No Need To Dream of a White Christmas, just go Skiing (Yes... or Boarding...)

Skiinfo reports that most of the world’s major ski regions are reporting relatively good snow conditions ready for the season’s peak Christmas and New Year holiday weeks. Low temperatures across the northern hemisphere have allowed for snowmaking to operate a maximum efficiency through the world’s now hundreds of thousands of snow guns, but this has hardly been needed at many resorts where the Alps, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Scotland and both coasts of north America reporting at least a foot (30cm) of new snow in the past week and in some cases as much as 1.2 metres (four feet). In most ski areas the snow is currently still falling.
Conditions in France are continuing to improve in the Alps with most resorts reporting snow over the past few days, and this is continuing right now. La Clusaz appears to be doing the best, posting yet another powder alarm for another 35cm (14 inches) of snow overnight this morning. It has received the most snow in France over the past week, with 117cm (nearly 4 feet) in the past week and now has the deepest reported base in France as a result, with 1.4m (nearly five feet). Many other major French resorts are not far behind however and conditions are currently great at most, with fresh powder on a solid base. Les Contamines Montjoie and Peisey Vallandry each have 130cm (4.3 feet) bases with La Plagne and La Rosière1850 only 5cm (2 inches) less. In common with the rest of Europe temperatures have been very low however, dropping to about -16°C in Le Grand Bornand on Sunday morning. All major French resorts are now fully or partially open.
Switzerland continues to top the list for powder alarms in Europe. Today Vercorin reports a remarkable 90cm (three feet) of new snow, and eight out of the top ten snowfall reports in Europe are in Switzerland. Andermatt-Gotthard claims the most snow in the country with 2.5m (over eight feet), St Moritz has 1.8m (over 6 feet), Laax 168cm (5.6 feet) and Engelberg 165cm (5.5 feet). After Vercorin with 1.6m (5.3 feet), Champoussin on the French border in the Portes du Soleil has had the most snow in the past week with a metre of fresh.
Italy continues to have the greatest snow depth in the world at the Presena (3.8m/12.7 feet) and Marmolada (3.2m/10.6 feet) glaciers above Passo Tonale and Arabba respectively. The country has also seen some of the heaviest snowfall in Europe through the past week. With the north-western regions of Piemonte and the Aosta Valley doing especially well and snow falling in Turin. Bardonecchia and Macugnaga both reported 50cm (20 inches) of new snow each yesterday, Cervinia and La Thuile 40cm (16 inches) each.
Austrian ski areas typically received another 20-30m (8-12 inches) of snow at the start of the week, Wilma Himmelfreundpointner of St Anton Tourism commented, "I had the pleasure to enjoy the perfectly prepared slopes and the great mountain view on Sunday and I can only say it’s a winter’s dream". St. Anton currently has 28 lifts opened and 68km of slopes prepared. After the powder alarm on Monday (20 cm) and 5cm of new snow so far today (Wednesday) the resort has 130cm (4.3 feet) of snow on upper slopes now and 30cm (a foot) in the valley. Across Austria the Mölltal glacier continues to have the most snow with 230cm (7.6 feet) , the Kaunertal glacier 191cm (6.3 feet) and the Hintertux glacier 170cm (6.6 feet). Großglockner/Heiligenblut has had the most snow in the country in the past week with 40cm (16 inches). A quarter of it falling today. Bad Kleinkirchheim had 30cm (a foot) yesterday.
It snowed all weekend in Germany. The Allgäu Alps reported the biggest snowfalls in the country, but there were many powder alarms in the central uplands, too. Temperatures reached a low of - 28C and immense snowfalls caused traffic chaos while hundreds of skiers and snowboarders entered the slopes in the Sauerland region and enjoyed up to 35cm (14 inches) of new snow that had fallen over the past week. Dozens of powder alarms have been issued by German resorts in recent days, mostly for 20-30cm (8-12 inches) in 24 hours. Ofterschwang reported 25 cm of new snow last night. The resort is open partially and will open completely on Christmas Eve tomorrow. Rainer Hartmann, manager of Ofterschwanger Bergbahnen was happy about the cold temperatures allowing snow production and also about the great snowfalls last night: "Now we can offer our guests a great ski resort for Christmas!", he said. The Zugspitzplatt has the most snow in the country with 170cm (5.6 feet), Oberstdorf – Nebelhorn has 110cm (3.6 feet).
Heavy snow and low temperatures across most of Eastern Europe has allowed about 75% of the ski areas to either fully open or at least open some slopes in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia to open at the weekend. In Bulgaria, Pamporovo and Borovets have joined Bansko in opening their slopes this weekend, a week after Bansko. Snowfalls of up to 430cm have been reported and Bansko has the greatest base depth of up to 70cm (2.3 feet). Romania's leading resort of Poiana Brasov has partially opened following fresh snow there, it is currently reporting temperatures in double digits below zero. Most of Slovenia's ski areas also opened at the weekend too, after the warm snap that affected much of mainland Europe finally ended. Krvavec, which has been voted the best resort in the country by a Croatian Ski Magazine for three years in a row, has a 55cm (22 inch) base. Most of Slovakia's leading ski areas have also opened at the weekend, the new Kosutka ski centre which opened last winter has 40cm (16 inches) of snow.
To the north some serious snow arrived last week in Scandinavia, particularly from Thursday through to Tuesday. In Sweden Bydalen got the most with 45cm (18 inches) of new snow, followed by Vemdalen with 39cm (16 inches). Hassela got 30cm (a foot) and Tandådalen 22cm (9 inches). Vemdalen and Ramundberget have the greatest snow depths in the country at the moment with 80cm (Nearly three feet) to enjoy off-piste. The forecast shows really low temperatures all over the country for the upcoming Christmas Holiday.
It’s a similar picture in Norway with cold crisp weather (25 below zero this morning in Hemsedal) and fresh snow. Voss was one of the main beneficiaries, issuing a powder alarm at the weekend.
Spain has also had snowy news and the very cold weather currently common across Europe. A succession of Atlantic fronts has brought a mixture of snow and rain in the last few days. Now ski resorts are looking to the Christmas holidays optimistically. On Monday it snowed again in Madrid and snow is expected again all over Spain's Ski resorts in the next few days. Baqueira currently has the most terrain open in the country with 77km. Formigal is a few kilometres behind with 71km and has some of the deepest snow at 90cm (three feet). Conditions have improved a lot in Masella (25-55 cm powder and 41km) and has opened today a new ski area served by a new chairlift called La Pia Express (picture attached). Sierra Nevada is reporting 20-100 cm of powder snow but it is currently closed due to the strong wind.
Andorra has had a little new snow too but snow depths could still do with a perk up – they’re currently in the 30-60cm (1-2 foot) range.
Western Canada is still receiving plenty of snow after the record falls of November. Red Mountain in British Columbia says it has received 73 cm (29 inches) of new snow since last week and Fernie 35cm (14 inches) in the past 48 hours. Whistler continues to build its incredible base ahead of the Olympics, with healthy falls through the past seven days meaning another 1.2m (4 feet) has fallen. Whitler’s seasaon-to-date snowfall is noew already nearing 7 metres (21 feet) and its mid-mountain base 2.5m (8.3 feet). Currently it recommends The saddle Gs course as one of the best on the mountain. Eastern Canada is also looking good. Mont-Sainte-Anne has the largest open terrain in the Province of Quebec with 30 slopes open and nearby Stoneham Mountain Resort is following close by with 9 slopes. In total, almost 50km of slopes are available to skiers and riders, in addition to the 109km of XC trails open at the Mont-Sainte-Anne Cross-country Skiing Center!. The low temperatures of last week allowed Mont-Sainte-Anne to pursue its snowmaking efforts with 100% of its system in operation. Snow guns have now been moved to the mountain’s expert terrain to open a maximum number of runs for the holidays. So far the resorts have received 143 cm of snow.
It’s a similar picture in the US where, like in much of Europe, cold temperatures and heavy sow have brought chaos to metroplitan areas as well as plenty of snow to the si slopes of New england in great time for christmas and the New Year. Whoiteface mountain reports it has "a ton" of snow, most other resorts in the region are claiming several feet of new cover (30-60cm). At Squaw Valley USA in California it just won’t stop snowing. Three weeks into December and the resort has already received 100 inches (2.5m) of snow. Days-on-end of snow accumulation have allowed resort operators to get the mountain 100% open for the Holidays.
Revelers can catch Santa and his Elf in the Village or out on the slopes, enjoying the phenomenal conditions.

Snowboard Freeride World Champion 2008 and 2009 talks about next season

Xavier De Le Rue entered the legend of snowboarding after becoming Freeride World Champion in 2008 and 2009. FWT went to meet up with this laidback, easy going character in his home near Verbier, Switzerland. Xavier is planning to have the craziest season you can think of in 2010, defending his title on the FWT, seeking a Gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics in Boardercross, and then pursuing major filming projects.
The third season of the Freeride World Tour will start on the Russian slopes of Sochi on January 21st followed by the Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc on January 30th. The Tour will then journey to the United States to the mythical Tram Face in Squaw Valley on February 27th. Finally, those riders with the top ratings will compete in the Tour's grand final in Verbier on March 20th during the Nissan Xtreme by Swatch which celebrates its 15th year.

Aurélien Ducroz talks about the Freeride World Tour

Aurélien Ducroz, the winner of the Nissan Xtreme-Verbier and the Freeride World Champion 2009, talks about each of his performances from last season and his perspective on the upcoming Freeride World Tour. The third season of the FWT will start on the Russian slopes of Sochi on January 21st followed by the Nissan Freeride de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc on January 30th. The Tour will then journey to the United States to the mythical Tram Face in Squaw Valley on February 27th. Finally, those riders with the top ratings will compete in the Tour's grand final in Verbier on March 20th during the Nissan Xtreme by Swatch which celebrates its 15th year.

Ice Climbing World Championships in Saas-Fee

The world's finest ice climbers will again gather in the glacier village of Saas-Fee from 15 to 23 January 2010. In a new development this year, one whole week will be entirely devoted to ice climbing: from presentations by Ueli Steck and Ines Papert about the European Ice Climbing Youth Championships (the competition will take place in Saas-Grund), right down to the annual World Cup and the Swiss Masters.
The Ice Climbing World Championships in Saas-Fee’s multi-storey car park are a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with top class athletes and experience the exuberant atmosphere of the ice climbing scene. The competitions take place in a unique location that is very unlikely to be replicated elsewhere.
The 10-storey car park in Saas-Fee can also be used as a venue for staging the competitions in bad weather. Its round tower acts as a spectacular grandstand for spectators. So every year a good 2,000 spectators can follow all the action live and up close from each storey of the spiralling ramp in the car park. At the same time the first guests can already step out onto the dance floor deep down in the party zone and celebrate the dazzling performances of the athletes to the full. The competitions will be relayed live on a big screen in the party zone throughout the evening, with the best scenes being shown again at the end. On both days there will also be a live band providing musical entertainment.
This year the organisers are once again expecting a good 100 athletes from 14 nations who will take part in the UIAA World Cup and the Swiss Masters in ice climbing. As last year, 2010 will begin with both "lead" and "speed" disciplines. "Lead" involves a long, taxing climb with a safety rope during which climbers can reach a height of up to 35 metres. The victor is the person who can cover the greatest distance in the allotted time. Amongst other things, a tally is made of the number of carbines into which the climber has been able to hook the rope. "Speed" climbing, as the name suggests, involves climbing as quickly as possible up an approx. 15 metre vertical ice wall. Top athletes can climb it in around 13 seconds.

Best Photo of the Year for Skiing Magazine

In the December issue, Skiing Magazine compiled the 24 favorite photos of the year. Then they asked for readers help in narrowing it down to the Best Photo of the Year. The online votes have been tallied and this shot of Wiley Miller at Haines (Alaska) by Jeff Cricco/Level 1 Productions is the winner of the Readers' Choice Award for Best Photo of the Year for Skiing Magazine.
"This was shot on the first run of the trip. The crew tried to get out the previous day, but the heli landed on a cornice that broke loose. They called it a day after that", said Jeff Cricco.

Western US Resorts Score Over 6 Feet (1.9m) Of Snow In 7 Days

Skiinfo reports that over the past week the big snow news has been in the Western US where resorts in California have reported an average of almost a foot (30cm) of snow per day for the past week. Squaw Valley (picture attached) says it received more than six feet (1.9m) in seven days, and expects more at the weekend. The snow was greatly needed to boost base levels, which are now up around 1.5m (five feet) and represented nearly a fifth of the usual annual snowfall at the resort.
In Europe the best news of the past week has been a dramatic lowering in temperatures. This has led to double-digit below-zero temperatures at higher elevations, but more importantly means lower slopes are seeing subzero temperatures enabling the snowmaking guns to work even if mother nature isn’t providing enough of the natural stuff in some places.
It has been very cold since Sunday in France, just in time for the big increase in skier numbers expected at the weekend. Nearly all of the major resorts are now open, more than 40 in total and all are expected to open this weekend. Overall there has been little fresh snow in France in the past week with about 10cm (four inches) falling on the Pyrenees and both the north and the Southern Alps. A little more snowfall is expected this Friday. La Clusaz currently reports the deepest snow in the country with 140cm (4.6 feet). Cauterets, La Plagne and Alpe d'Huez all have at least a metre. World Snowboard Day returns for its 4th edition this Sunday, December 20th. The idea is to discover for free the joys of snowboarding and the snowboard culture.
Austria has had some new snow with lower temperatures helping to bring the freezing point further down the slopes. The glaciers still have the greatest snow depths was Molltal leading the way with a 230cm (7.6 foot) base. Kaunertal is not far behind with 1.9m (6.3 feet). The latest fresh snow in the country of 10-20cm (4-8 inches) has been reported at Eben, Zauchensee and Flachau. Most Austrian resorts that are not yet open will open this weekend: "We’ve had fresh snow but a little less than expected, at the moment there’s 35cm (14 inches) on upper slopes", said Anna-Christina Moser of Alpbacher Bergbahnen, "Snow conditions are good now not only because of the latest snowfalls but particularly because of the cold temperatures, allowing our 85 snow guns to produce snow 24 hours a day". Alpbach opens this Friday December 18th and will have their longest slope in operation and all the lifts at the Wiedersbergerhorn. Stuhleck Semmering and Kleinwalsertal celebrated their winter openings last weekend. Sandra Janser of Kleinwalsertal Tourismus said, "Last weekend we officially started the winter season and the long awaited snowfall arrived right on time. The slopes are in good condition now and we’ll open more lifts as soon as the snow will allow it". Currently Fellhorn/ Kanzelwand has eight lifts in operation, Ifen and Waldmendinger Horn are likely to join next weekend.
Parts of Switzerland have received up to 55cm (nearly two feet) of snow in the past week. Laax, which is reporting the second deepest snow base in the country at present with 168 cm (5.6 feet) was one of the major beneficiaries with 51cm (20 inches), Disentis got the 55cm. Arosa and Kanderstag added 30cm (a foot) each.
Italy continues to report some of the healthiest snowfalls in Europe, with another 70cm (2.3 feet) in Val Gardena in the Dolomites, and 60cm (two feet) for Limone Piemonte in the west of the country. This week the snow started to cover central Italy (Lazio e Abruzzo) and for next two days the forecast are for snowfall down to altitudes around 400-500m in these areas.
Arabba Marmolada has the greatest snow depth in the country, and in Europe at present with 312 cm (10.5 feet), the Presena Glacier above Passo Tonale has 300cm (10 feet) and Bormio 190cm (6.3 feet). The Sky Mountaineering World Cup will be staged this weekend (18 -20 December) in Pila and the Aosta Valley. The race makes ski mountaineering manageable in small stages and participation is limited to athletes with ski mountaineering licences from official bodies in Italy or any other country.
Cold weather has arrived in the Pyrenees too and last Monday has snowed in Madrid and today snow is expected again all over Spain. Aramon's Javalambre (opening Friday December 18) and Valdelinares ski resorts received the greatest snowfall. At the moment Baqueira Beret, with a 30-60cm (1-2 foot) base has the most terrain open with73km of runs, whilst Astun, has the most snow with an 85cm (nearly 3 foot) base on upper slopes. Most of the other resorts have similar bases to Baqueira but more limited terrain. Outside the Pyrenees in Spain only Sierra Nevada with 20-40cm (8-16 inches) and 10km of runs available is open for skiers. Aramon, which runs several leading Spanish ski areas, has announced a big event for this winter called "Pirineos Sur Winter". The First Edition of the Festival will take place in Formigal from February 12 until March 13 and feature a mix of local and International artists like Brazilian Carlinhos Brown on the programme.
It’s a similar snow picture in Andorra where snow depths are shallow and the snow hard packed, but again the current weather conditions should mean an improvement by the weekend.
In Eastern Europe, Bansko in Bulgaria had its annual celebrity opening last weekend with its biggest swathe of former ski stars yet in attendance including Pirmin Zurbriggen, Mark Girardelli, Paul Accola and Patrick Ortlieb. It reported 50cm of much needed snow arriving just in time for opening day and Bulgaria’s other leading resort, Borovets, has received fresh snow too and aims to open shortly.
In Northern Europe Germany has been enjoying its first good snowfalls of the winter. In many parts of the country it’s snowing again today and weather forecasters are predicting more over the next few days with temperatures below zero in most areas. The Central German Uplands currently have up to 25cm (10 inches) of snow. Snow making systems in Winterberg have delivered 20cm (8 inches) of snow and Wintersportzentrum Sellinghausen issued a powder alarm with 20cm of new snow. In the Schwarzwald, where the snow is falling, there is 20cm of snow on the Feldberg at the moment, in the Allgäu there’s up to 50cm (20 inches) of snow.
Further north in to Scandinavia resorts in Norway and Sweden have been reporting falls of 15-30cm (6-12 inches) through the last week. In Norway Voss was one of the big winners with 15cm (6 inches) of new snow. As with the alps it has also become very cold making good conditions for further snowmaking.
Across the North Sea to Scotland, Cairngorm above Aviemore remains open with a dusting of fresh snow, and more snow forecat over the next few days which could be good news for its neighbouring Eastern Highlands ski areas of Glenshee and The Lecht which have not been open to open so far.
As reported above the biggest snowfalls of the past seven days have been in the Western US states, but further north the snow is still falling with Whistler (Canada) reporting another 10cm (four inches) overnight. The picture has further improved on the East Coast too, especially in Quebec with resorts like Mont ste Anne and Stoneham reporting up to 50cm (20 inches) of fresh snow and new snow and lower temperatures in New England to the south too, where resorts like Attitash in New Hampshire, Stratton in Vermont and Sunday river in Maine have reports 12-18 cm (5-7 inches).

Scott signs a new partnership with the Freeride World Tour

The leading international sports equipment manufacturer Scott Sports has supported the Freeride World Tour as official supplier of skis, poles, eyewear, helmet and back protection since its first edition in 2008. A new partnership has now been signed extending the agreement to 2013, which also includes Scott as the official outerwear supplier of the 2010 Freeride World Tour.
Scott’s commitment to the Freeride World Tour (FWT) goes beyond equipment and financial support. Scott supports some of the world’s best riders including 2008 FWT Runner-Up Seb Michaud, Austria’s Matthias Haunholder who won the 2009 FWT stop in Tignes and snowboard legend Jeremy Jones. This coming winter season will see Scott heavily promoting the FWT and its riders with a range of retail activity, posters and displays. Further, a limited edition "Freeride World Tour Goggle" will be sold in selected shops at the four FWT event resorts.
"It is really rewarding for the Freeride World Tour to see one of the leaders in the ski industry commit for another three years. Scott and the FWT are planning long-term and our partnership that runs to 2013 is an integral part of our growth strategy", commented Nicolas Hale-Woods, Founder and organiser of the Freeride World Tour.
"The freeride movement with the Freeride World Tour and its qualifier events is the main focus in event sponsoring for Scott Wintersport. Apart from the World Tour we are also partner of several qualifier events such as the Scott Big Mountain Fieberbrunn (AUT), Nendaz Freeride (SUI) and Czeck Open (SUI)", stated Marc Roesti, Marketing Manager Wintersport, Scott.
In the Freeride World Tour third season the world's best skiers and snowboarders will yet again be battling it out in four of the world's most prestigious ski resorts. It will all start on the Russian slopes of Sochi in January followed closely by the next stage in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France. The Tour will then journey to the United States to "ride" the mythical Tram Face, that has not yet officially been cleared for a freeriding competition. Finally, those riders with the top ratings will compete in the Tour's grand final in Verbier during the Nissan Xtreme by Swatch which celebrates its 15th year.

Freestyle Premiere season opening in Suomu (Finland)

FIS Freestyle World Cup season 2009-2010 will be opened tomorrow at Suomu. The ski resort will host the international top level mogul event for both ladies and men.
Also two FIS Europa Cup mogul events took place in the previous weekend. From this series of competitions Events In Suomu Oy, Ski Sport Finland and Suomutunturi Ski Resort have put together an event called Freestyle Premiere 2009.
Suomu fell is located on the Arctic Circle, in Lapland in the Kemijärvi region and is known as Santa’s official ski resort. Suomu lies among a densely wooded area that provides shelter for cross-country and downhill skiers, with plenty of soft snow, while other resorts have hard and icy conditions. Starting in the mid-1960s, Suomu’s skiing history is world renowned. The grandfather of Freestyle, the HotDog Ski, came to Finland in the 1970s and in 1989 Suomu hosted Finland’s first Freestyle World Cup competition. The wind protected slopes of the region have helped to produce freestyle artists right up to World and Olympic champions.
Suomu has hosted its last world cup 20 years ago. Since then, Suomu as the home of Avalache Ski Club, has produced many world class skiers. FIS Freestyle Race Director Joe Fitzgerald is pleased that Suomu will host an event of Freestyle World Cup. Since Nagano he has been told that this is the point of the world which produces the most of the best mogul skiers if you compare the amount of skiers and population.
Freestyle World Cup Opening will take place in the middle of the polar night!

Compagnie des Alpes acquires Deux Alpes

Compagnie des Alpes, along with several financial partners, has just acquired nearly 90% of the capital of Deux Alpes Loisirs (DAL), a company that exploits the ski area of Deux- Alpes (Isère).
To execute the acquisition, the partners united in a CDA-led consortium to create an ad hoc investment vehicle, Deux Alpes Invest, whose capital is divided among Compagnie des Alpes (60%), Caisse des Dépôts (19%), Banque Populaire des Alpes (12.6%) and Caisse d’Epargne Rhône Alpes (8.4%). The consortium's memorandum of understanding grants CDA operational and financial control over Deux Alpes Loisirs while allowing its partners to participate actively in governance and to protect their fundamental proprietary interests.
Specific provisions have been made for transferring securities and returns, allowing CDA the possibility to increase its shareholding in Deux Alpes Invest over the medium-term while also ensuring its partners' investments.
Deux Alpes Invest financed the transaction solely through equity capital without taking on any debt. The €46 million transaction is based on a 100% enterprise value of €47 million, or a multiple of 4.8 times EBITDA, based on DAL Group results at September 30, 2009. The share financed by CDA amounted to €27.7 million.
The Deux Alpes ski area offers the kind of scope and quality necessary to meet the selection criteria specific to CDA's business model:

• Its size — 430 hectares (1.7 sq. mi., 1,060 acres), 225 km (140 mi.) of ski runs, 55 ski lifts — makes it comparable to other large Group ski areas, such as Les Menuires and Serre Chevalier. It is the tenth largest French resort in terms of sales.
• Thanks to the site’s altitude and infrastructure, skiing quality is up to the highest standards; skiers can enjoy altitude of up to 3,600 meters (11,800 ft.), on Europe's largest skiable glacier.
• The resort offers plentiful accommodations, with nearly 30,000 rental beds, and hosts an exceptionally international clientele (almost 50% of winter customers) every year.

With more than 1.32 million skier days in the 2008-2009 winter season, Deux Alpes Loisirs generated consolidated sales of €40.6 million, including €32.5 million for lifts and €4.6 million in package vacation sales from its travel agency and €0.9 million from its real estate activity, which was limited to end-of-project disposals.
For CDA Chairman - Chief Executive Officer Dominique Marcel, "this acquisition, executed under excellent terms, illustrates CDA Group's ability to seize opportunities for external growth without weighing on its balance sheet. Deux Alpes perfectly meets the Group's longstanding criteria and contains great growth potential, notably in creating new lodging capacity. As the DAL majority shareholder, CDA will henceforth pursue the active management of our business portfolio that I announced at the end of 2008, which has already been evidenced by our disposal of shareholdings in Téléverbier, Saas Fee and SMVP. CDA is thus proving its resolve to optimize its resource allocation and focus on assets for which it can create value. As a transaction carried out in consortium, this acquisition also reflects the Group's ability to finance its growth through targeted partnerships. Having Caisse des Dépôts, Banque Populaire des Alpes and Caisse d’Epargne Rhône Alpes by our side shows their support of Group strategy and demonstrates our shared commitment to local development".

After A Warm Snap Inflicts Some Weekend Damage, It’s Back To Snow For Most

Skiinfo reports that 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 las 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). 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 (Canada) 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 (US) 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 (picture attached) 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.