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If you want to experience optimal snow fun in the coming days, you should go to at least 2000 meters altitude. A current picture of a skier in Laax GR.
Jean Claude RaemyEditor Economics
After the joys of winter in mid-December, the past few days have been followed by disillusionment: At least in the Mittelland, there was nothing like a white Christmas. With the mild weather, some snow sports fans are wondering where to go skiing or snowboarding during the holiday season.
“You just have to go high enough,” recommends Reto Vögeli (38), CEO of the weather service provider Meteo News. “Over 2000 meters, the conditions are good throughout Switzerland.” There is currently between 30 and 70 centimeters of snow, occasionally more. According to Vögeli, this corresponds to around 70 percent of the long-term average of the usual amounts of snow at this time of year. A little more snow is expected in the coming days. Good snow conditions can be expected almost everywhere at high altitudes.
However, descents are difficult or impossible in some places. “There is currently a very pronounced snow line,” says Vögeli, “which means that the valley is mostly green, but the mountains have a lot of snow.” This is easy to observe in Andermatt UR (1400 meters above sea level) or Adelboden BE (1350 meters above sea level). Below 1700 meters there is little or no snow, between 1700 and 2000 meters there is leftover snow. That is why not all ski lifts are open in various ski areas.
Limited offer at low altitudes
Lower-lying ski areas are struggling to maintain their offerings. In Unterschächen UR, at almost 1000 meters, artificially snowed cross-country ski trails run through the green valley. The only children’s ski lift is closed.
“For ski areas at lower altitudes, the New Year’s business is over,” states Vögeli. “Below 1800 meters it looks bad for snow sports.” In these locations, no snowfall is to be expected in the coming days. The fact that there is not the greatest amount of snow in the Alps in December is not unusual. The largest amounts of snow usually only occur in the second half of winter.
Andres Lietha (57), Director of Engelberg-Titlis Tourismus AG, comments: “A wintry atmosphere in the lowlands would certainly be helpful on the weekends and for day tourism.” But thanks to the webcams, the snow sports enthusiasts would know what the conditions are like.
Optimum conditions in many places
There is comparatively much snow in Valais and the Bernese Oberland. There has recently been a lot of fresh snow in the Appenzell Alps.
The conditions are also relatively good in Graubünden, say those responsible. Among them Viktor Prinz (47), director of the Samnaun GR mountain railways: “The snow and slope conditions in the Silvretta Arena are currently excellent.” Because of the altitude of the ski area, which extends to almost 2900 m.a.s.l. extends, up to 30 centimeters of fresh snow could be recorded despite the heat drop of the last few days.
The Engadin also has better snow conditions than anywhere else – thanks to its altitude, the Graubünden region is one of the most snow-sure regions in the entire Alpine region. Jan Steiner (44) from Engadin St. Moritz Tourismus AG assures: “The ski areas are mostly open and the slopes are in perfect condition.”
There is less euphoria in lower altitudes. Thomas Egger (55), Director of the Swiss Association for Mountain Regions (SAB), called on lower-lying tourist destinations to realign themselves: away from snow sports, towards biking. The fact that temperatures of up to 15 degrees have been announced at the turn of the year gives his statements additional impetus.