Skiers around the world welcome first snow of the season!
Skiers and mountain lovers around the world have been celebrating recently as the first glimpses of snowfall are spotted in various locations around the world. From France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy in Europe to the northern U.S. states and Canada heading towards their winter regalia of snow, many have been asserting that ‘winter is coming’ for the ski season.
In most resorts around the world, the official ski season doesn’t begin until slightly later in the winter. For example, ski holidays in Courchevel begin around December, when the resort turns into an icy wonderland perfect for skiers of all levels, snowboarders and Alpine enthusiasts. If you’re as excited about winter 2016/17, here are the latest updates from social media about the approaching season of snow!
Lech, Austria
As Lech Zeurs show in their photo, the ski season is just around the corner in Europe. In Lech, Austria, a light sprinkling of snow greeted ski lovers, bringing with it a tantalising taste of the excitement of the winter to come.
Melchsee-Frutt, Switzerland
Many parts of Switzerland have recently been inundated with snow, which reached depths of 20cm in some regions according to Le News. This is quite normal for the country, where at altitude snow appears each year in mid-October.
Passo del Tonale, Italy
Italian news site The Local has recently reported “a blanket of snow” covering the Alps and the Dolomites around October 10th, with up to 20cm of snow sighted in some locations. Towns such as Cortina, Madonna di Campigilo and Foppolo in the Dolomites have welcomed snowfall, as have Alpine areas such as Lombardy. Some even fell as low as 1,100 metres.
Lapland, Finland
Local news sources in Lapland have recently been releasing accounts of the country’s first snowflakes. According to FMI Meteorologist Minna Haikonen, it was not enough go into the record books as the official first snow of the winter. However, more recent posts on social media as seen above certainly suggest that this may soon change!
Courchevel, France
As seasoned skiers in the French Alps begin tweeting and hash tagging ‘winter is coming’, Courchevel has certainly proved them right. A surprise overnight dusting of snow has covered many ski areas in France in October, with the ski season less than 3 months away. This sets an exciting precedent for ski holidays in France this winter!
Snowbird, Utah
The Rocky Mountains have been among the first to see snow in the U.S. In Utah, Snowbird has begun its winter transformation, with some locations seeing anywhere from 6 inches to a foot of snow. In neighbouring state Colorado, Loveland Ski Area received its first snow of the season as early as late August. Snow fell around 12,000 feet, area officials say.
Glacier National Park, Montana
The first powder of the year in Montana, USA, was recorded on September 9th in the high mountains of Glacier National Park. In Butte, the Montana Standard reports that 2 to 4 inches of snow fell in the second week of October, with temperatures dropping lower than they have been since March. Further to the west in Seattle, Washington, the first snowfall was spotted at Stevens Pass around the same time.
Lake Louise, Canada
Areas in Canada can be snowy for much of the year, but the seasons have really taken a turn towards winter recently as heavy snowfall has covered various towns and cities. As The Weather Network reported, the country saw its first snow warning in early September, with the Qikiqtaaluk Region in Nunavut posed to see up to 20cm of snow. Skiers and adventurers, though, have nothing but excitement for the snowy weather, from Nunavut to Alberta.