Austrian ski resorts open earlier than planned

Due to plentiful snowfalls and low temperatures ski resorts all over Austria have brought forward their winter openings by more than two weeks. In many areas there is already more than 1m of snow right down to the valley stations.

Among the resorts that are opening this coming weekend are favourites such as Zell am See, Saalbach-Hinterglemm and Mayrhofen.

After the unusually early openings at Schladming-Dachstein (26 October 2007) and Kitzbuehel (2 November 2007), the following resorts will go into operation at the end of the week:

LOWER AUSTRIA:
Ötscher
Hochkar
Semmering

VORARLBERG:
Montafon (Hochjoch, Golm and Gargellen)

SALZBURG:
Abtenau
Annaberg
Flachau
Hintersee
Kaprun/Gletscher Kitzsteinhorn
Krispl-Gaißau
Leogang
Mittersill-Pass Thurn
Mühlbach am Hochkönig
Obertauern
Rußbach
Saalbach-Hinterglemm
Sportgastein
St. Johann-Alpendorf
Wagrain
Werfenweng
Zauchensee
Zell am See

CARINTHIA:
Grossglockner-Heiligenblut

THE TYROL:
Mayrhofen
Wilder Kaiser
Zillertal

This is good news for those who want to hit the slopes ASAP as many resorts, airlines and tour operators offer unbeatable pre-Christmas rates.

Inghams has two Austria Square Deals: 7 nights in a resort near Salzburg including flights from London Gatwick from £244pp and 7 nights in a resort near Innsbruck including flights from London Gatwick from £294pp – visit inghams.co.uk for more information.

Crystal Ski has a special offer for Kitzbühel's Club Hotel Hofer at a reduced price of £269 pp (save £245), departure 15 December. Includes return flights from Gatwick, transfers, 7 nights catered accommodation and free wine with evening meals. Find out more at Crystalski.co.uk.

From 14 December onwards easyJet flies from Gatwick and Bristol to Innsbruck from just £38.98 return.