Europe: Fresh Snow For Christmas

19th December 2009 | Alicia Taylor, Executive Editor, Europe

Resorts in this article: Alpe d'Huez, Alpe du Grand Serre, Andermatt Gotthard Oberalp Arena, Arabba Marmolada, Aussois, Autrans, Avoriaz, Carona, Cerreto Laghi, Champoussin, Cimone, Courchevel, Engelberg, Falcade, Falcade - Passo San Pellegrino, Kaunertaler Gletscher, La Clusaz, La Fouly - Val Ferret, La Rosière 1850, Laax, Le Collet d'Allevard, Les Gets, Les Saisies, Limone Piemonte, Lungern-Schönbüel, Morgins, Morzine, Pescasseroli, Pitztaler Gletscher, Winterberg Skiliftkarussell, St Bernard, Stoos, Torgon, Vals, Vercorin

Up to 70cm of snow has fallen in Europe today, creating perfect powder conditions just in time for Christmas. 17 powder alarms sounded off in Switzerland and France this morning.

Switzerland has had the heaviest snowfall today: Vercorin - after 70cm of snow yesterday - received a further 70cm today, and now has 140cm of fresh powder. 20-30cm has also fallen today in Lungern-Schönbüel, Champoussin, Stoos, Torgon, Morgins, La Fouly, and Super St. Bernard. Skiers in the popular Swiss resorts of Verbier, 4 Valleys, and Villars-Gryon also woke up to 15cm of powder.

The best skiing in Switzerland can now be found in Verbier (130cm/73cm); Andermatt-Gotthard (180cm/100cm); Laax (168cm/100cm); Engelberg (150cm/30cm); and Vals (150cm/120cm).

France has seen 20-40cm this morning in Aussois, Alpe du Grand-Serre, La Clusaz, Les Saisies, Les 7Laux, and Le Collect d'Allevard. Big-name resorts of Courchevel, Autrans, Avoriaz, Les Gets, and Morzine have also received 10-15cm today.

The best skiing in France can now be found in La Clusaz (120cm/15cm); Alpe d'Huez (110cm/40cm); and La Rosiere 1850 (110cm/55cm).

Italy has had a fresh dusting of snow today, with 10cm in Cimone, Cerreto Laghi, Passo Brocon-Marande, and Corno alle Scale. It has been snowing on and off in Italy for the last week, with 60-80cm recorded in Pescasseroli, Limone Piemonte, Falcade, and Passo San Pellegrino.

Italy actually tops the European snowfall table, taking the top three positions: Arabba Marmolada (312cm/55cm); Ghiacciaio Presena-Adamello Ski (310cm/300cm); and Carona (230cm/130cm).

Austrian resorts have received just 5cm today, but its glaciers are in excellent condition: Mölltaler Gletscher (230cm/90cm); Kaunertaler Gletscher (191cm/129cm); Hintertuxer Gletscher (170cm/20cm), and Pitztaler Gletscher (164cm/30cm).

The German resort of Thalerhohe was the only one in the country to set off a powder alarm today after receiving 20cm of snow. Most German resorts had just a light dusting this morning, but over the last seven days 30-35cm has fallen in Wintersportpark Sahnehang, Skiliftkarussell Winterberg, and Wintersportszentrum Sellinghausen.

No new snow has fallen in Spain or Andorra over the last seven days.

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