Where to Ski And Snowboard - More ski resorts open thanks to early snow

More ski resorts open thanks to early snow

10th November 2012, by Abi Butcher

Skiers in the snow at Hochgurgl — the Austrian resort of Obergurgl has opened early

Snow has been falling this week and more is forecast across the Alps this weekend, with Obergurgl in Austria joining the ever-growing list of ski resorts opening early.

Conditions are so good in Obergurgl that the area of Hochgurgl has opened a week early.

We’ve had reports of excellent conditions in Cervinia in Italy this week, where 29cm of snow has fallen in the past 24 hours, adding to the base depth of 120cm. Four lifts are open in the Italian resort, while over the Swiss border in Zermatt conditions are equally good, with eight lifts open for skiers and a base depth of 150cm.

In France conditions have been so good in Tignes that the Double M opens today to Tignes Val Claret — check out the resort’s web cams here.

Val Thorens is opening on 24 November, and is already reporting 60cm at 3,200m and 30cm in the resort at 2,300m.

In Norway, the ski resort of Trysil opened last weekend, with Geilo opening next weekend and Åre today in Sweden.

And in the USA, nearly a foot of snow was dumped in the Lake Tahoe area at the end of this week, with another powder storm apparently on its way — great for the resorts opening this weekend and next.

Killington in Vermont opened its expert terrain, thanks to recent snowfall, saving the cannons for intermediate runs. Breckenridge opened for the season yesterday, Friday, 9 November, reporting a mid-base depth of 45cm, Winter Park is opening on Wednesday (14 November) and Heavenly next Friday, 16 November. Squaw Valley opens on 21 November.

In Canada, Lake Louise opens this weekend — conditions allowing because powder is expected over the next few days. Great for the World Cup events at the end of this month.