7 of 9 Resorts With Most Terrain Open Already Are in Austria
7 of 9 Resorts With Most Terrain Open Already Are in Austria
Published : 08-Dec-2024 02:41
Over 100 ski areas have now opened in Austria including most of the country's larger centres. And whilst this weekend has seen the 3 Valleys open its sectors, plus connections between Tignes and Val d'Isere link up for 24-25, and other giant areas like Italy's Via Lattea (Milky Way) open, joining other big areas like the 4 Valleys, it's in Austria where the main battle seems to be to open the most terrain as quickly as possible.
Seven of the top 10 resorts posting the most open terrain in Europe are in Austria, with Ischgl taking the top spot with 160km of slopes already. Almost all of the seven have 100km or more of slopes open already.
Interestingly, the Austrian areas have managed to open large amounts of terrain below 2,000m altitudes despite much of the autumn snowfall being at higher elevations. It appears cold temperatures have allowed snowmakers to create valley runs.
Currently though its below zero degrees down to sea level and snow is falling to valley floors across Austria and mountains across much of Europe.
Besides Ischgl, 2025 Alpine Skiing World Championships hosts Saalbach Hinterglemm (pictured above this weekend) are in 4th place with 120km of slopes open and newly opened Mayrhofen is in fifth with just a few kilometres less.
Solden, St Anton, the Skiwelt and Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis are in 6th to 9th spots with 93-106km open a piece.
With Christmas week less than a fortnight away it seems certain that areas in France, Italy and Switzerland that have more extensive terrain than any Austrian centre will move to offer more runs, but for now Austria continues to leads in terms of number of centres and terrain open, as it has all autumn to date.
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