Ski enthusiasts are rejoicing as heavy snow blankets the continent’s renowned ski resorts. The recent drop in temperatures, reaching -43°C in parts of Sweden, has set the stage for skiers to go have fun on the slopes after a relatively mild December.
The French Alps, where snowfall levels have reached almost one meter, are once again becoming a haven for skiers. Resorts like Chamonix, Les Gets, and Morzine have experienced a fresh layer of snow, creating the perfect conditions for winter sports enthusiasts, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Snowfall of up to 50 centimetres has also been recorded in Italy, while Austria and Switzerland have witnessed a healthy 30cm, according to ski weather reports.
The shift in weather aligns with predictions based on historical El Niño years, where Europe experiences mild and wet conditions initially, followed by colder and drier weather from January to March. If this trend continues, European ski resorts may be in for one of the best ski seasons in years, characterised by heavier and extended snowfall.
Where to Head This January?
Austria is ideal for an exceptional ski season, with over 50 resorts expecting significant snowfall. Snowfall levels are currently more than 150 per cent above normal, making it the ideal winter conditions for skiing. High-altitude resorts like St Anton am Arlberg and Stuben am Arlberg have recorded snowfall levels exceeding three meters in some areas.
France is another destination that ski lovers should consider this January with Pyrénées and the French Alps receiving a meter of snow in top resorts. Courchevel and Val Thorens, in particular, have witnessed impressive snowfall, with 140cm and 117cm respectively in the last 72 hours.
‘Real winter’ is finally in Italy as low pressure from the North Atlantic brought snow to the Italian Alps. La Thuile in the Aosta Valley, Livigno in the Alps, and Val Gardena in the Dolomites are the best destinations for skiing at the moment, offering over half a meter of snow above 1,000 meters. The Apennines are also set to be covered in snow above 1,500 meters.
Verbier ski resort in Switzerland opened three weeks early this season, and after the recent snowfall, numerous resorts have experienced a boost, including Davos Klosters, Melchsee-Frutt, and Engadin in St Moritz. In Saas-Fee near the Italian border, the snow levels have reached over three meters.
Regardless of tourists’ preferred destinations being the high-altitude resorts of Austria, the picturesque slopes of the French Alps, the charming landscapes of Italy, or the renowned ski resorts in Switzerland, the slopes promise a winter wonderland for all to enjoy.