Snow News
The latest conditions and suggestions for skiing around the world. Click on the links for more details. This page was last updated on 07-Jan-2004.
| Latest snow and resort news | Most resorts are still closed, though a few have been open for Glacier skiing. Are you really keen? See who is likely to be the first to open! |
| Colorado is open - time to play? | Three resorts in Colorado opened their doors, lifts and slopes at the end of October. A special report from somebody who was there, just to make you jealous. |
| Warming up for the season | So, while you are thinking about all that skiing you hope to do this season - how are your muscles doing? I know it's not the real thing, but a few hours at the dry slope might refresh the memories and dust off the cobwebs. |
| Millennium Ski | It looks like the resorts may be emptier than usual (especially on Jan 1st - Ed.) - there are still places waiting for you to see in the millennium |
Latest Snow and Resort News
So it's November and the snow is falling, as it should do. Resorts in Colorado are already opening for serious business (see our report below). American resorts have a lot to offer the early season skier; many are high and hence cold enough to maintain snow, they are enthusiastic users of snow cannons and they are generally happier to open lifts prior to the Christmas rush.
Back over in the Alps, little usually happens before December, apart from those resorts with high glaciers. If you're thinking of a sneaky early December trip, it's always best to think high. So, the usual suspects are Tignes, Val Thorens and Alpe d'Huez in France, Saas-Fee and Zermatt in Switzerland, and St. Anton and Obergurgl in Austria.
To reassure you that there is snow in the Alps, 30cm of fresh snow was recorded in the first week of November in Argentiere, and the first World Cup races of the season took place in Tignes just over a week ago - and if there's enough snow to race down at 90mph, there's probably enough for the rest of us.
Or get in practice and limber up at your local dry slope - or if you live near the Midlands / Birmingham, flex your ski muscles at Tamworth Snowdome.
Hey Guys, they’re skiing in Colorado! (posted by Ruth on November 1st)
Yep, I was there - battering down the doors to get a taste of the season’s first fresh snow of the year. I had been checking the snow reports online and on the telephone. As Halloween weekend approached it was looking promising.
Like many years as soon as it is cold enough the resorts high in the Colorado mountains start working their artificial snow machines. But last week a cold front was sweeping across America, and heading straight for the mountains. Friday was the day - and a good fall of fresh snow made the resorts a great place to be! 3 to 6 inches of snow fell Friday and overnight and despite the calendar still saying October.
So, early Saturday morning I left Denver, heading towards the spiky horizon. Even from the hotel it was clear that the peaks were glistening white, and the excitement grew as I left the "mile high city" and started climbing into the mountain range.
Last night's reports told of 3 resorts ready to open - Keystone, Breckenridge and Loveland. Loveland is the closest to Denver, at 56 miles, and it sounded like the most runs open too, so Saturday saw me kitted out at the resort, buying my ticket ($25) and jumping on the lift.
Loveland: With the fresh snow on top of a respectable base, there were great conditions on Saturday. Four runs were open; a green run for delightful cruising, a couple of blues for fun, and a tough little black to just remind you how rusty you got over the summer.
The resort at Loveland does not have the high profile of Aspen et al., but on Saturday there were people from all over, chasing some of the loveliest snow conditions to be had. Folks from Denver and Colorado Springs were there - Vail too as they had nothing open - as well as the others like me who just managed to be in the area. Blue skies, a warming sunshine and that extra powder from Friday, well, no wonder the atmosphere was buzzing.
I’d love to come back when the whole "head of the valley" bowl opens up. The resort is just off the interstate, but a few minutes up the road it disappears into the tunnel – perfect. Loveland has all the necessary facilities: restaurants, ski hire and shops at the foot of the piste, and a bar for that end of day chat.
Breckenridge: Another blue sky day dawns and my lodge at Breckenridge has a breakfast room that looks across the valley at the ski runs. It wasn’t a particularly long breakfast….
I knew there were Lower Sundown and Upper Columbia to look forward to – intermediate slopes but Wow! what a great run. A much longer race down the hillside than the previous day – though fewer runs. Big wide sweeps take you from the top of a fast quad chair (past a mountain bar/restaurant), on gracefully between the trees to a gentle run-off to the lift and shops and bars...
Again the resort was attracting skiers and boarders from a wide area, as well as a fair number of locals. Some beginners taking lessons here as well. Breckenridge is one of those old mountain towns that seems to have a real heart as well as dozens of hotels, condos and apartments. Even at this time of the season there were busy bars and a choice of restaurants.
Well, 2 days of sunshine and snow – quite a weekend, and a red nose that looked like a touch of sunburn.
For ore info on Loveland and Breckenridge see our ski resorts pages.
Warming up for the season
So where is you nearest Dry Ski Slope then? Check out the dry slope listings courtesy of FallLine magazine
Or are you close to the Midlands? You could get a taste of the real, cold stuff before you go! Lessons, ski and snowboard hire, a shop and a bar at Tamworth Snowdome
Millennium Ski Holidays
If you thought you were going to be priced out of the market, we'd suggest you think again. Few operators have been able to justify their often daft initial prices and there are some holidays still waiting to be snatched up. There is a whole range of holidays on offer, with the cheaper end of the market on offer in some places at less than last year's prices!
The weekends get in the way somewhat this year, but you can still get deals from Sun 26th Dec - 2nd January. And if you think that flying is out of the question, you could always drive or take a train.
See you out there!
Return to top 
Snow news archive
Home Services
Offered Feedback -
email us
© Copyright Skiweb Ltd. 1999