Spring has taken hold in the mountains too, and the first signs that winter is now a memory come not only from nature, but also from human activity. A few days ago, snow clearing began at Passo Stelvio—a signal that the thaw is underway even at high altitude and that it is time to look ahead to summer and pack away a good winter season.
The Caterpillar has been laboriously carving its way through walls of snow (see live images) more than two meters high that since November 2012 have preserved Passo dello Stelvio in a natural vault awaiting the warmer season. From now on, bulldozers and snowplows will work tirelessly to reopen the roads leading up to 2,700 meters, clear the parking areas, and restore road access.
Winters on the Stelvio are so harsh that the pass must be closed: it would be impossible to cope with the bitter cold and the heavy snowfalls that dump meters of snow in just a few days during winter, so only in spring can the first snow-clearing vehicles cut through the snow in an operation that takes several weeks.
The abundant snow that falls throughout winter and spring is a vital resource for the glacier located at 3,000 meters—one of the most important in all of Italy and one of the most famous thanks to summer skiing.
Indeed, the Stelvio glacier is one of the last bastions of summer skiing in Italy, if not all of Europe: abundant snowfalls, high altitude, and exposure to cold air currents make this one of the best places to ski in summer. The glacier holds up remarkably well right through mid-August without eating into its ancient ice base, offering perfect slopes both for tourists and for the athletes of the various national ski teams training during the summer ahead of winter competitions.
In this summer 2013, the Stelvio will be one of the primary destinations for Italian skiers, since Val Senales has decided to end summer skiing, leaving many skiers and snowboarders with fewer options. The only two Italian destinations where summer skiing can be practiced will be Cervinia and Passo Stelvio.
The snow that fell this winter is in line with seasonal averages—no records broken, though spring weather forecasts bode well for building up “raw material” on the glacier. In fact, over the coming weeks heavy snowfalls are forecast at high altitude, which could bring more than 1 meter of fresh snow in just a few days.
The lift opening date is set for May 31, 2013 with the traditional “White Feeling Ski Adventure” opening event, and plenty of enthusiasts are sure to head up to high altitude to enjoy the abundant fresh snow.
All we can do is hope for a very snowy spring and a mild summer.
Useful links:
» Passo Stelvio snow webcam
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