Saalbach Hinterglemmm Leogang in Austria, one of the country’s largest resorts with 200 kilometres of piste and 55 modern lifts, will add a new gondola this winter.

The T-bar lift located near to the Funpark will be dramatically upgraded through replacement by a modern eight person gondola with heated seats and the capacity to transport 2,800 people per hour with the total length of the lift being doubled. The top station will be situated above the ‘Gerstreit’ reservoir. As well as the lift construction, the floodlit piste and night park will also be expanded and enhanced.

The resort has also spent another 2.3 million Euros on new snowmaking equipment and on reshaping several pistes. 90% of the huge area now has snowmaking cover.

Another improvement is a new year-round ‘Treetop Path’ located at the end of the Saalbach Hinterglemm valley. Believed to be unique in the world the kilometre long path loops around the foresty, incorporating a 200 metre long hanging bridge, approximately 40 metres high.

In the last 10 years Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang has invested over 204 Mill. Euro.

www.saalbach.com

A new hotel built entirely of wood has opened at the Austrian resort of Leogang , part of the Saalbach-Hinterglemm ski area which is one of the country’s largest, with 200km of runs.

The new four star Fortsthofalm is located slopeside with ski in/out access and was constructed using hundreds of tonnes of wood, all of which was sourced locally.

The hotel has been built as a passive construction, meaning it has low energy requirements and therefore contributes to the protection of the environment. It uses alternative energy sources whenever possible.

Along with the eco philosophy, the hotel has also got an interesting architectural design and will highlight the arts, with a different visiting artist’s work on display each year, plus good cuisine in its restaurant and offers a well-being in the spa to create what the hotel describes as, “a harmonious whole.”

http://www.forsthofalm.com

Cairngorm opened for historic snow sports on Sunday 20th and Monday 21st June, the first time the ski area has run its lifts so late in June. The skiing was in a very limited area beyond the Ptarmigan Tow with uplift being provided by two temporary rope tows but more than 100 people took to the slopes.

CairnGorm spokesman Colin Kirkwood commented, “Although some of our more intrepid skiers have walked up the hill in previous years to find patches of snow on which to ski during the summer, this is the first time in living memory that we have skied with the benefit of mechanized uplift at CairnGorm at midsummer and our customers seem to be delighted that we been able to provide this facility for them as the finale to this season.”

The centre has been open since late November last year, clocking up nearly seven months of operation.

www.cairngormmountain.co.uk

A new gondola that looks set to be one of the most architecturally spectacular in Austria is under construction at Solden.

Work on the mountain base of the new lift, up to the Gaislachkogl peak, began last summer to allow the concrete foundations time to set. The lift proper will be installed this summer ready to begin operation next winter.

The new lift will require fewer support towers, three rather than four, with up to 1.2km between the towers.

The new lift’s buildings have been designed by Innsbruck based architects to a high standard of visual appearance. The Base, top and mid-mountain stations on the lift will be long, low profile buildings made with a rigid steel frame but covered in a flexible silvery plastic skin.

The middle station will offer several practical improvements for skiers, with the arrival point at the same level as the restaurant roof of the current lift and access to the slopes via a ramp, with no more need to push yourself along with your poles. Lift users may also want to stop a few moments take in 270 degree views of the surrounding Stubai Alps from the lift.

The new lift is scheduled to open in time for the coming winter 2010-11 season.

www.oetztal.com

After countless planning applications and some controversy, work on the SnOasis Indoor Ski Resort is set begin in September 2010. Video below shows some of the key facts about the development:

It looks pretty good to us, looking forward to some turns on that slope and maybe a few jars on the way down.

Austin on ski resorts

1, When did you start snowboarding and what was it that inspired you?

I used to ski a little on dry-slope, my friend Dan was learning to snowboard and it looked cool. I had a go on his board in his garden when it snowed at Christmas 1995 and I was hooked from  then on.

2, Which ski resorts have you visited and which is the best?

I’ve been to resorts all over the place, France, Switzerland, Austria,
Sweden, Canada, America, Italy, Andorra, Bulgaria. If you’ve got good snow
then I don’t think it really matters too much where you are. You just
have to pick based on price, language, and your preference of terrain.
For me my favourite place to stay has to be Morzine only because I know it so well. But not to ride, Avoriaz and the Portes du Soleil is my favourite place to ride.

3, Which is the one ski resort you want to visit before you get too old and arthritic to snowboard any more?

Japan! Or South America maybe.

4, Where are you going to be riding next season?

I have no idea, I don’t plan that far ahead.

Austin on riding

5, What have you achieved in snowboarding so far, and what are your aims for the future?

Have a look and see - http://www.soulsports.co.uk/profile.html?mikeaustin

6, Who is currently sponsoring you and who would be your all time dream sponsor?

Currently - Endeavor Snowboards, Ignite Beanies, Thirtytwo Outerwear & Boots, Demon accessories, Airhole face masks, SP bindings, Ortovox avalanche gear, Hoven Goggles, TG Ski Chalets in Morzine.

All time dream sponsor? Um, Microsoft could be a good one. They can contact me any time after 6pm.

7, Were you competing last season, if so how did you get on?

Yes, I finished 8th in British Champs. I was also captain of the British
team who beat France in the ‘Battle of Waterloo’ (2009).

8, What are the 3 most important things to remember whilst snowboarding?

Remember that you could be at work, you could not have any legs and
its only cold for a few months of the year.

9, How do you make the transition from going off the odd jump, to hitting big kickers, rails and pipe riding?

Exactly as you would imagine, start on the small jumps and work your way up, start on the short, low rails and try a small pipe or only ride a small
part of the transition. And don’t go straight for 900 spins, try a 180,
then a 360 etc. Push too hard and you’ll miss the fun.

10, Have you ever injured yourself snowboarding?

Yes, many times but lets not think about the negatives.

11, What’s your best snowboarding memory?

Thats hard, there’s too many to pick one out.

12, What’s on your ipod while you’re riding at the moment?

I’ve been downloading and listening to a lot of rights-free music because
i’m putting together some podcasts and need something that sounds good but is rights free.

13, Who is the best person you have ridden with and why?

Thats hard to say too. I’ve always considered Mark Kent as someone who
never fails to impress me. Just the other day my friend Nate Kern did
a backside double corked 1260. I think you’ll agree thats pretty impressive.

14, What’s your favourite trick that you can do on a snowboard?

I just enjoy jumping off kickers no matter what trick i’m doing. One of my best tricks is a Frontside rodeo 900’s, I would like to turn them into
double rodeo 900’s.

15, What trick will you be trying to master next season?

I will hopefully be doing the double rodeo’s, also cab 1080 and rodeo 1080.

Austin on life

16, What do you do over the horrible, hot, hayfever ridden summer months?

Sneeze, Work, Wakeboard, Snowboard at the Tamworth Snowdome.

17, What are you going to do to find your thrills when you can no longer snowboard?

I hope that I will be so old that I don’t care. So to answer that, probably something like crosswords, chess or watching TV.

18, Who is your all time hero and why?

Again, I find that hard to answer. Someone might be really good at something or has done amazing things, but there’s always a few others who
must have done similar but don’t get as much praise. If I said Superman, Spiderman might feel inferior but he shouldn’t should he, because he’s amazing too.

19, What is the most important thing to you in the world right now?

Oxygen? The world is a huge and very complicated place, lets just go for the
easy answer and say ‘Happiness’.

20, Do you have a saying, motto or philosophy that you try to live by?

Not really no. I’m not doing very well with these questions am i? Hows about don’t worry, be happy & live life for the moment. That’ll do.

There has been little fresh snowfall in the alps in recent days, and in some cases some unwanted warm temperatures and even rain. However in most cases the accumulated snow to date has led to pleasant ski conditions in Europe.  To the north of the continent heavy snow has continued to fall over Scotland and Scandinavia, while in the East it has been unseasonably warm, leading to difficult conditions for skiers in Bulgaria.  
 
Across the Atlantic there have been big snowfalls on both the East and west sides of North America.
 
Although things have been quiet for the past three or four days, It snowed a lot last week in the French mountains with 13 powder alarms in the French Alps on Friday.
 
Le Grand Bornand was one of the big winners with 75cm (2.5 feet) of fresh snow accumulated over seven days.
  
Other big accumulations of 45- 52cm (18-21 inches) were re4ported by La Clusaz, Val Thorens  and Alpe d’Huez.  Chamonix Mont-Blanc  has the deepest snow in France with 4.2m (14 feet).
 
Italy is reporting less favorable conditions with bad weather, especially in the north and the centre of the country with warm temperatures bringing some unwanted rainfall this afternoon and more expected tomorrow.  Unusually, conditions are better for skiing in Italy’s southern areas.
 
There have been healthy snow accumulations over the past seven days at some resorts however, Courmayeur has had 75cm (2.5 feet) of new snow, Arabba Marmolada 70cm – it continues to claim the deepest snow in Europe, with five metres (nearly 27 feet) accumulated, La Thuile has had 55cm (22 inches) and Bardonecchia  40cm (16 inches).
 
Austria got some new snow with Sölden, Obertauern and the Ski Welt with Brixental, Söll and  Ellmau getting 5cm (2 inches) each. Some snow had already been falling in St. Anton, Hochfügen (both 5cm) and Saalbach Hinterglemm (10cm). In mountainous areas more new snow is expected in the coming days.
 
The biggest snow accumulations in the country in the past week has been at Zauchensee (30 cm/a foot) and Sölden (29 cm/11.5 inches). The snow depth in the latter has “climbed” up to 202cm (6.6 feet), with some new snow falling almost every day (Skiinfo’s Snowfinder expects 13 cm of new snow in Sölden for tomorrow). Flachau had 25cm (10 inches) of new snow in a week.
 
In Switzerland the latest powder alarms were issued last weekend with 30cm (a foot) in Nax as well as Champoussin. There’s been less new snow in the German speaking parts of the country but Engelberg and Lötschental are still on top of the list of biggest snow depths with 285 and 272cm (9-10 feet)of snow on their mountains.
 
In Germany up to 10cm (four inches) of new snow was reported in Bavaria this morning. Oberstdorf has already had 10 cm yesterday at the mountains Fellhorn and Nebelhorn.
 
Sierra Nevada continues to have the greatest snow depth in Spain with five metres on their upper slopes, equalling Arabba in Italy for the deepest in the world. There has been much less snow in Spain this week than last but new snow is expected over the next few days.

The Pyrenees are still looking very nice with more than 1.5m of snow on the top of the slopes. Baqueira Beret has 175cm (six feet) of snow on top and 93km of  runs open, Formigal up to 240cm (eight feet) of snow and 136 km of runs open.  Andorra has also not seen fresh snow for nearly two weeks, but conditions remain relatively good thanks to a healthy base build up, with most areas reporting 1.2 – 1.8m (4-6 feet) on upper slopes.

In Scandinavia it seems there’s nothing holding back the snow right now. It continues to accumulate from last week causing problems for traffic and transport like buses and railways and leading to some roof collapses in the south of Sweden while at the same time adding to the great snow depths at ski resorts across the whole country.
This means there are really great conditions from the north to south of the region, right in time for the second week of Sweden’s current winter holiday period.

During the last week ski resorts further up north have had some serious amounts of snow fall as well. The small resort of Nalovardo got the most with 33cm (13 inches) followed by Branäs 27cm (11 inches), Tandådalen 17cm (7 inches) and Åre 10cm (4 inches). The forecast for the rest of the week looks really promising, especially in the north. Riksgränsen, which recently re-opened for its 2010 ski season through to June up in the Arctic Circle is expecting massive snow falls starting on Thursday.

In Scotland the weather service recently confirmed it has been the coldest winter since 1962-3, nearly 50 years ago.  Still more heavy snow has left all five centres fully open, with Cairngorm needing to blast terrain above the ski area for the first time to minimise avalanche danger. It’s the opposite conditions in parts of eastern Europe where mild weather has brought early spring to ski areas in Bulgaria, which are struggling to battle a rapid thaw and sticky snow as temperatures have almost reached double figures in the past week.

Across the Atlantic there have been more serious snowfalls on both East and West sides of the continent.
On the East Coast the “snowicane” that paralyzed the region for nearly a week has set many ski areas up to be skiing well into Spriong 2010. After ending February with nearly 2.4m (eight feet) of natural snowfall over five days Belleayre in New York state is primed for a monumental March. To the north Le Massif, an hour outside Quebec City in Quebec, Canada, reported 72cm (28 inches) of fresh snow too. On the western side of the continent nearly three feet (90cm) of snow has fallen at Beaver Creek and Vail, while Breckenridge received 28 inches (71cm); Heavenly, 25 inches (64cm), and Keystone was walloped with 20 inches (51cm). The heavens opened with 10 straight days of relentless snow in  Colorado resorts and Pacific storms in the west.

The Eggalm ski area in Tux, in Austria’s Ziller Valley, has a new luxury six-seat chairlift with weather protection domes and seat heating.

Hintertux is at the deep end of the Ziller Valley. With a summit at almost 3,500m above sea level, is one of the few remaining ski areas that endeavours to open year round, thanks to operating one of the largest of the Tyrol’s five glacier ski areas.

Find out more about Hintertux ski resort

The Aspen Times newspaper has reported that a woman was caught trying to use a season pass owned by her boyfriend to gain lift access at Keystone resort.  When challenged about her gender when trying to use a pass owned by a man called Daniel, the woman, named as Wanda, is reported to have informed the lift operator that she was in the process of undergoing a sex change.

When the local Summit County Sheriff’s Office became involved they reported that,

“The female stated her parents knew of her sex change, and she stated they disowned her when she told them.”

The woman was arrested and has been charged with theft of more than $500 and criminal impersonation.

• Find out more about Aspen ski resort
• Find out more about Keystone ski resort

Although the snowfall has eased in the Alps from a week ago, it is still continuing with at least a few inches of fresh on the upper slopes at many resorts.  Italy was a major beneficiary at the weekend and its resorts now have some of the world’s deepest snow cover at present.  At the start of this week its Switzerland that is posting the most powder alarms with resorts reporting 20 or 30cm of new snow. Elsewhere the western US is seeing some big snowfalls with Squaw Valley above Lake Tahoe, California, reporting 60cm (two feet) of snow on Monday.

Italy has had the most snow anywhere in the past week and currently has some of the world’s biggest accumulations. The biggest falls were in the north-west of the country (Piemonte, Lombardia, Valle d’Aosta) and in the last few days in Alto Adige. However the snow cover isn’t universal and in Friuli a lack of snow has lead to the start of the season being postponed.
The biggest accumulation of the past seven days has been in Val d’Ultimo which reports 190cm (6.3 feet) of new snow.  Val Senales / Schnals is not far behind with 160cm (5.3 feet) and Santa Caterina is on 130cm (4.3 feet), Cortina d’Ampezzo 110 cm (3.65 feet).

The Arabba Marmolada glacier currently reports the deepest snow anywhere in the world with 312cm (10.5 feet) on upper slopes, 55cm (22 inches) at the base.  It’s a similar picture, just a few centimetres less, on the Presena Glacier above Passo Tonale. Bormio, one of the winter’s early openers six-weeks ago, has 190cm (6.3 feet) on upper slopes, 30cm (a foot) below.  Madesimo and Cervinia - Breuil each has about 1.5 metres (five feet) on upper slopes.

Thirty resorts have already partially opened their ski areas in France, of which six are currently only open at weekends. That number will grow to at least 40 this weekend.

After a warming period following last week’s snow, with some rain damage to lower slopes, more snow has started falling again and Orelle, lift-linked to Val Thorens in The Three Valleys (each of which is now at least partially open) in the northern Alps, issued a powder alarm yesterday with a 20cm (eight inch) snowfall.

Resorts scheduled to open this weekend include La Plagne, Serre Chevalier, Flaine, Vars and Avoriaz.

La Clusaz currently reports the best snow depth in the country with 120cm (four feet) of snow.  In the Pyrenees, Bareges and La Mongie  have the most snow with 90cm (three feet)  lying, Val d’Isere will host the 54th edition of the “Critérium de la Première Neige” this weekend on the 11th - 13th December for Women and the following weekend (18th -20th December) for men.

There has been limited new snowfall in Austria, however the country’s glacier ski are reporting some of the deepest snow available anywhere. The snow line in Austria is between 500 and 800 metres today and the Austrian Broadcast Corporation ORF predicts more snowfall for Saturday and low temperatures between -6 and 0 degrees (Celsius) for Sunday.

The Molltal glacier has among the three biggest snow depths in the world at present with 2,2m (7.3 feet), while Pitztal, Solden,Stubai and Hintertux glaciers all have at least 1.5m (five feet)of snow.  Kaprun has released powder alarms reporting 40cm of new snow in the past 24 hours.
Austrian resorts which will open this weekend include more of the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser with 15cm (six inches) of snow in Brixental and Kleinwalsertal (opening on the 12th) with up to 40cm (15 inches) of snow at the  Nebelhorn ski area.  Seefeld – Rosshütte, Gerlos/ Zillertal and Lermoos/ Tiroler Zugspitz Arena will also open with 30cm (a foot) of snow.

It’s a similar picture over the border in Germany where the Zugspitzplatt has the most snow with 125 (4.1 feet).  Oberstdorf  has 30cm (a foot).
After heavy snow last week in Switzerland almost cut off the resort of Engelberg and other resorts reported bug falls, Swiss resorts have again been announcing substantial snowfalls of at least 20cm in each in the past 24 hours.

Davos, Gstaad and Les Diablerets are among the latest to note substantial new snowfalls, with Engelberg also reporting another 20cm (eight inches).  Verbier had the biggest single snowfall, with 30cm (a foot) of new snow.
Swiss resorts are now reporting some of the deepest snow depths in the world, with Andermatt recording some of the deepest snow, a1.3m (4.3 feet) base at the bottom of the slopes and 1.9m (6.3 feet) on upper runs.

In Andorra and Spain the news is less good as pouring rain and warm weather ruined some of the great conditions reported only a week ago. Only Spain’s largest resorts of Baqueira (30-60 cm and 77 km) and Formigal (10-80 cm and 64 km) continue to offer good conditions.  However Panticosa (30-60 cm and 22 km), Cerler (20-65 cm and 18 km), Astun (20-80 cm and 20 km), Candanchu (15-65 cm and 29 km), Boi Taull (15-30 cm and 20 km), La Molina (10-20cm and 3 km), Masella (10-25 km and 9 km) and Grand Pallars ski resorts (Espot, Port Ainé and Tavascan, 15-40 cm  with 60 km) all in the Pyrenees, are still open. Outside the Pyrenees only Sierra Nevada with 10-30 cm and 5km of runs is open for skiers.

A cooling trend is expected for the weekend however, allowing ski resorts to put snow making facilities back in to operation.

In Scandinavia there has been a similar roller coaster of weather to the Alps and Pyrenees with just a few centimetres of snow for some resorts.
However Åre in Sweden  is hosting the ladies WC this weekend and they are giving away one free day pass to all spectators who come to watch the competitions. The ski resort of Säfsen will open up two slopes this weekend.
In Scotland, Cairngorm remains open and has extended the terrain available, with a descent to the bottom of the funicular on a narrow band of snow possible this week.  Low temperatures should help to maintain this possibility.  The country’s other four centres have insufficient snow to open.
There are no reports of any ski areas open yet in Eastern Europe although Bansko in Bulgaria has said it plans to open this weekend and the webcams are showing a snowy picture in the Czech Republic.

Across the Atlantic most areas of North America have seen improved conditions. The exception is possibly British Columbia where conditions couldn’t really actually improve much on the record breaking November snowfall. The only problem there is that it’s very cold – as low as -40C overnight, so wrap up well! Kicking Horse and Fernie are now open, joining the rest. Virtually all of the province’s ski areas are now open, although Panorama still has to join them, with opening scheduled for this Friday, November 11.  At Fernie conditions are described as, “fantastic” with over a six feet (1.8m) of settled snow base in the five alpine bowls. 

Heli-skiing is the latest snow sport to benefit from the great snow in BC with Great Canadian Heli-Skiing announcing that its first paying guests went heli‐skiing last Sunday, December 6th, three weeks before the normal start date! This lucky private party, which includes the only North American delegate to be invited to judge the snowboarding events at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, shows that amongst Great Canadian’s guests, snow is definitely trumping the economy!

Due to numerous calls into Great Canadian Heli‐Skiing’s office by guests demanding to come heli‐skiing in order to enjoy the amazing conditions, the decision was made to meet consumer demand by operating much earlier than scheduled. The next group of lucky skiers and boarders will arrive Friday, December 11th for a three day trip. Further highlighting how snow is trumping the economy, November bookings to Great Canadian Heli‐Skiing were 30% higher than any other previous November and it was the second biggest month in the past six years.

In Alberta, Sunshine’s famous Delirium Dive opened at the weekend, the earliest opening in its ten year history.  As one of Sunshine Village’s three freeride zones, the Dive offers some of the most extreme inbounds terrain in North America. This week it was named one of the ‘World’s Scariest Ski Slopes’ by MSN, to add to its many other accolades.

“We’ve had fantastic snow this season enabling us to open the Dive earlier than ever before. Expert skiers and snowboarders will be very happy!” said Dan Markham, of Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine.

Within the Dive’s 600 acres of terrain, natural features include 20 metre cornices, frozen waterfalls, stepped pillow drops, jagged rock spines, and 25 metre cliffs. These natural hazards are unmarked and exist throughout the area.

Skiers and snowboarders need to use good judgment, know their skill level, and understand that mountain conditions may change quickly. Entry is only permitted for those with a shovel, transceiver and buddy.

The Dive’s opening adds to the expert terrain already available at The Lake Louise Ski Area and Mt. Norquay. Whitehorn 1, A Gulley and Ptarmigan Shoots are just some of Lake Louise’s terrain already open for expert skiers and riders, with great powder conditions. Last weekend Mt. Norquay held a special early opening of the North American chair, offering access to the resorts infamous double-black diamond runs.

With some of the best snow in 30 years, the conditons at all three resorts are great on beginner and intermediate terrain too.
On the East Coast, which had suffered from warm weather and little snow, resorts have been able to open thanks to some fresh snow and temperatures cold enough for snowmaking.  Mont-Sainte-Anne near Quebec City  began operating for the 09-10 season at 8:30am last Saturday but with only one slope open to the public, the popular Quanik, adding another slope, La Paradeuse  on Sunday and also a new cross-country skiing loop exclusively reserved to training, that will be set up on the west side of the summit. The 800 meter loop can be reached by the panoramic gondola and can accommodate up to 50 athletes simultaneously, in both skating and classic styles; a first of this kind in the East of the continent. The resort plans to open two other slopes in the next few days, La Printannière and La Mélanie Turgeon. Mont-Sainte-Anne is now open 7 days a week.  Stoneham Mountain Resort opened on Sunday at 9 am, with its slope Les Pionniers and a small snow park set up at the base of the mountain for all freestyle fanatics.  Mont Sutton to the south of the province is hoping to open this weekend. 

Further south resorts have been opening in New England, including Sugarbush, Sugarloaf and Smugglers Notch – each using a combination of fresh natural snow and machine made white stuff.

In Western North America a big storm is tracking across the country bringing large snowfalls to California and now moving in to the Rocky Mountain bringing snow to resorts in Colorado and Utah.  Squaw Valley reported a two-foot (60cm) accumulation on Monday, greatly improving conditions at the leading Californian resort.

Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe, California has reported 34 inches (86cm) of fresh snow in the past 24 hours, and the Colorado resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek are under a winter storm warning  having already received more than 5 inches (13cm) in the past 48 hours.