Levi, Finland image

Yesterday (1 November) saw the end to the Summer Ski Season in Italy with Stelvio closing its doors, and tomorrow (Friday 3 November) sees the end to the summer ski season in Scandinavia with Norway’s Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Area spinning its lift for the final time in 2023.

But with temperatures dropping and the combination of artificial snow making and fresh snow falling, it won’t be long before the Italian and Norwegian resorts open for the winter season.

As one door closes, another opens and yesterday saw the second Colorado resort open with Keystone Resort becoming the second US resort to open for the season, joining Arapahoe Basin which opened last weekend.

Today Sommet-Saint-Sauveur in Quebec becomes the first Canadian resort to open for the 2023/24 sinter season, with Mt Norquay and Lake Louise both in Alberta opening tomorrow (Friday 03 November).

In Europe, the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier above Kaprun opens tomorrow making it the 7th glacier resort open in Austria.

We’ll be posting twice weekly snow reports on Mondays and Thursdays throughout Winter 2023/24, so bookmark us or better yet subscribe to get the latest snow news and our tips for where the snow will be.

If you’re out in resort drop us a line via our social media channels to share your ‘on the snow’ experiences and photos.

Ruka, Finland

WHAT’S OPEN NOW

The Finnish resorts of Levi and Ruka, and the Swedish resort of Kabdalis have opened up more terrain thanks to continued snowmaking and natural snowfall.

Ski resorts open in Scandinavia:

– Levi (5/26 lifts; 5/38.5km piste; 10-26cm base)
– Ruka (7/22 lifts; 5/19km piste; 20-30cm base) in Finland
– Kabdalis (2/4 lifts; 3/9km piste; 30-90cm base) in Sweden
– Galdhøpiggen (1/1 lift; 1.5/2km piste; 30-100cm base) in Norway

There’s been plenty of fresh snow across the higher peaks of Europe the past 3-4 days with 30-50cm falling on the glacier resorts and conditions much improved.

Volatile conditions above 2,000m may mean temporary closures.

Resort open right now in Austria include:

– Hintertux (7/21 lifts; 25km piste; 0-20cm base)
– Kaunertal (3/7 lifts; 6/55km piste; 0-47cm base)
– Molltaler (0/9 lifts; 0/43km piste; 0-10cm base)
– Pitztal (6/7 lifts; 9/41km piste; 0-40cm base)
– Solden (8/31 lifts; 23/143km piste; 0-97cm base)
– Stubai (4/26 lifts; 6/68km piste; 0-40cm)

Kitzsteinhorn glacier, Kaprun image

Ed Mannix in Zermatt has reported that, “With the recent snow falls, runs are open above Trockener Steg and on some upper runs on the Cervinia side as we prepare for the FIS downhill races starting on 11 November.”

Switzerland has two areas open for skiing:

– Saas Fee (8/23 lifts; 11/100km; 0-220cm base)
– Zermatt (8/51 lifts; 18/332km piste; 0-200cm base)

Across the pond, Arapahoe Basin (1/9 lift; 1/105km piste; 46-46cm base) and Keystone 3/21 lift; 3/132km piste; 10-60cm base) in Colorado are the two resorts open in the USA.

Sommet-Saint-Sauveur (1/8 lift; 1/38km piste; 10-20cm base) in Quebec, Canada is also open for business.

Sommet Saint Sauveur, Quebec

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT 3-4 DAYS

The mercury continues to drop across the mountainous areas of the N Hemisphere.

The Alps will see a mix of clear days and snowfall and the freezing level dropping to 1,500m.

The Nordic countries will see below freezing temperatures and clear skies in the coming days, perfect for continued snowmaking and base building.

North American resorts are gearing up for the traditional Opening Weekend over the national Thanksgiving holidays, beginning on Thursday 23 November with consistent snowfall forecast.

Katie Young image | Keystone Resort, USA