It's been a roller coaster ride in the Alps this autumn, weather-wise. We've had several fresh snowfalls, followed seemingly every time by a spike in temperature. Last week temperatures stayed high all week as most ski areas found themselves in the grips of an Alpine föhn. But the end of October might also signal the end of autumn and the beginning of winter. Temperatures are finally falling and weather forecasters are predicting a possibility of fresh snow as low as 1000m. Is ski season finally here?
We've been able to share the occasional white webcam photos, but for the most part these snowfalls only stuck around for a day or two. Last week saw temperatures in the Alps rise as high as 20 degrees. Bludenz in Austria actually broke a temperature record, clocking in at 27.4 degrees. But Mother Nature finally seems to be relenting and answering our prayers for a strong start to ski season. From Tuesday, colder air should flow into the Alpine region, bringing with it the possibility of fresh snow.
Austria is expecting fresh snow starting tomorrow. In combination with the falling temperatures, this means the lower-lying ski areas should also finally receive their due. On Wednesday the snow line may fall as low as 1000m, bringing snow to many Austrian mountain villages. It won't be a lot - a foot at most - but it's a positive sign for the approaching winter. After Wednesday temperatures will stabilise again but will remain on the lower side. From Friday another warm front is predicted, raising the snow line back to 2000m and potentially bringing rain to the lower regions.
Elsewhere in the Alps a tad more patience is needed. While France and Switzerland may see some flurries today, the real snowfall won't come until Wednesday at the earliest. On the bright side, when it does come, ski areas like Tignes-Val d'Isère, La Plagne and Val Thorens may see up to 20cm of fresh snow. In the southern Alps in Italy, temperatures are expected to remain quite high and ski areas will receive a few centimetres of snow at most.
Temperatures in Scottish ski resorts are hovering between 0 and 5 degrees, with not much precipitation on the horizon. Apart from a dusting of snow in early October, hills have been fairly dry this month. But it's early days yet!
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
