The Alps are mild, so go west for the best fresh powder: Snow report

Mild temperatures and sunshine prevailed across the Alps on Thursday. Base depths are generally decent and at average levels for the northern Alps. Most lifts and pistes were open. An active weather front will arrive from the north-west today bringing heavy snow but also heavy rain; the freezing level is currently forecast to lie around 2,000m.

In Austria, lower slopes were soft. Weather conditions in eastern areas were best; resorts such as Schladming (60/90cm) and Obertauern (70/100cm) had good conditions. The extreme west of Austria has seen the best snowfall, so base depths are very good, for example in Damuls/Mellau (105/160cm) and St Anton (65/135cm).

In France, over the coming days, there will be sun and cloud. Today sees the possibility of fresh snow throughout the Alps. However, this may fall as rain lower down. Chamonix (20/300cm) and Argentière (20/200cm) are likely to see the best of the snowfall, with upwards of 40cm.

In Switzerland, temperatures will fall below freezing and fresh snow is forecast for much of today with around 10-20cm expected in many resorts. Again, this will fall as rain on the lower slopes in many regions.

There has been little change across Italy, with no new snowfall last week. Cervinia (65/180cm) was offering some of the best conditions, with upper slopes in excellent condition. Light snow is expected across much of the country this weekend, although this will fall as rain in some resorts. Cervinia and Courmayeur (110/180cm) are likely to see around 10-20cm of fresh snow.

Sunshine is forecast in Andorra for the weekend before a change on Tuesday with temperatures dropping by 10 degrees and some snowfall. In Bulgaria the sunny and settled spell is set to continue over the weekend, with little change on the horizon.

Great conditions remain in the US – with 50cm of snow expected this weekend in many places. Crested Butte (114cm) and Telluride (160cm) may receive a metre. On the east coast a light dusting of snow helped conditions, but milder weather is forecast, so expect the pistes to loosen up.

Light snow fell across much of Canada and doesn’t look likely to let up anytime soon.

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