Gletscher

There are many famous ski tours around Chamonix, although the Brèche Puiseux is not necessarily one of the best known in this country. However, the scenery is extremely impressive and the skiing is also very rewarding.

In search of new perspectives on the snow of tomorrow, PowderGuide author Lisa spoke to Klemens Weisleitner. He is an ecologist at the University of Innsbruck and studies glaciers all over the world. He talks to Lisa about the special features of the glacier ecosystem and why microplastics are not only found in washing machines, but also under the covers of glacier ice.

On the glacier in October, to South America in summer: skiing is always possible. Especially where there is snow. Or only where there is snow. But what do we need to do to still be able to go skiing tomorrow? For our author, the key lies in the snow of tomorrow - and in less self-optimization but much more mindfulness.

It felt more wintry in August, but nonetheless: the season is in the starting blocks (and PowderGuide is also slowly waking up from its deep slumber). Have you been to one of the glaciers for an opening party or to see if the edges are still holding?

Greetings, dear WeatherBlog readers! We are starting the season, despite high pressure and the corona crisis, because: Weather always works. And at some point, the weather will change again and so will the lockdown situation. And then you want to be well prepared! The other PowderGuide weather services (fresh snow forecast, PowderMap) will be switched on when it looks a bit more wintry.

Mountain glaciers and the seasonal snow cover play an important role in the local and regional water balance. When they change, the hydrological conditions also change - not only in the direct catchment areas, but possibly also far downstream. What exactly does this mean and what are the consequences, apart from "it's bad for the ski resorts" and "it looks stupid"?

As the author writes these lines, late summer temperatures have long since returned, but the mountains have recently seen the first signs of fall with the first snowflakes of the season. This naturally raises the question: when do the ski resorts open? We have done a bit of research and compiled a list of resorts that open before the end of November - without guarantee and with the note that ski resort websites are notoriously unreliable when it comes to such things...

With the current temperatures, a bit of cooling would be very welcome. On the one hand, you can cool off in a swimming lake or ice cream parlor, but on the other hand, snow is also cold and one or two lifts are still running or will be running again soon. If we have overlooked a ski area with summer operation, please add it in the comments. If you don't need lift assistance, there are of course many more opportunities for a few summer turns.

The WeatherBlog is slowly waking up from its summer slumber, even if the current weather is rather tempting to throw the alarm clock out of the window and turn over again. After the first hopeful harbingers of winter, a tough blocking situation has dominated events for some time now. Nevertheless, the block is shifting and temperatures are dropping. And: Tomorrow, the PG Weather Service will also start the season!

We no longer believed it, but the summer heatwave has come to an end and the last cold front has brought the first signs of fall, at least in the mountains. This naturally raises the question: when will the ski resorts open? We have done a bit of research and compiled a list of resorts that will open before the end of November - without guarantee and with the note that ski resort websites are notoriously unreliable when it comes to such things...

Due to the whims of nature, a glacier grotto has formed on the Steinberg route, which can even be accessed (carefully!) on skis or a snowboard. Conditions reporter Christian Berner describes his impressions.

Combating climate change and stopping the melting of glaciers: These are the ambitious goals of Whistler Blackcomb. But can one of the largest ski resorts in the world reduce its impact on climate change without sacrificing its economic interests?