decent snowfall at that, is filling the air with a buzz of anticipation that the ski season in its full glory is almost upon us.
Snow has been falling to the West also and in Courchevel, we are seeing snowfall of 15cm, ok it’s not in the same quantity as the Stubai Glacier but it’s a promising start. The latest weather reports are showing a continued cold chilly climate and snow is predicted in every forecast to continue and the daytime freezing point will be below 1500m.
The Glacier ski areas you can now ski and are currently full steam ahead are the Hintertux, Stubai, Molltaler, Rettenbach, Pitztal, Kitzsteinhorn and Kaunertal. In Switzerland Les Diablerets, Zermatt and Saas Fee plus Cervinia and Schnalstal in Italy. For skiing in France, you can head to the slopes of Tignes.
The sceptics are saying don’t get too excited at the moment. In November of last year, there was an early storm and we all thought that was the beginning of the season however it didn’t last and after the first flurry of snow, the weather turned mild and dry again. As the main season is not due to start until the first week of December if we can head for the slopes beforehand we will be lucky.
As we all know the climate in the early ski season in the Alps can change in the blink of an eye so if you can plan a ski holiday now then why not? However, it may be advisable for you to book a high altitude resort to lessen the risk of disappointing snow coverage.
Whatever the case, it is time for preparation for your next ski holiday so check your equipment over and invest in new if necessary. Have your tick list ready; skis, boots and helmet are your priority and need to be in good working order. The latest ski wear trends are very nice indeed, however, they are more of a luxury purchase and if this is your first ski holiday then welcome to the wonderful world of picturesque views, crisp snow, fresh clean mountain air and feeling the ultimate exhilaration on the slopes, happy skiing!