Excellent Snow throughout the European Alps
We have had approximately two metres of snowfall in the last week. The snow has been so prolonged that lifts were shut down, the train has been finishing at Chamonix and not going onwards to Les Grands Montets. Some roads have been closed past our luxury chalet and avalanche warnings issued.
Compare this to 2 seasons ago, when we experienced the unbelievably mild Feb weather conditions, mud appearing on the ski slopes, and reports that climate change would mean the end of the ski industry in the European Alps. Highlighting this the OECD’s report from 2006 predicted that global warming could make snowboarding far too costly for the majority of holiday makers, with one third of ski towns becoming insolvent and the thawing of alpine glaciers. Glaciologists say that it’s virtually impossible to assign the seasonal deviations in the weather patterns to the consequences of climate change.
We may be experiencing the worst downturn in almost 30 yrs, and the Pound Sterling has dropped to more levels versus the euro, however the snowboarding is fantastic, and the last reservations prove that people are enthusiastic to revel in the great skiing conditions. It is probably the best in eight seasons, and a lot of skiers are saying it is the best skiing snow in 10 winters.
All the same remember that lots of snow like this means big risks of avalanche.
