Global Warming and Snow
Global Warming and Snow by
Shaun Parker
Given the historic snow record of the last 2 years, skiers are only interested in the higher climes, and who can blame them?
Looking into the next 10 years, the European Economic Union has warned
property developers that a resort with skiing below 1500 metres will be
deemed unviable propositions for lenders.
The future effects of global warming will undoubtedly cause a slight
rise in average temperatures, but the long term weather outlook is that
there will be a rise in precipitation too. This is good news for
resorts above 1350 metres, because between December and April this
precipitation will turn to snow. Ultimately we are in for a positive
outlook for the future, so long as skiers steer clear of the low and
unreliable resorts.
Our advice for any pre season or Christmas skiers would be to aim for a
premium French resort with at least 70 percent of its skiing above 1500
metres.
Happily the French realise the importance of early season and Christmas
skiing, (especially for the British market), and so they are investing
in new techniques to retain and create snow, and quell any worries
about the future of European ski holidays.
All premium French resorts now have snow canons that pump water from
lakes and spray it into the cold air to form crystallised snow which,
once groomed, is as good as the real thing. They are also preparing the
ground so that it freezes fully in November to the critical 18cm depth
required to hold a base layer. Without this base layer, snow cover will
remain inconsistent for the season.
They are also perfecting their grooming techniques to store low
altitude snow up high, so that it will remain intact given a later
season rise in temperatures.
If you want to ensure good snow cover for your ski holidays then
consider resorts such as Tignes, Val d'Isere, Val Thorens, Les Arcs
2000, Chamonix and La Plagne. These are the highest resorts in France
which have the most snow sure and best kept slopes that ensure
excellent skiing right up until the end of April.
Resorts to avoid are the Eastern European resorts and less well-known
ski areas. The rise in popularity of these resorts has stemmed from the
relative in-expense of property and the low cost of living. The
eagerness of the larger Tour Operators to offer cheap skiing has
resulted in an over saturated market, because most skiers are
fortunately savvy enough to realise the poor snow records that hold in
these areas.
Sadly I hear that many Travel Agencies are selling bargain ski holidays
in Eastern resorts to the unassuming novice skier, but then if you take
the advice of a travel agent who has never even seen these resorts,
(let alone set foot on snow), you are destined to fall foul of their
ill advice.
Resist the temptation for ski deals to these low and unreliable areas,
take the advice of a niche (independent) Operator, and remember that
like everything is life, you certainly get what you pay for!
Shaun Parker has been involved with
Ski Holidays
for several years finding the best travel deals for hundreds of
clients. Visit Alpine Elements for more information on Skiing Holidays.
Article Source:
ArticleRich.com