Though conditions were quite demanding for a small four-legged creature (she ended up in my pack), and me!
Even though it was sunny there was a cold strong wind blowing.
Along with the snow, there have been strong winds at altitude so the skiing was a tad challenging as was breaking a trail.
Trouble is the weather on into the weekend does look at tad inclement, to say the least, and it's going to be a case of grabbing it if there's a prolonged clear spell, or sit it out!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Always a relief to have so much snow this early....at least it leaves me less time for micro analysing chaotic model output
The next low pressure system is just arriving now in the west, snowing heavily again thru to tomorrow, before it swings south and NE to hammer the south and east over weekend.
Temps 4c below average in the west at times, down to -10c in Avoriaz 1800 over weekend.
Next week is still not clearcut to me.....the azores ridge keeps nudging closer to france, cutting off the NW-SE flow, and edging it E / NE.
Latest ICON below, matches UKMO, GEM.
So hope to see the azores back off a little, or at least head further north.
Either way, lots of early season fun. Stay safe, wear suncream...and sun glasses....forgot yesterday how much glare there is from the snow even under cloudy sky
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
"Go ski touring they said, it would be fun they said."
After all it is free
After all it is free
kitenski wrote:
@Weathercam, or people skiing on their own
That's never stopped me
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
And to keep it simple, Saturday is shaping up to be a bluebird, powder day
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Weathercam wrote:
kitenski wrote:
@Weathercam, or people skiing on their own
That's never stopped me
You have a fair bit of local knowledge, history etc to be fair!
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@BobinCH, totally agree with KISS strategy
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Was just taking a look at the latest avalanche bulletins and comparing snow depths at altitude and decided to look across the rest of the French Alpes and @davidof, neck of the woods seems to be performing the best currently.
Belledone
Oisans
Grandes Rousses
Vanoise
Haute Tarantaise
Maurienne
Haute Maurienne
Chamonix Mont Blanc
Chablais
Thabor / Pelvoux
Queyras
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
kitenski wrote:
@BobinCH, Verbier to open this weekend, enjoy not jealous at all!!
Kitenski Could I just check that’s open for mid-week for the season from next weekend?- flights booked to Geneva Thursday 05/12 for kid free weekend and was thinking may have to get as far as Zermatt so that would be great news! (Have looked on Verbier site but seems to say weekend only and “plan” is to open full time from start of December?)
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
18z GFS keeps temperatures for the Alps average or below for pretty much the length of its run.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@Doccam, won’t open mid-week until December
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Verbier opening always signals the proper start of the European season
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I think there is a good chance we might see a southernly jet stream over the continent for the rest of November. This might give lots of snow to the Pyrenees, but also snow to the Alps. The Alps is more uncertain though as it is positioned in the firing line. All in all, a good season start
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Forecast was pretty accurate...
Snow all the way down and Attelas couloirs filling up nicely...
Thanks for that - hopefully snow will keep coming and will be open 1st week in December
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Weathercam, the problem with the Belledonne is that it is very rocky so needs a lot of snow depth to be really skiable and there is very little high road access (and what there is, some is now closed in the winter to discourage ski tourers).
Anyway I toured up to the Petit Van mountain yesterday (on my 65mm wide skimo skis but I didn't want to take anything new given the rocks). Roads were snow covered from 1500 meters. About 20/30cm of snow at 1800 meters, 50cm at 2200m. Will have to put my winter tires on but am waiting for a spare part for the car before I get the jack out.
Weather forecast has now completely changed and is for good weather through to Monday, return to unsettled weather during the week.
By and large below average temperatures for the time of year continue for at least the next fortnight on 06z GFS.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Northern India seeing some big snow.
Several dead. Valleys cutoff.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Good 12z GFS with more snow for eastern Alps, especially the south side.
Cold out into FI...
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
I’ve noticed it before. There is a correlation between snow in the southern alps and snow in Scotland. Presumably the southerly tracking depressions which put Scotland and sometimes northern England on the cooler side?
Lots more snow possible for the Dolomites over the next week but it is looking a bit wet on the lower slopes.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Garmisch, Germany, today around -1c in the valley and -10c uptop.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
davidof wrote:
.........the problem with the Belledonne is that it is very rocky so needs a lot of snow depth to be really skiable and there is very little high road access (and what there is, some is now closed in the winter to discourage ski tourers)........
Well that strategy worked as all the Grenoblois ski tourers seemed to have converged on the Col du Lautaret yesterday, never seen the car park rammed like that in the winter!
Combine those with all and sundry 05 plates from Gap etc along with ADH and LDA and it was almost mobbed if you can use that descriptive for ski touring
Still loads to do, and I suspect that many will be up there again today but it's very flat light.
I suppose when you think about it, and we sussed this out this time last year chatting to various "interloper" skiers, many work in the ski business, be they instructors, pisteurs or just work in a resort and when the season is up and running they don't have the time or inclination to make the effort to drive all the way.
Outlook very grey and not too conducive to doing stuff, though currently well out to next week, Monday 18th looking interesting!
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Obertauern looks fantastic today. Shame its not open, except perhaps for the lift dodging masochists. (Ski touring types).
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@twoodwar, opens in 11 days... Thursday 21 November.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@nozawaonsen, I will be bothered as to how to post images
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Flew from Munich to Milan yesterday. Impressive amounts of snow in the Italian alps given that it is early November with supposedly plenty more to come for the southern & Italian alps if the suggested storms make an appearance. Wonderful views of snow covered Grand Combin, Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and all point east. All looked more like January than November
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@davidof, that looked superb
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Snowy Tuesday/ Wednesday coming up in the Eastern Alps along with below average temperatures.
This is the impact of Tuesday/Wednesday storm on ECM.
Widely 30-50cm in parts of Austria and NE Italy. Up to 65cm in parts of the Dolomites.
Looks likely there is more to follow later in the week too.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Viva Italia! Looks like we’ll get a well timed top up next Friday...
With the recent and potential future snow in Dolomites and SE Alps, what areas will likely be open the last week in November? Somewhat contemplating a mission from the States. We did it a couple years ago to Solden / Obergurgl and had a blast. Things looks like they are stacking up enough to potentially make sense? Cheers
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@comish, lots of official openings that weekend, skied that week in Dolomites in Madonna di Campiglio last year and lots open. Also Cortina d'Ampezzo also opens then. I think some resorts will open a few lifts at weekends if there is snow (Cortina opened some lifts this weekend) but from end of month lifts turning everyday.
After all it is free
After all it is free
For five years running (until last year) I skied Obergurgl in the third week of November. Was able to ski right down to the village each time (though the very lowest bit was on artificial one year). As of today, Bergfex is showing snow depths at Obergurgl reaching 95/45 cm already, with a lot more forecast. Opens on the Nov 14th this year, I think.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
The thread seems to turning into a snow conditions report for individual resorts - more appropriate to the various resort threads?
The title is
"The All New 19/20 Weather Outlook Thread"
Just a thought.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@Mark1863, I know what you mean Also screen shots of webcams but bless it’s only excitement it will wear off over time
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
