Having witnessed one of the snowiest Decembers on record across the Alps; picture perfect conditions over the Christmas week, and a short lived spell of mild weather for New Year, the Alps are now getting ready for the first dump of 2012...and it’s another big one! With some European resorts already reporting more snow to date this winter than the whole of last season, the Alps are now enjoying some of the best snow conditions in the world.  Below is a quick round up on where to find the best snow conditions.

Austria The resort of Solden reported the most new snow across Austria last week.  Following an impressive 1.1m of fresh snowfall, the clouds parted giving way to some great on and off piste conditions.  St Anton also has some fantastic conditions with an upper snow depth of 298cm and has a further 65cm forecast this week. Lech despite having slightly less snow is still in great condition with 240cm lying on the upper slopes. >>>  More information on ski holidays in Austria [caption id="attachment_2941" align="aligncenter" width="310"] The picturesque resort of Lech[/caption] Switzerland If you are looking to find the deepest snow in Europe, head to the the traditional village of Saas Fee in the Swiss Alps.  The resort currently has an on piste snow depth of 340cm and another 20cm forecast for the end of the week.   Not far behind, and forecast for another 40cm of snow this week, is Verbier where you will find a piste depth of 300cm. >>>  More information on ski holidays in Switzerland [caption id="attachment_2936" align="aligncenter" width="346"] A recent powder day in Verbier.[/caption] France Following some truly incredible snowfall in the past month, France is undoubtedly the place to ski in Europe.  As the forecast predicted; the snow has continued this week with a further 20 – 30cm falling and a further 50cm forecast tomorrow (Thursday).  Many resorts around France including Chamonix, Les Arcs and Tignes are already reporting snow bases of over 3m with both fantastic on and off piste conditions.

>>>  More information on ski holidays in France [caption id="attachment_2929" align="aligncenter" width="323"] 125cm of fresh snow at the top of the Funicular in Tignes![/caption] Canada Conditions also remain good in Canada where most resorts in Alberta and British Columbia are sitting on snow bases of well over 2m.  Following an incredible November with over 11ft of snow in areas it looks like the slight dry spell in December has come to an end.  In the past 7 days Whistler welcomed 125cm of fresh snow, taking the accumulated snow fall to date this winter to 449cm!  Further inland Fernie also saw a good snowfall, with 61cm hitting the mountains over the past week, bringing the snowpack up to 175cm. >>>  More information on ski holidays in Canada [caption id="attachment_2932" align="aligncenter" width="366"] Whistler following 100cm of snow in 7 days! Photo: Coast Mountain Photography[/caption] USA Despite snowfall in the USA being lower than last winter, many resorts are still reporting good on piste conditions.  One exception in the USA, and matching its big mountain skiing and snow record, is Jackson Hole who had a welcome dump of 75cm last week allowing the resort to open in full. >>>  More information on ski holidays in the USA [caption id="attachment_2934" align="aligncenter" width="386"] Celebrating New Year and 75cm of fresh snow in Jackson Hole. Photo: Chris Figenshan[/caption]

 

For first hand advice on where to find the best snow conditions and accommodation offers, call a member of the Ski Independence team on 0131 243 8097, visit our website or request a quick online quotation.

 

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