Question about snow depth and late season skiing

A snowHead

Apologies if this is a dumb question. We've got a week booked in Saalbach mid March. My assumption is that the snow that falls throughout Dec, Jan and Feb accumulates so that they can open runs during the later part of March and early April.

So my question is, with the recent modest snow, if there sufficient base depth to see the resorts through March and into April? Has there ideed been any significant accumulation?

Or are we reliant on further significant snowfall to create a buffer reserve of snow? At what point / time does further snowfall become critical?

Pete

A snowHead

For piste skiing, I wouldn't worry. The Saalbach ski circus has snow cannons on all their main runs, and are not afraid to use them in early and mid winter to build up a base. They aren't allowed to use them later in the season, but the company isn't daft. They know how important it is to have skiable conditions late in the season and will have been using them through any cold period. You can never trust the weather, obviously, but it would take, in my estimation, a freaky heatwave to erode what they've built up. Saalbach, like everywhere had a poor start to the season, but it was ok, (not great, but definitely ok), when I was there two weeks ago, and it's only got better since. This cold snap is forecast to continue for a while. Barring a disastrous Fohn period, I can't see why you wouldn't be fine.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

the snow constantly evaporates. But it also keeps falling - February and early March can be very snowy. Mid March is a great time to ski.

Help!!

Question about snow depth and late season skiing

snowHeads Forum Index >>> Snow Reports - weather - snow conditions