There are great snow conditions in the Alps this week after the heavy snowfall a week ago built up bases with up to a metre of fresh cover.
Temperatures which dropped in to double digits below freezing during the 48 hour blizzard that brought snow down to low levels have risen back up to around the freezing point on the mountains and the sun has been out with blue skies for near perfect conditions.
There are now 18 glaciers open in the big four alpine nations, with Austria reporting the most to choose from with eight centres open, including five in Tirol alone. There are now five glaciers to choose from in Switerland after Engelberg and Glacier 3000 above les Diablerets opened at the weekend. Zermatt, which is open year round is pictured above. Three glaciers are open in Italy, including Cervinia which opens full time from this weekend after being open on weekends in October. Then in France the choice is between Tignes and Les 2 Alpes, although the latter closes again for a few weeks after this weekend.
Hintertux is believed to have the most terrain open at present with more than 40km (25 miles) of runs available and over 1,000m of vertical skiable.
