Snow Report - Latest Snow Update

12th March 2012

We are now approaching the last few weeks of winter and spring is at the door in Britain. It isn’t the case everywhere though and, as the days get longer, many places still boast fantastic snow conditions.

In Norway, the temperatures are currently just above freezing and everything is looking good for the famous Birkebeiner ski race taking place soon. With the latest snowfalls last week, the conditions are excellent and it seems the sun should be shining at the end of the week.

The forecast for Finnish Lapland is for more snow, adding to the solid cover already present. The temperatures, just around 0 degrees Celsius, are ideal to guarantee a great extra layer.

Sweden and the Icehotel should see some snow this week as well. The temperatures are still low (between -2 and -13) but there are some sunny days on the forecast.

Finally in the Pyrenees, the snow levels are excellent, with almost 2 metres at altitude after steady snowfalls last week. This week should be sunny with nice chilled temperatures creating ideal conditions.

Snow Report:  20 February 2012

After a few weeks of very low temperatures, a wave of milder weather brought some more snowfalls across Europe.

In the Dolomites, the solid cover present since the end of December has been maintained by the cold weather and a couple more snowfalls during the last 2 weeks. The forecast for the week is for sunny days with temperatures between 0 and 3 degrees Celsius: ideal conditions for days out on your skis or snowshoes!

Austria still boasts some of the best snow depths with still nearly 5 metres in Ramsau. And although the temperatures remain low (around -9 and -3 in Trins), the forecast is for sunny days here too.

In Slovakia, where our Tatra Winter Activity Week takes place, conditions are good too. After a 20cm snowfall over the weekend, the week should see some sun and although temperatures remain low in the mornings and evenings, the day time should be milder.

Despite the late arrival of the snow, the Pyrenees now have excellent snow conditions too. There is now about 1 metre of snow around Ax-les-Thermes (in both cross-country skiing resorts Beille and Chioula) and nearly 2 metres at altitude around Luchon.

Norway has seen a fair amount of fresh snow in the last few days (about 10cm just yesterday In Nordseter). More snowfalls are likely in the next couple of days, but the sun should come out before the end of the week.

With ideal conditions pretty much everywhere, the next couple of weeks should be very enjoyable on the snowy mountains!

We have all heard about it: arctic temperatures are sweeping across Europe and it looks like it is going to last for some time! As the UK received a considerable amount of snow, so did the European mountains, adding to an already solid cover in most areas.

The Pyrenees have seen more snowfalls and are finally catching up with the rest of Europe. There is now about 1.5 metres on the ground around Luchon and it is currently snowing on the Plateau de Beille but the forecast is for at least a few sunny days from tomorrow.

Austria still boasts some of the biggest amounts of snow received in the last decades. Although Chamonix is not far behind! Both regions have well over 4 metres of snow at altitude and about 1 metre in the valleys.

In Bosnia, temperatures below 0°C and snowfalls are on the forecast for the week. This should add to the great snow cover already present.

The Southern Alps have had more snow over the last two weeks. The Queyras and the Nevache Valley have fantastic snow levels and despite some cold temperatures the next week should be quite sunny.

All these snowfalls and cold temperatures mean one thing: the winter season is far from over!

Snow Report - 24 January 2012 

Epic snowfalls across Europe!

Over the last few weeks, Europe has seen some of the most amazing snowfalls of the last 10 to 20 years (some resorts have even said 60 years!). Certain areas have received over a metre of snow in 48 hours and in parts of the Alps, the highest mountains have seen nearly 6 metres of snow in just a month.

Austria is probably the big winner this winter with areas like Ramsau, where the valleys have received around 2.5 metres of snow and over 5 metres on the Dachstein Glacier.

Chamonix also boasts some amazing conditions, with over 4.5 metres of snow above 3000m. More snow in on the forecast for the next 2 days, but these should be followed by some beautiful sunny weather over the weekend.

The same goes for the Southern Alps, where conditions have been fantastic. Our local leader has sent us a picture of one of the groups, enjoying great snow and bright sunshine!

In Sweden, our Arctic Circle Dogsled Expedition should enjoy some great snow too: a solid cover is maintained by the current cold temperatures, and there is the chance for some more snowfalls in the weeks to come.

Nearby Norway has received plenty of snow since the beginning of winter, with quite important snowfalls in the last few days. There too the cold temperatures continue to maintain ideal conditions for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Slovakia currently has about 160m of snow on the ground in the Tatras region. This weeks’ forecast is for cold and snowy weather, but a few sunny days on the forecast.

If there was ever a time to try winter activities, it has to be this record breaking year!

Snow Report - 09 January 2012

You have probably heard it and we confirm it: there is a lot of snow all over the European mountains!

The Alps have already reached levels that are normally only seen by mid-February. Chamonix boasts 350cm (yes, that’s 12 feet!) at the top of the resort. Cogne also has a solid cover and the cold temperatures should continue to maintain it even with the sun shining bright.

After a slow start in Scandinavia, Norway is now the place to be if you love fresh powder: after the most recent snowfalls, there is a wonderful 20cm of fresh snow on top of the cover already there since before Christmas.

Much further South, Mount Etna has started the New Year with lots of snow as well as another memorable eruption. Unfortunately for Anna, one of our very own Exodus Italian staff, who joined the first departure, the eruption happened just one day after the group left. But she still came back amazed by this unique trip and with some great pictures of the snowy slopes.

Poland has seen some good snowfalls in the last few weeks, with a nice covering for most areas (20-30cm) and almost 2 metres in Turbacz. There are heavy snowfalls on the forecast for the whole week and its snowing now!

Austria is also still at the top of the areas with most snow at the moment. We have been keeping an eye on the weather forecast over the last three weeks and there has barely been a day when it hasn’t snowed! It almost seems too good to be true! The nearby Dolomites, despite a good pre-Christmas snowfalls (see Snowshoeing in the Dolomites video), were a little behind their Tyrolean neighbour until recently. Now our staff members have returned from cross-country skiing in Dobbiaco and have confirmed the snow is fantastic and still falling.

Overall the season is off to a great start, getting everyone in the Exodus office really excited about the winter!

After the late arrival of the snow this year, it seems the winter season is now well and truly started.

Austria and the Alps get the first prize with a fantastic snow cover in just a couple of weeks; well over 2 meters of snow in some areas and it keeps falling.

In Chamonix, the Val Ferret boasts nearly 3 meters of snow at 2300m.

Ramsau and Trins have both ideal conditions for winter activities with fresh snow and cold temperature to maintain the snow cover and allow for more snowfalls.

But other regions are now catching up: the Pyrenees have seen more snowfalls over the last week, it is currently snowing and the forecast is for more to come.

The last couple of weeks have also been good for both Poland and Slovakia, where the snow has settled in various areas and particularly at altitude.

A positive forecast announces further snowfalls for next week.

After the snow arrived a couple of weeks ago (around 50cm), Norway has seen some cold and sunny days, creating ideal conditions for skiing and snowshoeing. There is more snow on the forecast here too.

Overall the snow situation is positive everywhere and this season is definitely starting to look like a really good one for all winter enthusiasts!

While cold temperatures and icy winds make for a gloomy journey to work in the UK do not despair! The chilly weather, part of a cold front sweeping across Europe, has brought the first impressive snowfalls of the season. It is time to get excited about what promises to be an epic winter!

Our local partners in Finland have sent us a picture of their first husky sledging day out and as you can see, the snow is fantastic!

In Sweden, the arrival of snow means the Icehotel is now in construction with new designs and creations for this season.

Austria has seen some incredible falls since the middle of last week, with places in the Tyrol receiving over 1 metre of snow in just a few days! And the forecast is for cold temperatures and more snow this week.

We also received some pictures from our local operator in Norway, where the snow conditions have allowed them to go for some cross-country skiing already. Around 40cm of snow have been reported and there’s more to come.

Finally France has also seen important snowfall in the Alps, with up to 1.5 metres at altitude.

With all the snow across Europe, it is time to dust off the skis, snowshoes and boots, and get ready for winter!

Snow Report - 01 November 2011

As the days get shorter and the clocks have changed, we can all feel the winter slowly approaching. And whilst in most of the UK the temperatures have remained mild so far, the mountains of Europe and Scandinavia have already seen their first snowflakes and forecasts say there’s more to come!

As the snowfalls become more frequent and the mountains get covered in white powder, we will be posting regular updates to let you know what the situation is like in each area we go to, so watch this space.

Although the snow hasn’t yet settled in most places, the resorts are getting ready to open, the Ice Hotel is designing this year’s rooms and these first snowfalls seem to announce a great winter season ahead.

Snow Report - 23 September 2011

We are excited to report that the first flakes of snow have fallen in the Alps! 

Yes it is now officially time to dust of your skis and dig out your goggles….winter is on the way! Although there has not been enough of a snowfall to warrant a full snow report our local teams have seen flakes falling in the French, Italian and Slovenian Alps as well as in the Dolomites. 

Below are photos taken high in the Italian mountains just this week. For winter enthusiasts it looks like the European mountain resorts are set to enjoy one of the best snow seasons on record. Let it snow!