after snowfall

Heavy Snow All Over Europe

There have been heavy snowfalls all over three major European mountain chains during the past week. And in the Alps white powder keeps falling. According to Skiinfo.com reports, over than 100 snow alarms have been announced in Switzerland, Austria and Germany by yesterday.

For the first time during this ski season snow depths in Austria have exceeded four metres. In the French Pyrenees and Spanish Sierra Nevada the snow cover is currently five metres deep and in the Swiss Alps and the Italian Dolomites it is even more impressing – about six metres.

Usually heavy snowfalls mean more fun for skiers, but sometimes – especially in the early spring – they may mean troubles. In many places there’s very high avalanche risk - level 4 mostly, which is the second highest risk level. So Easter skiers should observe all the avalanche safety rules and be twice as careful than usually. People are better to ski down the marked slopes and do not go offpiste.

Besides, the snowfalls have brought a lot of problems for resorts staff. Rolf Köberle of Kleinwalsertal Tourismus ski area commented: “For the staff on the slopes and from the road department it's a very tough job these days to get the slopes, roads, pavement and hiking trails fit for service quickly. The team are working especially hard however as sunny weather and warmer temperatures are expected from Friday onwards and we expect a lot of skiers will want to get here to enjoy the great conditions.”

Photo: by Stulli (wikimedia.org)

Date: 12/03/2009