Alpine skiers enjoy fresh now

Skiinfo.com is reporting large falls of fresh snow across the Alps this week, particularly in Austria. The big falls of up to 70cm (28 inches) in recent days have made the dozen or so European ski centres that have already opened for winter 2008-9 in to early powder havens for those lucky enough to be already out on the slopes. For the rest of the continent’s leading resorts, it means a big boost in anticipation of the coming winter.

Where to ski fresh powder today?
Austria’s Tux glacier leads the pack having reported 70cm (28 inches) of fresh snow since the weekend. Other Austrian resorts to be snowed under include the Stubai glacier near Innsbruck, with 60cm (two feet) of fresh powder.
“With the news snow it’s now possible to ski down as far as Gamsgarten on slope number seven,” said an excited resort spokesman. Lifts are open from 8am to 4pm and children under the age of 10 ski for free when accompanied by a parent.

The Dachstein Glacier near Schladming is reporting 50cm (20 inches) of fresh powder. National cross country ski teams from Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Russia, and Germany are already using the great training opportunities on the summit runs and the downhill is great too.

Solden has re-opened early thanks to fresh snow on its its twin glaciers. Lift tickets cost 38 Euros per day for adults through to 19th December. The resort hosts the Northern Hemisphere’s World Cup opening races with men’s and women’s giant slalom events on the 25th and 26th. The event kicks off with a World Cup party in the resort centre on the preceding Friday evening, with the option of paying 100 Euros a seat to attend the Frozen Fire launch event at 9.30pm, including meal.

In Italy Val Senales will stage its 14th annual Snowboard Opening the weekend after next (17th – 19th October) with jump contest, boarder and skier cross, snowboard, freestyle and freeride ski testing and a party with live bands and Djs. A fresh fall of 15cm (6 inches) of snow has brought bases up to 50cm (20 inches).

skiinfo.com reports that Tignes, the only resort so far open in France, has had a 20cm (eight inch) snowfall on its Grande Motte glacier.

In Norway, the Folgefonn glacier ski area which is due to close this Sunday, October 12th, after its long summer-snow season has reported a further 40cm (16 inches) of fresh powder to top up the base depths of a metre (40 inches).

Other ski centres currently open include Saas Fee and Zermatt in Switzerland, the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier above Kaprun as well as the Kaunertal and Pitztal glaciers in Austria.

For a constantly updated summary of fresh snowfall collected from 1,200 European ski areas visit skiinfo.com.