After the disastrous 2007/2008 snow season, skiers and boarders all across Europe were overjoyed last year when the powder fell and continued to do so right throughout the winter period. This year looks like another bumper snow extravaganza with several of Europe’s biggest resorts already opening their doors to thrill seeking piste carving junkies.
Although some resorts do maintain an all-year-round presence, the season doesn’t truly kick off until the start of December. However, this year seems different, Skiinfo.co.uk have already released over 100 powder reports notifying skiers of resorts receiving snowfall of 20cm or more a day. With the snow falling heavily across the continent, some of Europe’s biggest resorts have already opened for the pre-season session. If you’re thinking of heading out this year then you may want to consider taking a quick look at these three locations.
Verbier
Voted by thousands as one of the greatest ski resorts in the world, Verbier is definitely one to bookmark. Situated in Switzerland near the French border, the resort can be easily accessed by organising car hire in Geneva or by train. Verbier has become one of most exclusive resorts in the world due to its vibrant nightlife, fantastic off-piste, multiple green/blue/red runs as well as a large amount of black runs, all spread out across 162 hectares of skiable terrain.
St. Anton Am Arlberg
Another one of the worlds most prestigious ski resorts and known by many as the ‘cradle of Alpine skiing’. One of the first ever ski clubs opened here in 1901 and the town held the World Alpine Skiing Championship a century later in 2001. Easily accessed either by train or by organising car hire in Austria. Since its creation St. Anton has become well known as a hedonistic haven containing some of Europe’s best on and off-piste runs. The resort boasts 105 hectares of skiable terrain and contains a good mix of green, blue and red runs.
Chamonix
Well there’s not a lot you really need to say about Chamonix, it’s arguably the greatest ski resort in the world rivalled only by a few other such as Aspen. The resort lies in the shadow of Mt Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain, and contains over 308 hectares of skiable terrain which included some of world’s greatest on and off-piste runs.
Fore great ski info on where to go and whats open take a look at onthesnow.co.uk
i want to go snowboarding there!
I’m so jelous of those of you in Europe. I’m from America and we don’t have any really good snow here yet. Lucky you.
I really need to get to chamonix! i heard from multiple sources that it is amazing!!! i would be extremely jealous if i didnt just finish skiing 60+cm of fresh powder at snowbird ski resort in Salt lake city UT. still one of my dreams is to ski in europe
There is certainly a lot of snow in the alps now. Christmas was a little bear but January is looking good. Just a word of warning though. As the temperature has been very mild we’ve had a lot of rain and then heavy snow which means that there is a high avalanche risk.
Yeah, just boarded in Chamonix, and there a few avalanches, but the skiing and boarding was amazing, a few days of great powder followed by days of clear blue sky!!!! Going back in April and May- Can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m crazy about snowboarding, very much like such photos and I want there right now.