 Poster: A snowHead
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I made this web app as a tool for me to nerd out over data for snow conditions. Thought I'd share it here in case it was useful to others.
It's essentially an aggregation of various historical data on snow and weather conditions at resorts in the Alps.
I built it to help me choose resorts in the Alps at different points in the season and understanding what the historical average conditions have been.
https://alps-explorer.netlify.app
The 'About' page explains the data sources and methodologies.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Like it. Are you planning on adding "lesser" resorts?
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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?
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Happy to add more if there's particular ones requested.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Thanks, I like this!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Well, that looks to me like a fair bit of work.
Not entirely sure how practically useful it is to
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help me choose resorts in the Alps at different points in the season and understanding what the historical average conditions have been
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Too much variation between and across seasons to make any sort of predictions, other than e.g. Avoriaz is likely to have more snow in the village at any point than e.g. Morzine.
It's typically snowier in January and February. It's typically warmer in April.
But we all knew that.
But great for geekiness!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| under a new name wrote: |
Not entirely sure how practically useful it is to
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help me choose resorts in the Alps at different points in the season and understanding what the historical average conditions have been
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?
Too much variation between and across seasons to make any sort of predictions, other than e.g. Avoriaz is likely to have more snow in the village at any point than e.g. Morzine.
It's typically snowier in January and February. It's typically warmer in April.
But we all knew that.
But great for geekiness!! |
Yes it's definitely not a forecast.
I found it useful to see, on average, the timing and degree of snow build up early season, and also later season when certain resorts typically move into freeze/thaw cycles that significantly impact snow quality. Also to compare the harshness, such as deeper cold and wind, across resorts, for peak season.
Honestly though most useful for me was just to have all of the scattered data in one place to view and compare.
One can never be sure about a given week's conditions but knowing the typical patterns might help you play the odds a bit.
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@Proxii, except, the typical patterns aren't at all typical at that level of granularity.
Arguably better inputs to your choices are likely tourist numbers and typical price patterns.
So e.g. the week after NY week is often pretty reasonably priced, and is typically quite quiet. But it's still quite early season for snow.
Easter weekend is good for long holiday weekend, is typically quite quiet, can often be lovely and sunny but you generally need to like spring snow and late lunches.
Trying to ascertain when the snow will be good, in any sort of advance is, frankly, a folly.
Also, it makes no difference to you the skier, certainly if on piste, if the resorts published snow depth is 1m, 2m, 3m or 4m. You ski on the surface.
It is still a nice bit of coding mind you, Chapeau!!
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Good point about tourist numbers. I did actually try to find those, you can see what I managed to build by turning on 'busyness' toggle on the About page. The problem is that unlike weather related data, there does not seem to be a consistent data source across Alps resorts for tourist numbers, resort accommodation fullness, lift sales or usage, etc, at least I couldn't find one that was consistent, comprehensive and free. Any pointers on that are of course appreciated.
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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.
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@Proxii, this is cool. Thanks!
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FAQ
