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Recent FIS News
Below you will find a listing of recent FIS News
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Easter week concludes skiing season in many resorts
Falling at the latest possible calendar dates this year, the Easter weekend will provide the final opportunity to enjoy spring skiing, snowboarding in most places this season. Most of the European ski resorts will close after the Easter week if they have not closed already due to the unseasonal warm weather in Central Europe since middle of March. The following provides a quick overview of the snow situation around the world:
The last snow arrived in the western Alps at the end of last week. Heavy snowfall was reported from Garmisch with 50 cm on the Zugspitze glacier, one of only three ski areas still open in Germany. In Austria about 50 snow resorts are still open but about a half will close after the Easter weekend and 10 more a week later. The conditions are expected to be fine even if no new snowfall is expected.
In Switzerland, six resorts reports of snow levels from over 2 metres. Saas Fee has 19 of 22 lifts open while Engelberg has 12 in use. In France, the season is also approaching the end as most of the still open 43 venues will close latest a week after Easter.
No new snow has been reported in Italy in the past week and temperatures are warm. More than a dozen areas including Bormio, Livigno and Madesimo have a snow depth of more than one and a half metres and the Presena Glacier, which will probably be open to June, has one of the deepest accumulations in Europe with 360cm.
Scandinavia really comes in to its own in April and beyond as the northerly latitude helps to keep the snow in great shape for late-April and early-May events in resorts like Are in Sweden. Cross-Country Skiing is aksi still possible in a lot of resorts especially in Norway where on 30th April, the traditional Skarverenet will take place with several top athletes including Curdin Perl (SUI).
In North America, the situation looks a bit different. Although many ski areas just closed or are closing soon, the USA has dominated snowfall totals in the first part of this month. Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Washington State resorts reported 60-120cm of new snow, whilst on the East Coast too, where Killington in Vermont announced it will remain open until May, some resorts like Sugarloaf and Wildcat have reported up to 60cm of new snow.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in California has received over 15 meters of snow this winter, more than ever before, and it is currently lying more than six meters deep. Mammoth has extended its season to be open daily and right through to July 4th, the American Independence Day.
While the winter is nearing its end in the northern hemisphere, the southern part of the earth is looking forward to their snow season. The first snow has already been reported from New Zealand at the beginning of this month.
Included contributions by Skiinfo.com