 Poster: A snowHead
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The Alps are currently experiencing one of the heaviest snowstorms in recent years, with over 1 metre of new snow on some slopes, and pistes shut down while preparation and avalanche-blasting work takes place. Maximum avalanche warnings are in force for some regions. This storm is forecast to continue for several days, with heaviest precipitation expected in parts of Switzerland and Austria...
The storm caused Saturday's cancellation of the strategic Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbuhel (for only the fifth time in its history, according to the BBC), the rare closure of Geneva Airport on Sunday and avalanche fatalities in St Anton (see separate news reports).
Reports and photos from snowHeads in the mountains have been reaching our Snow Report section. A clearer picture will emerge today, but anyone thinking of a trip before high season could take advantage of some great conditions between now and early February, subject to the snowpack stabilising with continued cold weather.
Current snow deposition and avalanche information (Switzerland): Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research.
Current snow forecasts: www.snow-forecast.com ... www.meteofrance.com (map for northern French Alps)
Other weather links, snowcam links and snow report links welcome!
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 24-01-05 11:21; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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This report on ifyouski.com states that the Val d'Isere tourist office is claiming "126cm of fresh snowfall since yesterday", roads closed and warnings to children not to play near buildings (presumably in view of the risk of snowpack falling from roofs).
Wrap up warm: low temperatures have now set in. At the time of writing, the temperature on the Klein Matterhorn (admittedly highest cablecar station in Europe) is -26C, but temperatures are deep below freezing across the Alps.
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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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Here is the - transformed - snow situation across the French mountains, according to the SkiFrance french national snow bulletin (which doesn't include depths but seems quite objectively reported, on past performance).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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A summary from the BBC on the situation across the Alps.
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| In the French resort of Val d'Isere, children have been urged not to play near buildings as the snow could slide off the rooftops and bury them. |
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| Many ski resorts have also been cut off. An avalanche fell across the road leading up to the French resort of Tignes, while in the Swiss resort of Verbier a coach skidded across the mountain road and blocked the road in both directions for several hours. |
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Other resorts including Avoriaz and Les Arcs were cut off as the authorities closed the roads for fear of avalanches.
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(the road up to Arc 2000 was closed for a while but not the remainder of the resort)..
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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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PG, despite my convoluted "Eurostar" return journey home at the weekend, it looks like we were lucky to get out of Tignes when we did!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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They give wind speed at the top in Courchevel of 4020 km/hr!! I hope that's not right!!
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Jane, that does seem slightly high 
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Just have a look at this for a wonderful sight.
OK i'm still a dummy, but I think the link works.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Wed 26-01-05 11:19; edited 5 times in total
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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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Chris Bish, replace the ] after the first url with = and add a / before the second url.....and you'll have cracked it 
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Incredible photo Chris Bish.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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.
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I have just got back from Samoens and saw all the heavy snow, and luckily missed the Geneva airport chaos. So much snow fell in a short time, we were constantly digging the car out to get around the village, but it should give some great snow conditions over the next few weeks as it was mighty cold yesterday on the hill.
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PG, I had lunch at la Ferme only 2 weeks ago! And there certainly wasn't snow like that 
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You know it makes sense.
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Latest on snow-blitzed Switzerland: on Wednesday, the ever-punctual trains between Geneva and Lausanne were halted for two hours by snow drifting on to the tracks. Very high winds affected local mountains. World leaders to the World Economic Forum in Davos had their high-profile helicopter transfers from Zurich affected.
This report from Mail & Guardian online.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I bet that got the swiss train authorities into a fluster; " snow on the line .... big time "
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Poster: A snowHead
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I can almost hear the rail authority (whatever they call themselves) over here, making a mental log of that one to spin their way out of the next snowfall here that suspends trains
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Mark Hunter, I think you mean "snowflake"
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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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laundryman, good point
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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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...or the wrong type of snow!!
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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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Anyone know the longer term forecast for February? We're due to arrive in Les Menuires on 4th February for a week.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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From next Tuesday temperatures will rise considerably according to the forecast, with the possibility of a small front passing over the Tarentaise Tuesday to Wednesday night, perhaps some more snow. Clearing Thursday, some cloud/precipitation Friday. That's as far as it goes, and no doubt it will all have changed radically by the middle of next week!
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No doubt it will change again! Thanks for this - I'll keep my fingers crossed for blue skies and immaculate pistes from the 4th!
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FAQ.jpg)
snowHeads 