Where to ski this week

Excellent skiing both on and off the piste is currently available in many resorts across Europe after more snow fell this week…and there’s more on the way in the early part of this week when a new storm is expected to hit the north and western Alps.

The avalanche danger has fallen in some European resorts, however the Ski Club of Great Britain, which provides comprehensive up to date snow reports, is urging skiers to check the conditions in their local area before heading away from the groomed pistes.

AUSTRIA

Conditions here excellent and as you might expect, the deepest base depths are reported at the glacier resorts, in particular Kaunertal has just under two and a half metres of snow on the upper slopes. Pitztal and Solden are also in superb shape with around two metres of snow on the upper slopes.

FRANCE

So far, January has been a very snowy month in France, transforming the mountains and making it feel very wintry. Over the last seven days many resorts have received around a metre of new snow, providing powder skiing conditions on and off the piste.

Over the last week the Northern Alps have done very well, with the likes of the Portes du Soleil, Grand Massif, Chamonix Valley, Three Valleys, Espace San Bernardo, Paradiski and Espace Killy ski areas receiving around a metre of fresh snow.

Off piste there has been lots of powder to enjoy but the avalanche risk has remained at the higher levels, and caution is still needed. In some locations it has dropped to 3 out of 5, but it is very important to make sure you check the avalanche report in the local area.

In the Southern Alps and the Pyrenees the skiing is very good too, even if the snowfall totals over the last week are not quite as high as those further north.

SWITZERLAND

Between 10 and 20cm of fresh snow fell on the peaks across much of the north and eastern Switzerland, with the resorts of Andermatt, Engelberg and Flims/Laax adding further to their already impressive snow depths.

The southwest saw much more moderate totals, with Zermatt missing out entirely.

Light snow is likely to fall across many resorts over the early part of the week, although this will be focused largely in the southwest and eastern regions of the country.

ITALY

Pistes in the Dolomites region are in good condition thanks to some much needed snow fall at the beginning of last week. Sunshine will continue to be the theme over the week ahead, with occasional spells of light cloud.

The Milky Way has seen improvement to lift operations in the region over the weekend, with some of the resort linking lifts able to get turning for the first time this season. This has dramatically increased the amount of skiable terrain in the resorts of Sestriere and Sauze d’Oulx.

ANDORRA

Good skiing is currently on offer across many resorts in Andorra, with pistes on the upper mountain in good condition. The best skiing in the region can currently be found in the resort of Soldeu where there is good snow coverage and a good lift operation in service.

NORWAY/SWEDEN

Good conditions still persist in across most major resorts in Norway. Low temperatures have ensured that the snow has stayed in fantastic condition, with good piste conditions available thanks to a light dusting of snow at the back end of last week. 

In Sweden, Are is currently enjoying the best of the current conditions having seen 15cm of snowfall over the weekend.

Good conditions currently exist in Salen despite a lack of recent snowfall. A good lift operation continues to operate.

BULGARIA

Bansko,  Borovets and Pamporovo all saw 10-15cm of fresh snow which has done much to improve the current outlook. For the best of the current conditions head to the well-groomed runs of the upper mountain.

USA

Excellent skiing is still currently available across all major resorts and more snow is forecast this week. Resorts such as Aspen and Loveland can expect around 10cm of fresh snow to fall in resort throughout much of Wednesday, refreshing the pistes considerably.

On the east coast, good on-piste conditions are currently on offer in many resorts, with lift operations improving weekly.  Moderate snowfall is expected over the weekend, with upwards of 25cm expected in the resort of Killington.

CANADA

British Colombia still has the pick of the best resorts on the west coast currently, with the likes of Whistler and Big White having enjoyed a sensational season to date. Pistes in the region benefited from a few centimetres of light snowfall over the weekend, with Fernie the real winner having picked up 15cm of fresh snow over Sunday night.

On the east coast, conditions continue to improve after snow fell over much of last week. Tremblant  picked up 34cm over the last seven days which greatly improve conditions across the entire mountain. 

For a full, up to date snow report and further ski tips,  go to the Ski Club website.