Several ski areas in The Alps now say they’ve had over two feet (60cm) of snowfall since the end of last week.
Ski areas are looking like winter wonderlands when, for moat, it’s still at least a month to the start of the ski season. Avoriaz, one of those reporting more than 60cm of snow, is pictured above this week, Arc 1950 Le Village below.
There are already a dozen glaciers ski areas open in The Alps, most of them in Austria or Switzerland, and all the snowfall has helped them make up lost ground and open more terrain as their bases build. Solden in the Austrian Tirol already with more than 20km of glacier slopes open, says it will “open for the winter season” this coming weekend.
Some ski areas have decided to open soon because of all the snow. Verbier says it will open for weekends in November from this Saturday and the Pragelato glacier in Italy a week later on the 18th.
Also expected to open some terrain from this weekend are Arosa, Davos, Kitzbuhel and Schladming.
However there’s nowhere open yet in the French Alps, after Tignes decided it wouldn’t open until the end of November this year.
However the snowfall is encouraging bookings, according to French chalet holiday specialist Ski Beat, who sent in the above image from La Rosière.
“This is very snowy La Rosière, from the balcony of Ski Beat’s Chalet Papillon,” a spokesperson said, adding, “2024 holidays were already selling really well and now the early snow is giving people the confidence they need too book. A lot of skiers are booking several months ahead this season. Far fewer book last minute. However we still have availability for the first departures of the season on 9th and 16th December.”
The cold weather is expected to continue for the coming week with more significant snowfall forecast at the weekend.
For the latest snow forecast and updates on where is best to ski now, as well as ski news, gear reviews and resort spotlights, you can check out our regular podcast here Apple | Spotify | Podcasts or search The White Out on your chosen podcast directory.
