Alpine skiing in Europe: April-May 2010

April for most ski resorts in Europe is the last month, when the slopes are still open to tourists. Traditionally, in April at many ski resorts in Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland are held ceremonies of the season closing. Often, closing of the season is a colorful and entertaining presentation, which attracts the interest of thousands of fans of alpine skiing. Nevertheless, in April 2010 due to heavy snowfalls, especially in the highlands, not all resorts are going to announce the closing of the season.

Alpine skiing in France: holidays up to May

About 35 French ski resorts are preparing for the closure of the season this weekend. However, a number of world-famous slopes are going to continue its work until the beginning of May. For example, among the ski resorts in France, which will close the season in May are Val d'Isere (May 2), Chamonix, Tignes, Val Thorens and La Grave (May 9).

Alpine skiing in Italy: closing in April

Many ski resorts in Italy had already closed the season last weekend. However, at a number of slopes in the Dolomites snow level still allows you to continue skiing. This week snowfalls allowed ski area of Monterosa to get an additional 35 cm of snow. In this regard, it was decided to extend the work of some of the lifts in Monterosa until early May. On April 17 will close the season ski resort of Pila in the Valle d’Aosta. As part of the closing ceremony at the resort will be held the last race of the season - giant slalom Desarpa Bianca. Such well-known ski resorts as Livigno and Bormio continue its work until May 2. Moreover, Livigno for attraction of tourists offers free rides to those who have booked at this resort hotels or accommodation in cottages and villas. One of the most popular ski resorts of Italy Madonna di Campiglio will close the season on April 20.

Alpine skiing in Austria: aplenty of snow

Ski resorts in Austria seem to have got a second wind. In the highlands of the Austrian Alps not so long ago were heavy snowfalls. Today the most high-quality snow cover is in Zolden – 2.5 meters of snow. More than two meters of snow is now on the slopes of Bad Gastein and St. Anton. Against this background, Ischgl, which also continued the season this weekend, looks modestly with its snow cover of 90 cm

Alpine skiing in Switzerland: resorts are open

At the ski resorts in Switzerland the average depth of snow cover is about 1 m. Therefore, it is logically that in such a situation the owners of resorts are not in hurry to close the season. Thus, in Saas-Fee from 22 lifts of the resort today are closed only 2. In the skiing region of Andermatt Gotthard owners are also not in a hurry with the closure. The local level of snow of 3.5-meter gives the hope that the tracks of the resort will be available until mid-May.