Austria's Ski Resorts See Up to 70cm Snow, With May Openings Ahead

• Pyrenees Enjoy Late Season Snow, Sierra Nevada Holds Europe's Deepest Snowpack
• Scandinavia Reports Powder Conditions; Narvik Skiing Into May
• France's High Slopes Still Offering Powder Despite Spring Warmth
• Eastern Europe Facing Sudden Cold Front; Bansko Open Until Easter

EUROPE OVERVIEW

Things have turned a little more wintry in the Alps this week, especially on higher slopes. In a change from recent weather fronts that favoured the southwest, the heavy snowfall this week has been especially concentrated in the northeast of the region. Austria has benefited the most, with accumulations of up to 70cm (28”) at the start of this week and lighter falls since. Snowfall has occurred over a much wider area as well, though much lighter, mostly around Austria’s borders and primarily at higher elevations. With April here, it's no surprise that lower resorts are ending their seasons. The snowline is climbing up the mountainside, and precipitation in low valleys is mostly falling as rain or sleet rather than snow. Most of the continent's larger, higher-altitude ski areas remain close to full operation, with many aiming to stay open at least until the late Easter weekend, and some as late as May. Outside the Alps, the Pyrenees have continued to experience wintry weather, while further south, Spain's Sierra Nevada has enjoyed its second consecutive week of holding Europe's deepest snowpack at 3m (100 feet). In the far north, some of the heaviest snowfalls this week, outside of Austria, have been reported in the Arctic Circle, including at resorts like Norway's Narvik.

AUSTRIA REPORT

It has been a mixed week of sunny spells and rain/sleet/snow showers across Austria, but the country has seen one of its snowiest periods in recent weeks — at least on high slopes. More than half of Austria’s ski slopes and many of the smaller, lower areas have now ended their 24-25 seasons, but larger resorts remain open, with the majority of their trails still accessible. Among them, Ischgl (30/50cm / 12/20”) initially recorded one of the larger snowfalls last week, with 15cm (6”) on its higher slopes. By Monday evening, reports indicated accumulations of up to 60cm (2 feet) — unfortunately, the largest accumulation was in the Skiwelt region, which had ended its 24-25 season the previous day. However, the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier (30/240cm / 12/96”) reported 55cm (22”), and the Stubai eventually recorded 70cm (28”), good news for their seasons continuing into May. The Arlberg region also reported powder conditions after receiving weekend snowfall down to the valley floor, but spring temperatures meant some lower areas saw rain and sleet for much of the time on lower runs.

AUSTRIA FORECAST

The snowfall had tapered off by Tuesday, leaving sunny skies that are expected to continue toward the end of the week. Some very warm valley temperatures in the +15 to +20°C range are forecast before cooler, cloudier weather arrives for the weekend.

FRANCE REPORT

French ski areas have experienced light snow showers and prolonged sunny spells over the past week. With temperatures reaching +10°C in valleys, snowfall has largely been confined to high slopes above 1,500-2,000m altitude. However, ski areas with terrain above 2,000m have been reporting powder conditions, even when they’ve only received a few centimeters (an inch or so) of snowfall to refresh the cover. Although smaller, lower French resorts have begun closing for the season, most larger ski areas remain fully open for the Easter holiday period. The Grand Massif (0/280cm / 0/112”), including Flaine, is currently posting the deepest snow in the Alps and remains fully open. Les 3 Vallées (175/225cm / 70/90”), including Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Méribel, and Courchevel, still has more than 500km (312 miles) of slopes open.

FRANCE FORECAST

Warmer temperatures and only very light snowfalls are forecast for the latter half of this week. Valley highs will be up towards +15°C, with a mixture of sunny and cloudy spells and light winds.

ITALY REPORT

Italy has also experienced the classic springtime mix of sunshine and snow/sleet/rain showers. Snowfall hasn’t significantly exceeded the thawing rate in most areas but has provided a nice refresh for high slopes. Madonna di Campiglio (99/163cm / 40/65”) was among the resorts reporting a 10cm (4”) accumulation on its higher slopes at the start of the week. The freezing point has ranged between 700m and 2,100m altitude, with temperatures between +15°C in the afternoons in valleys and -8°C at 2,500m overnight. About a third of the smaller, lower Italian ski resorts have already ended their 24-25 seasons, and the coming weekend is expected to see some of the first big-name resorts, like Alta Badia and Val Gardena, join them.

ITALY FORECAST

Light winds, light clouds, and sunny spells are expected for most Italian resorts in the latter half of this week. Temperatures are climbing again and are forecast to reach +15°C in valleys around 1,000m altitude by the weekend.

PYRENEES REPORT

The Pyrenees ended a great March, the best month of the season for snowfall and open terrain, with more significant falls of 20-40cm (8-16”) over the final days of the month. As April begins, about half of the region’s ski areas have already ended their seasons, mostly the smaller, lower resorts. Another third plan to close this coming weekend, leaving only a handful operating later into the month. Conditions have turned much more spring-like, with the freezing point rising above the mountain tops and valley highs exceeding +15°C. However, Sierra Nevada (50/300cm / 20/120”), Europe’s most southerly ski area, continues to report the deepest snow and has most of its terrain open.

PYRENEES FORECAST

After a very snowy March, the Pyrenees are expected to see light showers with the freezing point rising above most mountains in early April. Only a few centimeters of snow at high altitudes are expected, with predominantly dry, warmer weather.

SCANDINAVIA REPORT

A spring mix continues for much of Scandinavia, with rain, sleet, and snow showers occurring as temperatures hover around the freezing point. However, conditions remain wintry in the far north, particularly above the Arctic Circle, where ski areas like Narvik will stay open into May. Sweden’s Björkliden (106/106cm / 42/42”) reported a 30cm (12”) accumulation over 72 hours into Monday, resulting in powder conditions. Most large Scandinavian resorts plan to remain open through Easter or early May, with most terrain still skiable.

SCANDINAVIA FORECAST

Mostly dry and sunny conditions are expected, with temperatures rising above +5°C and up to +10°C in the more southerly regions. Overnight lows on upper slopes and in northern Scandinavia should still drop below zero, leading to freeze-thaw cycles.

EASTERN EUROPE REPORT

Around 90% of ski areas in Eastern Europe have ended their 24-25 seasons in the past few weekends. However, many of the larger resorts remain open until either this weekend or the following one, with just a few hoping to make it to Easter Sunday. Bansko (15/120cm / 6/48”) remains open for another 12 days, with about 70% of its slopes still skiable.

EASTERN EUROPE FORECAST

Sunny conditions are expected over the next few days, but a strong cold front arriving this weekend could bring very cold temperatures and significant snowfall, though most ski areas will have closed by then.

SCOTLAND REPORT

Scotland’s season appears virtually over, with one of the last small patches of lift-accessible snow left to thaw with warm sunny weather this week at Cairngorm Mountain Resort above Aviemore. The center ceased snowmaking in this beginner area and ended its run with a fun freestyle jam on Saturday and Sunday. “We are ever hopeful that there may yet be a return to snowsports on the upper mountain, so let’s keep our fingers crossed for further snowfall,” a Cairngorm spokesperson said. The patch was deemed unskiable by Monday. Glencoe (which is still maintaining a beginner dry slope and snow sledging slope) and Glenshee have also indicated they will re-open lifts and slopes if adequate snow arrives.

SCOTLAND FORECAST

Dry, very warm, and sunny weather is forecast in the Highlands for the next fortnight. Some local weather experts are optimistic that there may still be another cold, snowy spell in the latter half of the month, but it’s too early to know for sure.