Alps records worst April snow cover ever

By Alexandra Williams

The unusually high temperatures coupled with the latest Easter for 68 years mean a disastrous end of season for many businesses, particularly those in lower resorts. Snow depths are up to 80 per cent less than average.

This follows record-breaking temperatures across the Alps in both January and February.

Season staff have been laid off early and many resorts have been forced to close already because of the lack of snow.

In France, the ski resort of Chamonix recorded the hottest April day since records began in 1951 when the mercury hit 79.5F (26.4C) on April 9.

In Bourg St Maurice temperatures have soared to 83.5F (28.6C) and at the snow research centre in the Chartreuse the hottest April temperatures for 40 years have been recorded.

Betony Garner, spokesman for Ski Club of Great Britain, said: "This season has the very unfortunate combination of a very late Easter and poor snow cover.

"The lack of snow, made worse by the hot weather, and the continued lack of confidence in the economy will almost certainly translate into a decline in the number of people who went on a snowsports holiday this season." Only La Plagne and Chamonix have reported fresh snow in the last week. The deepest snow depth at the tops of the mountains is now down to 6ft (1.8m) but even glacier resorts like Alpe d'Huez are reporting no snow left at resort level.

According to Meteo France this season has been one of the worst winters for skiers in 40 years.

Resorts such as the Val d'Arly had already seen a 10 per cent drop in turnover by February.

The higher resorts have cashed in on the plight of lower resorts. Chamonix had an increased turnover of almost 15 per cent by February as skiers searched for good snow.

In Germany only four resorts are still open.

And in Switzerland temperatures have been unseasonably high too.

According to the Institute For Snow and Avalanche Research in Davos, there is only half as much snow as average above 6,600ft (2,000m). Between 3,300ft (1,000m) and 6,600ft (2,000m) there is barely a quarter as much as usual.

A spokesman said: "Many resorts that conduct surveys have never been without snow this early and some of the records date back 60 years.

"The snow depths in the Alps are certainly far lower than average." The Director of Crans-Montana Tourism, Philippe Rubod, anticipates the Easter holiday will be "quieter than usual".

He said: "Hotels have announced a significant decline in the volume of bookings compared to last year, while about 15 per cent of them have already closed." There are also fewer bookings in Verbier.

But according to the resort spokeswoman Isabelle Hefti there is no reason for skiers not to book.

She said: "We suffer because we keep hearing everywhere that everything is closed but this is not the case. Verbier is open until May 1 and you can still ski down to the town." In the Vaud Alps, high temperatures forced Leysin to close for the season last Sunday.

"The tracks should have remained open until Easter Monday, but it was not possible any longer," said the tourism spokesman Leonie Neuffer.

"Because everything is very green now holidaymakers can walk instead." Telegraph