For the snow-deprived among us:
"Skiinfo re****ts that the Stubai Glacier had 10cm (four inches) of fresh
powder on Tuesday (May 20th). Snow depths are 250cm (over eight feet) with
more snow expected over the next few days. It is currently has 44km
(nearly
30 miles) of runs to choose from.
It is one of five Austrian ski areas still open - more than any other
country. Above Kaprun the Kitzsteinhorn glacier with its famous terrain
park
is open with 290cm (Just under ten feet) of snow built up and fresh snow
forecast by Skiinfo's Snowfinder service over the next few days. It has 11
lifts serving 25km of trails open.
The Dachstein glacier near Ransau has six metres (20 feet) of snow
ac***ulated and currently has three lifts running, serving two kilometres
of
piste.
The Kaunertal glacier has 237cm (eight feet) of snow on its slopes, with
five lifts serving 20km of runs.
The final Austrian area is the Tux glacier close to Mayrhofen and a short
transfer from Innsbruck. The glacier area has marginally the most terrain
open in Austria, just ahead of Stubai, with 48km (30 miles) of runs and
335cm (over 11 feet) of snow base.
Elsewhere in Europe, there are no ski areas open in France at present and
Norway actually has the second most number of ski areas to choose from,
after Austria, with three small glacier areas, each operating one or two
long drag lifts and ski runs. Folgefon, Galdhøpiggen and Stryn are all
open.
In Switzerland Engelberg will have its last day of the season on Sunday
(May
25th) so you can still get there. St Moritz, with a 120cm (four foot) base
is re****ted to still be operating two lifts, serving five kilometres of
runs. However the main destination is one of the world's few remaining
year-round ski resorts, with Europe's highest ski lifts, Zermatt. This
currently has a 180cm (six foot) base at the top and five lifts serving
7km
of runs.
In Italy only the Presensa Glacier above Passo Tonale is still going from
winter 2007-8, with two red and one black runs over a 350cm (12 foot)
base.
It will be joined by Passo Stelvio which opens this weekend for the
summer."
Source: Ski Press World
All of which will surprise no-one living nearby, but offers a ray of hope
to
anyone suffering withdrawal :0)
RM
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