The Kaunertal Glacier has received another 14cm (seven inches) of fresh snow in the past week, taking its seasonal total since last autumn very close to the 10 metre mark (over 33 feet), on 984cm. Snow depth is 139cm (four and a half feet) on upper slopes at 3250m.On the Stubai Glacier near Innsbruck there are five lifts and five blue and red grade runs open on a 280cm (9.3 foot) base. 

The Hintertux glacier near Mayrhofen currently has one of the largest ski areas open with eight lifts operating serving 23km (14.5 miles) of terrain open including the ski-run down to Tuxer Ferner House at 2,660m.  Snow depth is 325cm (11 feet).It’s just ten days until the ski slopes re-open in France with Les 2 Alpes the first of the three remaining French summer ski areas (with Tignes and Val d’isere following ) to re-open on the 13th.  In the meantime the other two choices in the Alps are Italy and Switzerland.

In Italy the two red and one black run on the Presena Glacier above Passo Tonale were joined last  weekend by the re-opened Passo Stelvio summer ski area. Temperatures on the upper slopes have been hovering a few degrees below zero and fresh snow is expected there at the weekend.  A third Italian summer ski area, Val Senales, is scheduled to open in 10 days on the 13th.With Saas Fee still closed the 365-day-a-year open snow slopes of Zermatt are the only lift-served skiing in Switzerland at present.

Two long reds are currently open down from Furggsattel to Trockner Steg.  These are not the highest ski runs in Europe that make up the resort’s usual summer ski area higher up the ‘Matterhorn Glacier Paradise’ ski slopes, but at the bottom of the area, 500 vertical metres below the main area. 

Elsewhere in the world as northern India is facing an intense heat wave, Rohtang Pass in India's northern state of Himachal Pradesh is proving popular with tourists escaping the heat of the plains.The 4,000m / 13,000-foot-high Pass was opened last week. It’s the highest point on one key road in the region and an important destination on the itinerary of tourists visiting the picturesque Kullu valley.

In the US it’s the last few days of Arapahoe Basin’s ski season. The last open resort in Colorado will end its season this Sunday, June 7th, but can report 9cm (three inches) of fresh snow in the past 72 hours topping up its 80cm (32 inch) base. It currently has two lifts running.

Snowbird in Utah, which is currently closed midweek and had previously said it expected to close on 15th June, an extended closing date, now appears to be planning to also close on June 7th.  “At this time our available terrain is recommended for advanced to expert skiers and riders only.” said a company spokesperson.

Mammoth in California and Snowbird in Utah expect to stay operational for at least a week longer than that.  Mammoth hasn’t had any fresh snow and skiing is on a 60-120cm (2-4 foot) base with 4 or 5 lifts operating.

A fourth choice in the US is Timberline, Oregon which normally stays open for most of the year, except for a fortnight closed period in September.  This currently has a 12 foot (360cm) base on the Palmer snowfield with lifts operating between 8am and 2.30pm.

Meanwhile in the southern hemisphere sunny skies, bubbles and smiles all round were the hallmarks of the opening of the ski season at Mt Hutt in New Zealand for opening day on Saturday, May 30th. More than 2000 Cantabrians and visitors to the region turned out to welcome the snow and celebrate skiing in May at Mt Hutt. The high country ski area opening was two weeks ahead of schedule as a result of early snow coverage.

Ski Area Manager Dave Wilson says it was the first time the mountain had opened in May for more than a decade. “We have a one metre snow base which is phenomenal for this time of year.  Getting the mountain open early has been a huge challenge for staff but we had a great day today making it well worth the effort.“Feedback and support from the local Methven community has been very much appreciated – everyone is delighted to be open early.  It’s a fantastic start.”

Mr Wilson said stormy weather bringing more snow was expected to hit the mountain Saturday and Sunday with weather clearing again for Monday. “Today’s weather was really one out of the bag.  The forecast wasn’t too flash so we were rapt to wake up to a bluebird day. Definitely life as it ought to be today.”