France
3 Valleys
Courcheval opened three lifts today (Wednesday), giving access to three slopes. This means it wins the race to be the first resort to open in the 3 Valleys, with Val Thorens now opening this weekend (Saturday November 28).
There is approximately 75cm on upper slopes, with up to 30cm in some villages, with up to 13cm arriving today in Couchevel, Les Menuires, Méribel and Val Thorens.
Espace Killy
Val d’Isere is due to open this weekend on Saturday November 28. Snow depths in the Espace Killy are about 90cm on the upper slopes of Tignes, and Val d’Isere, with up to 10cm expected to fall by the end of Wednesday November 25.
French Pyrenees punched well above its weight for snowfall last season, and France’s ‘other mountain range’ and Andorra have started well, with up to 50cm now and as much again expected over the next couple of days at La Mongie, Peyragudes, St Lary, and Ax3 Domaines. Cauterets opens this weekend (November 28).
Andorra
Up to 20cm of snow is already on the ground on upper pistes and 5cm on the lower pistes in the principality’s Arcalis-Vallnord and Pas de la Casa resorts, and with up to 61cm expected at Arcalis-Vallnord by the weekend, the start of the season is within sight. Officially the resort hopes to open on November 28 but this has not been confirmed.
Austria
As of today (Wednesday November 25), there were 10 Austrian ski resorts open, with 105 expecting fresh snow imminently. Already open are Pitztal, Kaunertal, Sölden, Hintertux and Mölltal Gletscher-Flattch, all of which have up to 120cm, with up to another 10cm expected. Also open but with a less snow and only up to 5cm expected today and tomorrow, are Kaprun, Stubai, Turracherhöhe and Obergurgl-Hochgurgl. Ischgl opens this weekend with its annual concert, which this year is headlined by the Beach Boys.
Switzerland
Engelberg was due to open today but high winds have postponed until tomorrow, Thursday November 26. Elsewhere, the Corvatcsh area of St Mortiz will open after using the very low temperatures to make their own snow. With up to 145cm and another 10cm or so expected today, Zermatt, Saas-Fee and Les Diablerets are all open. This weekend they will be joined by Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren, who are opening with a 20% discount for the opening weekend.
Italy
The super-high Breuil-Cervinia resort under the mighty Matterhorn is the only Italian resort open already, with up to 145cm of snow and up to another 8cm due today. Pfelders has 170cm already with 8cm expected to day and Speikboden has 120cm with 5cm expected. Both officially open on December 5.
North America
Heading across the pond, the El Nino year is making itself felt already, with many resorts open already and enjoying well over a metre of white stuff.
Canada
Some eight resorts are open now and top of the tables is British Columbia’s Big White, which is living up to its name with 127cm of snow. Also building a good base is Banff National Park favourite Lake Louise with 117cm already on the ground. Banff Mont Norquay has 90cm, while Sun Peaks and Whistler have started their account with 84cm each. All these resorts are open now, as is Marmot Basin and Grouse Mountain, with 73cm and 43cm respectively.
USA
Some 31 resorts are open in the States right now, with early snow in Colorado, Washington State, Utah and even California in the West, as well as New England in the East.
The biggest winner so far Stateside is Mount Baker in the West, just over the border from Vancouver, with 140cm. Next up is Mammoth Mountain, also in the West but this time much further south in eastern California, with 106cm and some flurries forecast now. Telluride in Colorado is off the mark, as is Copper Mountain, both with open with 74cm. In Utah, Snowbird is also open with 61cm.
For free up-to-date Snow Reports and Forecasts see snowmagazine.com/snow-reports
