16
'First' snow of the season
Wednesday September 16, 2009 - Email this article to a friend
It's been falling across the Alps for the past couple of days, hampering transport but it's put a pleasing white covering across the mountain tops. Here's an updated PlanetSKI report with new pictures.
One swallow does not make a summer and the first reports of snowfall does certainly not make a winter, but it is a sign that the ski season is not so far away.
We've heard from Saas Fee where it is snowing down to Morenia (2500m) but not yet in the village.
"There's approximately 20cm of new powder on the top of the resort at the Allalin (3500m) but we can't really see anything because of the snow/rain but over the valley in Saas-Grund it is a bit clearer," says Nadia Reusser from the resort.
Murky in Saas-Grund
In neighbouring Zermatt it is a similar picture with high winds too.
"We have had around 10cm and there is a forecast for more snow later this week," says Thomas Schetty from the Swiss resort's lift company.
In Austria, the Grossglockner pass had 10cm of snow with some roads closed and the authorities ordered drivers to put chains on their vehicles.
The Malta highway in Carinthia was closed beyond Kölnbrein, and the Sölk Pass linking Murau and the Enns Valley in Styria was also shut according to the Austrian car club, OAMTC.
It's also fallen across many other high areas in The Alps and we have had a report from a reader in Andorra that snow has fallen there too.
We have been keeping our eyes and ears open out in The Alps to see the first snowfall of the approaching winter and, apart from snow on the peaks and on the glaciers, these are the first reports we have heard of a reasonable snowfall in a place where it does not normally fall in the summer months.
"How exciting! The snow this year is a bit later than usual as in the last years we saw the first snow falling already at the end of August," says Marion Telsnig, from the holiday company CrystalSKI.
"When the first snow falls, everyone in the office get’s excited, starts talking about their new ski equipment and holidays. We have been working on the ski brochures since March and finally, it feels like a mercy !"
In PlanetSKI's base resort of Verbier there is some fresh snow on the mountains across the valley. "There is some on the Rogne which is the peak above Bruson and to the right of the Petit and Grands Combin if you know the area," says Guy Ordway from the Verbier ski school, Performance.
Check out some of the pictures below from web cams across The Alps and come back to this story later as we will have more information and pictures from our contacts and colleagues around the Alps.
Here at PlanetSKI we say bring it on!
Val Thorens
The Italian Dolomites
The Austrian Tirol
Gastein, Austria
Zermatt, Switzerland
We have a report from one of our readers as he books his first trip of the season and don't forget to check out 'The Photos of the Week' on the home page for some great pictures of the snow last Autumn in The Alps.
Also in his blog our content editor, James Cove, casts his eye over how the ski industry is preparing for next winter.
The season is around the corner.
If you are out in The Alps do let us know how people are reacting to the first real snow fall of the season. It will probably melt quickly but, hey, it's there now. Thanks!PlanetSKI reserves the right to edit any comments. In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
I am not out in The Alps but sitting in a dull office in London watching the rain come down with a load of work that i can't be bothered to do. To me it looks brilliant even though, as you say, it will probably all melt. Whoo cares? it has brightened up my day and made me think of skiing. Roll onthe winter.
Anon (I am at work!), UK
Yippee!!!
Anna Marigold, Twickenham, London
Without wanting to be nerdy, this isn't really the first snow of the season, as there have been a few pockets already! I guess it all depends how you class 'snow of the season'. Just snow, (ie what I talk of), or, actually snow to ski and board on. Whatever the case, it's looking good! Must dig out the snow chains.
Xavier Adam, Harrogate
Going on holiday to the Italian lakes tomorrow! So it could be warmer but this is what we want.
A light dusting over towards Bruson on the other side of the valley.
Great news
Toby Mallock, Verbier
We had snow on the mountain tops this morning and it's was pretty nippy first thing. Reckon it's settling above 3000m...
Guy, Verbier
Bookmark this page
Related Articles
More snow is falling (Sunday March 7, 2010)Scottish resorts dig themselves out (Tuesday March 2, 2010)
3 perish in Swiss avalanches (Tuesday March 2, 2010)
Coldest UK winter for 30 years (Monday March 1, 2010)
Scottish ski resorts snowed under (Saturday February 27, 2010)
Snow across the world (Saturday February 27, 2010)
