Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Great skiing in Europe as the season draws to a close

Snow report

Monday 31 March 2014 16:28 BST
Comments
Crystal amaze: Cervinia's upper slopes received 20cm of snow last week
Crystal amaze: Cervinia's upper slopes received 20cm of snow last week (Alamy)

Recent snowy weather and excellent visibility has dramatically improved conditions in European resorts this week. There's still great skiing in most locations and the temperature has increased since last weekend.

The majority of Italy's resorts have excellent snow conditions. Cervinia's upper slopes received around 20cm of snow while Passo Tonale reported more than half a metre of fresh snow earlier in the week. Passo Tonale currently boasts an extraordinary upper snow base depth of six metres.

The recent wintry weather has enhanced conditions across Austrian resorts too. Hintertux reported more than a metre of fresh snow in this recent cycle. Obergurgl didn't receive as much fresh snow but the cold spell has ensured the pistes remain in excellent condition. Bright and sunny weather is expected across Austrian resorts this weekend with cloudy and mild weather forecast this week.

Fresh snow was reported by almost all French resorts, dramatically improving conditions. The heaviest snowfall – over a metre – was reported in Cauterets. Further north in the Alps, Flaine came close second after receiving more than 80cm.

Switzerland also has excellent conditions. Saas Fee received 10cm of snow last Thursday while Swiss resorts in the East, such as Davos, received a good amount of snow earlier in the week and are still enjoying powder off piste.

Fresh snowfall in the Pyrenees created fantastic skiing in Andorran resorts. The forecast is for increasing temperatures and a chance of wet weather in the week ahead.

It's turned mild in Norway and Sweden with all resorts offering fantastic spring skiing. The snow softens up nicely after midday in Are, providing excellent conditions. Mild weather also dominates in Norway but there's plenty of snow and a fantastic base depth, particularly at Hemsedal.

It was a fairly dry week in America, but snow returned to many parts of Colorado and California on Thursday. Light snow also fell in western Canadian resorts. Marmot Basin received an impressive 25cm of fresh snow. Conditions are excellent, with a mid-mountain temperature of minus 15C keeping the snow nice and dry.

The Ski Club of Great Britain (020 8410 2015; skiclub.co.uk) is a not-for-profit snowsports club which offers benefits to more than 30,000 members who receive discounts on travel, kit, and holidays; access to industry-leading snow reports; information and advice; and access to the in-resort Ski Club Leader service. Individual membership costs £62 or £23 for beginners and those aged under 24.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in