A study by the Swiss Academy of Sciences released this week reports that the country’s glaciers’ ice volume declining by 6% over the spring and summer. Switzerland has more glaciers than any other Alpine nation. The Alps saw unprecedented high temperatures even at 3000-4000m altitude,  far above freezing. The hot temperatures followed below average snowfall last winter meaning there was less of a snow cot to reflect the heat from the ice and it quickly melted away. “2022 was a disastrous year for Swiss glaciers: all ice melt records were smashed by the great dearth of snow in winter and continuous heat waves in summer,” the academy said in a statement. The academy based its report on data collected by

It's already snowing the mountains above Chamonix, this picture was taken on the 29th September, credit Martin Zhor. This winter a new gondola will open at the Balme Ski Area in the Chamonix Valley, replacing the old lift up from the village of le Tour. The new-generation Doppelmayr 10-seater panoramic gondola has a capacity to transport 2,200 people/hour, which more than doubles the current capacity. It’s faster than the old lifts to with the 376m ascent completed in 5.26 minutes, a speed of 6m/second. Meanwhile work on the ambitious 53 million Euros development to replace the existing gondola down to the Mer de Glace glacier from Montenvers is well underway and due to begin opening for winter 23-24, next December.

American ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson has been killed while skiing the world’s 8th highest peak Manaslu. The accident happened soon after she began her descent as a small avalanche took her skis from under her, leading to a fatal fall. Her partner Jim Morrison reported that her body was recovered on Wednesday after a two day search, far below the point where she fell. Described as “the most accomplished female ski pioneer of her generation,” by Outside magazine Nelson, 49, from Telluride, Colorado, achieved exceptional feats during her life including dozens of first descents. In 2012 she became the first woman to climb both Mount Everest and neighbouring Lhotse within  24 hours. In 2017 Nelson made the first ski descent

Issued: 29th September 2022 By Patrick "Snowhunter" Thorne Southern Hemisphere European Roundup North American Roundup Asia Roundup World Overview The ski areas of the Southern Hemisphere continue to see ever more spring like conditions with warmer days and fewer sub-zero nights. There have been more snowfalls reported, but also some rain showers. More of the big resorts in the Andes closed for the season at the weekend and most of the rest there, as well as in Australia and New Zealand, will follow suit next weekend or the one after. At least one New Zealand centre has announced its intention to at least keep a terrain park open into November, however. Ski areas continue to open in the Alps, perhaps 2-3

In a further sign that the era of social distancing is (hopefully) behind us, Tignes has announced that its new Le Strike venue, which was first unveiled at the end of last season, will be bigger and better still this winter. The huge party venue spreads across 1,200 square metres, and includes four bars, a finger food corner and a VIP area located on an American school bus. Run by Les Étincelles hotel group and entirely dedicated to music, the venue has successfully created a colourful scene inspired by street art and is already very popular amongst partygoers in Tignes. This coming winter, après-ski entertainment will include live bands and resident DJs on Tuesday evenings. Unlike the nightclubs in the