Saturday 4th February 2012

Resorts Openings and Fresh Snow

Austrian Snow and Resorts

In the last few days, the snowy white powder has been falling in Austria. The heaviest snowfall was in the western Austrian resorts but snow fell across the country, so fresh powder skiing be easily located. On Thursday, Mayrhofen (3/25cm) opened for the first time this season, thanks to the fresh snowfall. Pitztal (36/164cm) has three opened lifts and Solden (15/130cm) has six lifts have been operating.

New Snow in France

Significant amounts of fresh snow have been falling across the French Alpine resorts,  advantage to the fresh snow. Tignes (82/140cm) and Val d’Isere (82/140cm) now have remarkable piste depths and there is fresh snow across the whole Espace Killy area. Les Deux Alpes (10/100cm) had a fantastic day skiing on Thursday.

French resorts scheduled to open on Saturday, December 10th,  include Les Menuires (32/80cm) and Meribel (30/80cm) in The Three Valleys. Courchevel (40/70cm) and Val Thorens (100/130cm) are now open. (more…)

European Ski Resorts, What’s New for 2012

In Austria, Saalbach is ready to welcome the new season with new charilists and gondola. Further upgrades and eplacement lifts are also ready to welcome visitors in Hintertux, Schladming and Kitzbühel.

In France, Val d´Isère, already a top-tier resort, now boasts almost 160 ski slopes. Valpark, one of the best snow parks in Europe has installed 8 new snow cannons. The old Rochassons chairlift in Châtel has been upgraded and to a comfortable 6-seater lift up to the 650km of the Portes du Soleil area! Valmorel also has a new 6-seater chairlift which will open for the Christmas holidays.

In Switzerland, Champéry has replaced the Grand-Conche chairlift to the Portes du Soleil ski area.

More news as it becomes available…

European Ski Resort Season Open Dates 2011-2012

The ski season is closing fast and we’re all looking for a great season of endless white powder. Most of the major resorts look to be opening in the first week of December this years with a few exceptions.
Chamonix (France) has already received substantial snowfall. The official resort open is the first week of December, but the area will be open for the last two weekends in November if snow conditions permit.
Resorts opening during the last week of November include Patscherkofel – Igls (Innsbruck, Austria) and Schmitten – Zell am See (Salzburg, Austria).