One idea being tested on several glaciers around the world in recent years has been to use snowmaking to create a layer of artificial snow in an effort to stop melting and even rebuild glaciers. However results of a study into using snowmaking on the Morteratsch glacier which has been running for two years in south-eastern Switzerland have found that while the process can slow melting, it does not stop it, nor does it stabilise the thawing glacier as a whole. In recent years glacial ice has more and more often been exposed to the direct heat of the summer sun as the ‘protective layer’ of winter snow is quickly melted off the ice during the spring. The darker ice

Issued: 22nd March 2023 By Patrick "Snowhunter" Thorne European Roundup North American Roundup Asia Roundup World Overview Marmot Basin After the huge snowfalls last week on ski slopes in both Western North America (once again) and Western Europe (more unusually this winter), the past seven days have been a lot drier and sunnier on both sides of the Atlantic. That's not to say there's been no snowfall, most areas in Europe and North America have seen more snowfall, with the Rockies, New England and Scandinavia posting the most in the last week. Spring is definitely here though and it's getting warmer, with freeze-thaw conditions the normal almost everywhere. More low-lying ski centres are also calling it a day on their

Italy’s Val Gardena is working to cut CO2 emissions with both short and long-term goals. The famous South Tyrol ski resort, with a commitment to sustainability that has now been confirmed with GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification, has targeted what’s been identified as the largest source of CO2 emissions in the province: transport. More than 40% of fossil fuel emissions is mostly caused by private cars, which in turn results in heavy traffic, especially at peak  times of the ski season. Val Gardena’s goals, by 2026, include creating a mobility centre which will develop projects for car-free and accessible connections. The targets include reducing traffic on mountain passes (Gardena Pass and Sella Pass) by 20%; increasing arrival on public

Ski resorts in the Alps have reported they received up to 1.6m (66”) of snowfall during the period from Friday to Wednesday. Many have seen their upper slope base depths jump by between a third and two-fifths after months of staying fairly static pr seeing a gradual decline. (Val d'Isere this week) Tignes is topping the charts, now up to 3.9 metres (13 feet) on the grand motte glacier, up 1.2m (4 feet) on a week ago.  Glacier 3000 near Gstaad (pictured below on Wednesday and top) has posted the biggest snowfall – 1.6 metres (over 5 feet) and re-opened on Thursday after several days digging out lifts and buildings. Cervinia say they’ve had 1.5 metres (five feet) of snowfall.

One of French Pyrenees resorts that have been battling season-long warmer-than-average temperatures and below-average snowfall have announced they’re giving up the fight and have closed for the season. Formiguères ski area, which is celebrating its 50th season this winter, posted on social media that, “Despite all the efforts we’ve made, tonight's weather gave a blow to the ski area (and) we will not be able to reopen the station for this season. Good conditions, quality and safety cannot be guaranteed.” After rain at the start  of the week temperatures are expected to be above +15C at the base of the slopes and above +10C at 2500m over the next few afternoons. The resort has lifts up to 2,320m and is