Heavy snowfalls in the Alps have improved conditions in many resorts, and raised the chances of fine pre-Easter skiing. There has been more in France and Switzerland. North America has seen a lot of new snow in the West, almost too much in California, while Colorado and Utah have confident snow bases.
Andorra: All five resorts have got reasonable depths, ranging between 70cm on lower slopes and 160cm higher up. They have been enjoying bright sunny days and good piste skiing with off-piste powder.
Austria: Nearly every resort benefited from the long awaited dumps in the eastern Alps. Mayrhofen (15/180cm) at midweek was cold and enjoying 'excellent pistes' and power off them, though warm winds were expected. The resort was busy. Seefeld (80/230cm) had good skiing in 'glorious' conditions. At popular Soll (50/150cm) the new snow had improved the skiing, and even runs to resort were good. St Anton (80/320cm) had come into its own, though there were considerable avalanche risks and more snow was expected. Westendorf (80/160cm), favoured by less experienced skiers, was enjoying good pistes. Alpbach (80/120cm) was doing even better with excellent pistes. Kitzbühel (40/140cm) was back to its old self for nearly the first time this winter, with sunny, excellent pistes. Another British favourite Obergurgl (70/260cm) was cold and cloudy, expecting even more snow. Further east Saalbach/Hinterglemm (95/135cm) had wonderful skiing, but there were avalanche risks.
Bulgaria: Skiing is much better at Borovets (20/55cm) and Pamporovo (20/56cm), with some off-piste powder after fresh snow.
Canada: Lake Louise (74/120cm) had good skiing in sunny, cold weather. Whistler (122/172cm) was sunny and warmer, and could do with some fresh snow. In the East, Tremblant (105/120cm) is cold but having one of its best seasons.
France: This weekend sees the finish of the staggered French skiing holidays. My reporter in Val d'Isère (70/220cm) says the piste and off-piste are 'good and expected to improve' despite it being busy. Chamonix (10/145cm) was cloudy and warm, getting ready for its five-day Cham Jam festival, which starts tomorrow, with competitions up on the Grands Montets. Radio 1 is due there on Thursday and Ski Sunday promising coverage while MTV throws a snowball party at the Bar du Moulin on Wednesday evening.
In the Three Valleys, Courchevel (20/100cm) still had some good skiing, as did Méribel (40/120cm), Les Menuires (45/135cm) and Val Thorens (80/180cm). More snow was hoped for though. Meribel has replaced Val d'Isère as the 'most romantic resort' in a poll among resort workers, with Courchevel remaining third.
Further south Les Deux Alpes (40/170cm) still had some good skiing higher up, as did Alpe d'Huez (67/220cm) after fresh snow. Isola (120/355cm) was sunny and with excellent pistes, despite not having had new snow for at least 10 days. Off-piste was variable.
Italy: Midweek snowfall improved conditions at Cervinia (100/180cm) though at the cost of higher avalanche risk. Cortina (30/191cm) also benefited and runs to resort were again in good condition. Maddona di Campiglio (70/240cm) was also looking forward to morer excellent skiing once visibility improved. Courmayeur (60/300cm) had fine midweek weather but no new snow. Pistes were still 'excellent' at Sauze d'Oulx but off-piste was 'crusty'. Arabba (80/250cm), despite no new snow for weeks,had 'excellent' pistes.
Norway: Hemsedal (120/190cm) and Geilo (115/130cm) had fine pistes and were still very cold. Voss (50/75cm) was better, thanks to new snow.
Sweden: Are (62/82cm) has improved.
USA: Jackson Hole, Wyoming, (158/168cm) has enjoyed some beautiful 'bluebird' clear-sky days. This week it hosts the twenty-third annual US National Powder Eights, with the winning team going on to the World Championships in Blue River, Canada. In Colorado, Winter Park (173/188cm) had fresh snow at the start of the week, but since then has been cloudy and dry. There was good powder skiing, with 18 lifts and 120 trails open.
Copper Mountain had 124cm midweek, Crested Butte 121cm, Keystone 114cm and Vail 121cm. All trails were open and enjoying packed powder. In Utah, where too much new snow did for the pre-Olympic downhills at Snowbasin (262cm average base), conditions have settled. All trails are open at Alta (241cm), Deer Valley (234cm), Park City (196cm) and Snowbird (241cm). In California, Mammoth (245/265cm) and Heavenly (95/175cm), are both excellent.
On the slopes: The tabloids' new 'queen of the It girls', Lady Victoria Hervey, is said to be going to ski in Courchevel this season instead of her usual choice, Verbier. Gerard Depardieu was seen on the lifts at Val D'Isère.
Best skiing: Courchevel, departing Saturday 10 March from Gatwick or Manchester, half-board at Chalet Athos, including free ski guiding. The price: £529 per person sharing, with flights and transfers. From Le Ski (0870 754 4444).
• The AITO directory of ski operators, whose representatives help to compile this report, is available free by calling 020 8607 9080.
