* More Heavy Snow In Western North America
* Quieter In Europe
* Heavy snow in Russia leads to cancellation of international freeride contest at 2014 Olympics resort.
* Seven feet of snow (2.1m) in seven days at Utah’s Snowbird.

Europe has had quite a quiet week in terms of fresh snowfall but in most areas temperatures have been low, helping to maintain snow quality, and small snowfalls have helped freshen up terrain at a number of centres. In North America there have been more huge snowfalls on the west side of the continent.

In France, the cold temperatures have kept the snow in excellent condition for skiing. There’s been little new snow, except for a big snowfall recorded on Monday in the country’s Vosges region. Otherwise resorts have received 10 to 20cm (4-8 inches) through the week. However new big snowfalls are expected for tomorrow, Thursday.

Laurie Martin Communications Officer of Montgenèvre told us, “Snow conditions are optimal in Montgenèvre with 220cm at the top of the slopes and 160cm at the bottom. The whole area has been open since the end of December and the connections with the “Voie Lactée” (Milky Way) are also open, which is not always the case at this time of the year. The coming February holidays will be good for skiers. It has been snowing steadily since mid-December and we have a very good season, with skiers happy. The snow cover is good and stable and we expect new snowfall on Friday.”

Chamonix will host the Nissan Freeride on Saturday and then stage the postponed opening event on the next suitable day afterwards. The Russian event was due to have been staged in the 2014 Olympic venue of Sochi last week but had to be cancelled due to strong winds and heavy snowfall there.

Chamonix currently has the deepest snowbase in France with 3.9m (13 feet) on upper slopes. Flaine has 2.65m (nine feet), La Clusaz 2.6m (8.7 feet) and La Grave 2.5m (8.3 feet).

Snow began to fall again in Austria and Germany in recent days with more new snow forecast for tomorrow and in to the weekend – especially in the western Vorarlberg, Tirol and Salzburg provinces. Temperatures have been as low as – 20 degrees and colder in some parts.

The deepest snow is on the glaciers (Mölltal 330cm/11 feet, Kaunertal 209cm/7 feet on upper runs). Sölden got the most snow in the country this week with 25cm (10 inches) with Kleinwalsertal reporting the biggest single fall of 17cm (six inches). Maria Alm/ Hochkönig and Alpbach had 10cm (4 inches) each.

It’s a similar picture in Switzerland where Elm reported the most new snow of the past week, with 30cm (a foot) accumulated. Disentis, Davos and Saas Fee got 12-15cm (5-6 inches) each. Andermatt has the biggest snow depth with 210cm (7 feet). Saas Fee and St Moritz have only a few centimetres/inches less.

Italy has also had a quiet week although low temperatures have brought some snow at low altitude in the North of the country and also in the central Appennine mountains. It’s snowing there now with Limone and Prato Nevoso in the north west reporting 20-25cm (8-10 inches) so far today. The Presena and Marmolada glaciers both have the most snow with about 3.9m (13 feet) on upper slopes, Bormio has 3 metres (10 feet).

The cold weather has extended as far as Belgium where recent fresh snow fall (10cm/4 inches on 24 Jan), combined with the cold temperatures (-5°to -15°C) has led some nordic resorts in the East of the country to re-open their tracks. Baraque Michel, Mont Spinet and Losheimergraben are offering Nordic Skiing on 10cm of snow. Other resorts, and hopefully also the Alpine resorts will follow as more cold and snow is predicted for next week.

There’s been little new snow in the past week in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. Base depths in Andorra remain relatively good with 60-130cm (2-4.3 feet) at most areas providing perfectly adequate cover on all but the steepest slopes. A new terrain park has also opened at Cerler in Spain, claiming to be the largest in the country with 18 lements and a length of 2.5km

Although there has been little new snow this week, cold weather has helped Spanish ski resorts to maintain and improve conditions on the slopes and Cerler has some of the deepest snow in the country with 175cm (nearly 6 feet) on upper slopes. Typically resorts have 30-105cm (1-3.5 feet) at the base of their runs and 150-210cm (5-7 feet) on upper slopes. However Sierra Nevada in the south reports the greatest snow depth of three metres (ten feet) at the top and Formigal has the most terrain open with 136km (80 miles) of runs. More snow is expected tomorrow.

In Eastern Europe there have been some snow showers, particularly in the Czech and Slovak Republic, but it remains a moderate, if improving, first-half of the season in Bulgaria where cover remains rather thin at Borovets and Pamporovo, although better in Bansko.

Scandinavia has not had much snow in the past week, with regional leader Are reporting 7cm (three inches) of new snow on Monday and Nalovardo this most with 11cm. The weather looks set to change in the next 24 hours with snow almost everywhere (It’s already falling) and up to a foot (30cm) of new stuff expected in the next few days in the mountains.

Resorts in Norway have begun issuing powder alarms today and Kvitfjell has one of the biggest snowfalls of the past week, with 33cm (13 inches) accumulated.

In Scotland conditions are excellent at Cairngorm, which continues its superb season with up to 1.8m (six feet) on upper slopes and 60cm (two feet) on lower runs. The area has been closed for prolonged period over the past three weeks as heavy snow blocked roads and buried lifts and restaurants, but is now fully open with great conditions. The two other eastern Scottish ski areas at Glenshee and The Lecht don’t have as much snow but do have enough to be in great shape. On the West Coast the other two Scottish areas of Glencoe and Nevis range are open but with less snow.

Heavy snow up and down North America’s Pacific Coast has brought huge snow accumulations to most resorts, and also caused operational difficulties at some.

In the north there’s been yet more now at Whistler, with the Olympics now just over a fortnight away. Its season-to-date snowfall is now nearly 10 metres (30 feet). Fellow host Cypress Mountain also had a respite from the thaw and rain that is threatening the snowboarding and freestyle venues, with some fresh snow there too.

To the south of the region thousands of southern Californians who flocked to Mountain High resort in the San Gabriel Mountains, which has received five feet (150cm) of snow in recent storms, were turned away by police due to dangerous road conditions and diminishing fuel and food supplies. Truck convoys were organised to deliver food, supplies and fuel to the area on Monday, with roads re-opening that evening. However more snow is forecast, if on a smaller scale.

John McColly, Mountain High’s Director of Marketing said, “There is a reason I am in this business. And this is it. Skiers and snowboarders that braved the storm are grinning from ear to ear. And I’m one of them.”

With the fresh snow there is an enormous temptation to go out of bounds but both Mountain High and the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s department advise against that.

Says McColly, “Anything outside of Mountain High’s boundaries is not patrolled so if you run into any trouble, you are on your own. There is plenty of terrific tree skiing and natural terrain within Mountain High’s permitted area so stay in bounds, enjoy the fresh snow, and be safe.”

It’s a similar story at other western resorts, Jackson Hole has reported more than three feet of new snow, Snowbird in Utah, seven feet in seven days.

Up in British Columbia, monumental snowfall over the last week has created perfect conditions at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. With a mid-mountain snow base of 320cm and 399cm at the top, the resort is once again the home of Canada’s deepest snowpack. The news couldn’t be any better for the first wave of Olympic athletes who arrive this week to train at the Island mountain. “We received over a metre and a half of snow in the last six days,” says Resort spokesperson Brent Curtain.

The Chinese Biathlon team arrived in the Comox Valley late Thursday and hit the snow on Friday, January 22nd. The team will train at the mountain’s popular Nordic Centre, an obvious choice for numerous cross-country and biathlon teams over the next month. A total of 26 teams from 15 countries are performing their final on-snow preparations at Mount Washington before heading back to the Lower Mainland and Whistler for the Games.

It’s been less promising on the East coast with warmer weather and some resorts reporting rain over the weekend, but it’s now colder in most areas and Smugglers Notch in Vermont is among those reporting fresh snow in the past 24 hours.

Elsewhere in the world, Japan’ Niseko looks set for record breaking January snowfall.

“Consistent snow falls for the last two weeks of December and another metre to celebrate the New Year here in Niseko have made for some epic skiing conditions with waist deep powder for everyone! With a village average top temperature of -2 °C and an average low of -8 °C since the New Year the base is in great condition. Get ready for some of the lightest, driest powder on the planet- the forecast is for continued moderate to heavy snow falls for the next week.” said an excited Ski Japan statement

* Whistler Snow Depth Reaches 3m.
* Scottish Ski Resort Closed For A Week By Snow
* Heavy snow in the Pyrenees – great on piste, high avalanche risk off piste.
* A foot of snow in the Czech Republic.

There’s been more snow in the Alps, leaving good conditions at most resorts. However the Pyrenees and the West Coast of North America have reported the biggest falls of the past even days, giving great powder conditions, but also a big avalanche danger off piste.

There’s been snowfall across France in the past week, with resorts reporting at least 20cm (8 inches) of new snow in a 24 hour period.

There was snow in all of the country’s main ski regions including the Northern and Southern Alps, with the Pyrenees receiving the largest falls. Here Cauterets received 80cm (nearly three feet) of new snow on January 15, then got more good falls two days later on the 17th.

Thibaut Deserces, Manager of “La Maison de Peyragudes” – the tourist office for the French Pyrenees resort of Peyragudes commented on the latest falls there.
“More than 50cm of fresh snow is lying at the bottom of the slopes, thanks to the snowfall on Thursday and Friday. Peyragudes woke up Friday morning with bright sunshine and then a large amount of snow fell through the night. The snow depth is now excellent with more than 110cm on upper slopes. ”

In the northern Alps with Avoriaz reported 25cm (10 inches) of new snow while la Grave in the Southern Alps reported 30cm (a foot).

Chamonix continues to have the deepest snow in France and the whole of Europe with four metres (13.3 feet) on upper slopes. Flaine has 275cm (9 feet), La Clusaz 260cm (8.7 feet).

The snow has fallen in perfect time for a free gear testing weekend coming up at La Grave. This will include safety information, freeride backcountry skis, snowboards, Telemark, and even monoski testing followed by a live music night on the 23rd and 24th.

Italy has had a quieter week with little new snowfall although Obereggen reports 45cm (18 inches) in the past seven days and Courmayeur 15cm (six inches. More snow is expected in the north of the country tomorrow. The deepest snow of any ski area in the world is on the Presena Glacier above Passo Tonale still which has 4.3m (14.3 feet). The Marmolada glacier has 3.8m (nearly 13 feet).

In Austria the resort of Loser Sandling Altausee has had some of the biggest snowfalls in Austria in the past week.

Egon Hierzegger, director of Loser Mountain Railways commented. “During the past two days 40cm of new snow fell above 1500m. After the snowfalls ceased on Monday night the powder snow conditions – which I enjoyed myself when the lifts opened this morning – were excellent.”
Loser has 120cm (four feet) of snow on upper slopes and 40cm (1.3 feet) on lower ones now. “All four chair lifts and the children’s lift are open. But for the T-bars we need 1,5-2m of snow to prepare the trail”, Hierzegger said.

The top snow depth in Austria is still on the glaciers with the Mölltaler Gletscher reporting up to .1m (10.3 feet), the Kaunertal glacier 213cm (7.2 feet), the Hintertux glacier 205cm (6.8 feet) and the Pitztal glacier 200cm (6.6 feet).
Other resorts with snowfalls the past seven days include Sölden, Lech Zürs, Zauchensee and Eben with 14-25cm (6-10 inches) of new snow.

In Switzerland 11 resorts have a snow depth of two metres or more, including Saas Fee and St. Moritz. The past week brought at least 20cm (eight inches) of new snow to many resorts including Meiringen, Leukerbad and Lötschental. The latter has the greatest snow depth in the country (223 cm/7.4 feet) but Andermatt-Gotthard has almost the same amount of snow on upper slopes.

On Sunday and Monday Germany had a couple of powder falls especially in the Bavarian Forest where Hohenbogen got 42cm (17 inches) of new snow in a week.

“On the Arber, the highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest, we have about a metre of snow now”, said Ulrike Eberl-Walter of Ostbayern Tourism. “All lifts are in operation and the cross-country trails are prepared.” Hans Amann of Ski Lifts Sankt Englmar said: “We are especially happy to have so much new snow. The slopes that were already well-prepared got up to 40 cm of new snow – which stirred the skiers’ and snowboarders’ blood!”

The biggest snow depth in Germany is still on the Zugspitze (180 cm) and at Oberstdorf-Nebelhorn (170 cm).

Conditions have improved again in Andorra with most areas receiving around a foot (30cm) of new snow in the past few days bringing base depths up around the metre mark at most resorts with fresh powder on top.

More snow in the Spanish Pyrenees has made conditions great on the groomed pistes but very dangerous off piste with an increased the chance of avalanches. In Formigal five season ski passes have been confiscated after five skiers caused an avalanche. Formigal’s spokeman has criticised people who take unnecessary risks, get into trouble and put in danger the lives of skiers and the members of the rescue services.

Formigal currently has the most terrain open in Spain with 122km (76 miles) of piste to enjoy and a base of 105-220cm (3.5 – 7.3 feet) Baqueira Beret has a similar snow depth and 110km (70 miles) of piste open.

Sierra Nevada in the south is reporting the deepest snow depth in the country with 50-300cm (20 inches – 10 feet) and 83km (51 miles) of runs. Due to extreme weather conditions upper station lifts were closed until yesterday when Laguna de las Yeguas Ski Area was opened. In the next few days all ski lifts are expected to be in operation and the complete domain will be open for skiing with over 100km of runs.

There’s also been fresh snow in most Eastern European resorts, particularly good news for Bulgaria where cover was getting decidedly thin at Borovets and Pamporovo, although Bansko has at least 60cm (two feet) lying. The other two could still do with more though as there’s only 15-20ccm (6-8 inches) on lower slopes.

Resorts in the Czech and Slovak Republics have reported widespread snow, the largest fall at Železná Ruda – Belveder which reports a foot (30cm) of new powder.

Scandinavia’s ski areas have had a relatively quiet week with temperatures rising to a more normal few degrees below zero at most areas. There has been limited snowfall in the past seven days although one small Norwegian centre posted more than 50cm (20 inches) of new snow in the past week and the larger resorts of Gålå and Kvitfjell both had 20cm (8 inches).

In Sweden there has been 3-5cm (1-2 inches) in a couple of resorts, but otherwise just flurries in sight for the weekend. Student Ski Week has started in Åre and will continue for three weeks with lots of competitions and apres-ski events.
All five ski areas in Scotland are open, although conditions are reported to be better at the Eastern resorts of

Cairngorm, The Lecht and Glenshee where the main problem has been getting access to the ski slopes with snow and ice on access roads.

Cairngorm Mountain was closed for the past week as staff attempted to ‘dig the resort out from, ‘too much snow’

In North America conditions are reported to be good on both East and West coasts with most resorts on both sides off the continent seeing at least some fresh snow in the past week.

On the East Coast snow depths are typically 60-120cm (2-4 feet), which is considered a healthy base in the area.

They’re not much different at Colorado’s resorts, where the stats are less impressive due to the usual abundance of snow in the leading US ski state.

In both Canada and the US the heaviest snow of the past week and the deepest bases are on the far West Coast. In the US, Squaw Valley in California has seen the second wave in an ongoing series of winter storms has leave over two feet (60cm) more snow in the past 48 hours. Recurring storm waves are forecast to continue for the next few days, delivering several feet of additional snow and setting up the resort with exceptional conditions into the core of the season ahead. The resort has received 17 feet (over five metres) of snow so far this season and is 100% open.

In Canada the latest storm to hit Whistler Blackcomb has dumped 70 centimetres (28 inches) in 24 hours at the weekend, immersing the resort in deep winter conditions. Although the heavy snow and high winds prevented a number of lifts from opening until conditions improved.
Other resorts in British Columbia have also been reporting big snowfalls.

“Even with all the snow this year, this latest storm was one of the most intense we’ve dealt with in a long time,” said Doug MacFarlane, Whistler Blackcomb’s mountain manager. “Ski Patrol has been conducting extensive avalanche control work, and Operations crews have been working throughout the night and day digging out. For those guests who endured the storm, the rewards were plentiful as there were many fresh tracks to be had.”

The snow base is on the verge of reaching three metres or 9.8 feet. With the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games now less than a month away, the resort is primed ready to welcome the world to its snowy slopes.

* Chamonix Snow Tally Reaches 4m.
* Rain at 2010 Olympic Venue closes slopes.
* 2km long snow slope opens in The Netherlands, ride up provided by free six-seat chairlift..
* Good conditions in the Alps .
* Good conditions in North America.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is currently reporting the deepest snow in Europe with a four metre (13.35 feet) accumulation.

The new snow last week, particularly on Friday, saw the French mountains receive healthy increases to their snow depths.

Further snowfalls are expected for the end of the week, particularly on Thursday with around 30cm (a foot) more snow expected at Tignes and Val d’Isere with Argentière and La Clusaz expecting 25cm (10 inches) more.

The Grand Massif area is also doing well with 270cm (nine feet) of snow lying.

Pierre Claessen, Manager of Flaine Tourist Office said, “This year, we received the most important snowfalls at Christmas. The snow is really good but people have to be careful when free riding as conditions off piste are very dangerous at the moment.”

The avalanche risk is especially high (4/5) at Abriès, Alpe du Grand-Serre, Auron, Ax les Thermes, Isola 2000, Les 7Laux and Serre Chevalier.

Switzerland has seen good snow falls in the past week with 40cm (16 inches) of new snow at Gstaad – Glacier 3000, which now boasts some of the deepest snow in the country with 181cm (six feet) of snow on upper slopes and 45cm (18 inches) in the valley.

The top snow depths in Switzerland however is at Andermatt-Gotthard with 220cm (over 7 feet). Saas Fee has 210 cm (7 feet) and St. Moritz just a little less with two metres (6.65 feet), it received 45cm (18 inches) more snow in the past seven days.

In Austria, Sölden had 37cm (15 inches) of new snow in the last week (it now has a 185cm/6.2 foot base)and Heiligenblut 35cm.

The Mölltal G0acier still has the most snow in the country (3.1m/10.3 feet) with the Hintertux Glacier on 205cm (just under 7 feet).

Germany received a lot of new snow with several powder falls in Bavaria yesterday. This came at the end of a week in which more than 80 German resorts reported 10-45cm (4-15 inches) of new snow.

The Zugspitzplatt has the deepest snow depth with 180cm (six feet) Oberstdorf has a little less with 170 cm (5.7 feet).

Northern Italy has reported some of the biggest snowfalls in the past 24 hours with Courmayeur and Val Senales both reporting 40cm of new snow, La Thuile 30cm (a foot).

These top off a week of heavy snow in the north of the country which has seen some of the biggest snow accumulations in Europe of the past seven days, with Limone Piemonte reporting 195cm (6.5 feet) and Arabba Marmolada 120 cm (four feet).

The country also has some of the world’s greatest snow depths – the Presena glacier above Passo Tonale reporting 430cm (14.3 feet) and Bormio 3m (10 feet).

Bormio will be staging a special non-competitive Peak to Creek event (peaktocreek.it) on January 16th at 10am with a 10km, 1800 vertical metre descent from Cima Bianca 3012m down to Bormio 1215m itself.

It’s been good news in the Pyrenees in the past week too with plenty of new snow boosting the previously rather average conditions in Andorra and helping Spain’s resorts open more runs.

In Eastern Europe conditions remain largely good in northern countries but less so in the south with some ski areas in Bulgaria such as Borovets and Pamporovo struggling with just a few centimeters of snow and warm temperatures.

Bansko is not suffering as badly as it had built up a bigger snow base in December and most runs are open there.

In Northern Europe temperatures have been low across Scandinavia although there’s been less fresh snow than the previous week. In Sweden Hemavan broke the season record with – 40.8 C on Saturday night. More snow is expected across the region at the weekend.

One unusual twist on the cold weather that is affecting much of the northern hemisphere is the opening of a new 2km long ski run opened on January 9th in the southern Netherlands in northern Europe. The temporary trail winds down around the 90m high Wilhelmina mountain.

The ‘mountain’ – which is in fact a spoil heap from a former mine – is already home to the world’s largest year round indoor snow centre, Snow World Landgraaf, with its 550m slope.

In a remarkable twist the centre allowed its indoor six-seater chairlift to be used by skiers and other snowsports fans to reach the top of Wilhelmina indoors, exiting the building through an emergency exit. Hot chocolate with whipped cream and mulled wine were served up to visitors.

It is not clear how long the snow and thus the ski run will last, but temperatures have remained around freezing, dropping to minus 5 Celcius at night, the same as the indoor temperature at SnowWorld.

Conditions are still generally good across North America. All the resorts in Tahoe as well as Mammoth in California are open and reporting fresh powder and a base of 6 to 9 feet (1.8-2.7m) in Mammoth, 3 to 6 feet (90cm -1.8m) in Squaw Valley and 2 to 3 feet (60-90cm) in Heavenly. It has been a dry winter in California to date with no threat of avalanches.

At Vail Rob Katz, Chief Executive Officer commented on the start of the season, “We are pleased with our early season, particularly given the current state of the economy and since snowfall came late to our Colorado resorts this year. Below average snowfall at our Colorado resorts leading up to the holiday season limited the amount of terrain open, which negatively impacted skier visits, including pass visits, during the early season and the beginning of the holiday season. Fortunately, recent winter storms brought significant snowfall to our resorts, which allowed us to open the vast majority of our lift serviced terrain at our five resorts. For example, Vail Mountain on December 18, 2009, had only 19 of its lifts and 28% of its terrain open, whereas Vail Mountain now has 30 lifts open and 95% of its terrain open, including all of the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin.”

Whistler has reported more fresh snow and the pattern has been repeated at many other Western Canadian resorts in resorts in Alberta and British Columbia. Whistler has a 2.35m (7.5 foot) base on the upper mountain and has received around 3cm (a foot) of new snow in the past few days.

However further south Olympic venue Cypress Mountain was forced to close on Monday due to heavy rain – not a great sign with the Games three weeks away and the half pipe needing to be maintained in good shape.

On the East Coast the weather has quietened down after the New Year storms with limited fresh snow in the past week. But most areas now have healthy bases and the weather has been cold enough for more snow making, so getting chance to clear access roads and prepare the pistes properly is seen as a good thing by most resorts.