Where did all the snow go?

Some resorts are really struggling from a lack of fresh snow at the moment, and with Saturday being the biggest opening day of the season, lots of people will be hoping the weather situation changes soon. The good news is that fresh snow is forecast over the next couple of weeks.

America is the best skiing in the world right now; fresh storms continue to dump loads of snow across the North West and even in the far east of the country.

AUSTRIA
The biggest ski areas are currently offering the most skiing, mainly thanks to state of the art snow making. Flachau is looking in good shape with great piste skiing under clear blue skies. Most lifts are open there. Hintertux is always a good bet for an early season session, with the best conditions being up top.

All in all there is lots of good riding to be had, but Austria, much like other Alpine countries, could really do with some new snow.

FRANCE
More lifts are open in Tignes and Val d’Isere and slopes are in superb condition. The big news at the moment is the sunny weather and more fresh snow is needed, especially below 2,000m.~ The best conditions can be found in the biggest, highest, most snow-sure ski areas like the Three Valleys and Paradiski. Other than these big players, the best snow is to be found in the Southern Alps in resorts like Vars and Isola 2000. France, like much of the European Alps would benefit from fresh snow.

SWITZERLAND
Excellent skiing can still be found, although it is predominantly in Saas Fee and Zermatt. Elsewhere the wait for fresh snow fall goes on. Saas Fee and Zermatt are the next in line, both resorts can expect snow falls to start by Monday December 19.

ITALY
Resorts in the Sella Ronda continue to offer skiing on entirely artificial snow bases. In the Milky Way region it is a similar case with on piste conditions fantastic but off-piste areas are desperate for new snow to arrive.

The good news is despite some lowering in snowfall totals, new snow is coming. Resorts around the Matterhorn like Cervinia and in the Monterosa area will potentially see snowfalls of around 30cms by Tuesday.

ANDORRA
Andorra has lots of good skiing on offer. It can be icy in places, but that is to be expected considering recent weather and lack of snow.

NORWAY/SWEDEN
Oppdal has had around 5cm over the last couple of days and Trysil has had a little dusting too. In Sweden, Salen is the place to be for skiable acres.

GERMANY
Oberstdorf is open for some limited piste skiing on a mostly artificial base. Feldburg remains closed as it awaits more snow.

BULGARIA
All three of our featured Bulgarian resorts are open. At the country’s premier resort, Bansko, the runs down to resort are formed purely from snow cannons, but further up there is some decent skiing to be found on some nicely groomed pistes. It is a similar story for both Borovets and Pamporovo.

USA
Many resorts are either reporting fresh snow or preparing for fresh snowfalls to fall before the weekend.

CANADA
Big White is looking in very good shape after recent snowfalls, Fernie has had 50cm over the last seven days, so there is still plenty of powder out there. Still only one lift operating in Kimberley, but a decent amount of snow recently means conditions have improved in the area. Over in Quebec, there has been tons of snow recently. Mont Sainte-Anne has had half a meter over the last week and Mont Tremblant isn’t looking half bad either.

The snow report is provided by The Ski Club of Great Britain. For more detailed information and weather forecasts, visit skiclub.co.uk.