There’s been snowfall across France in the past week, generating more than 40 powder alarms on Skiinfo from resorts reporting at least 20cm (8 inches) of new snow in a 24 hour period.

There was snow in all of the country’s main ski regions including the Northern and Southern Alps, with the Pyrenees receiving the largest falls. Here Cauterets received 80cm (nearly three feet) of new snow on January 15, then got more good falls two days later on the 17th.  In the northern Alps with Avoriaz reported 25cm (10 inches) of new snow while la Grave in the Southern Alps reported 30cm (a foot).

Chamonix continues to have the deepest snow in France and the whole of Europe with four metres (13.3 feet) on upper slopes. Flaine has 275cm (9 feet), La Clusaz 260cm (8.7 feet).

Italy has had a quieter week with little new snowfall although Obereggen  reports 45cm (18 inches) in the past seven days and Courmayeur  15cm (six inches.  More snow is expected in the north of the country tomorrow.  The deepest snow of any ski area in the world is on the Presena Glacier above Passo Tonale still which has 4.3m (14.3 feet).  The Marmolada glacier has 3.8m (nearly 13 feet).

In Austria the resort of Loser Sandling Altausee has had some of the biggest snowfalls in Austria in the past week. Egon Hierzegger, director of Loser Mountain Railways commented, “During the past two days 40cm of new snow fell above 1500m. After the snowfalls ceased on Monday night the powder snow conditions - which I enjoyed myself when the lifts opened this morning - were excellent.”

In Switzerland 11 resorts have a snow depth of two metres or more, including Saas Fee and St. Moritz. The past week brought at least 20cm (eight inches) of new snow to many resorts including Meiringen, Leukerbad and Lötschental. The latter has the greatest snow depth in the country (223 cm/7.4 feet) but Andermatt-Gotthard has almost the same amount of snow on upper slopes.

On Sunday and Monday Germany had a couple of powder alarms especially in the Bavarian Forest where Hohenbogen got 42cm (17 inches) of new snow in a week. “On the Arber, the highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest, we have about a metre of snow now,” said Ulrike Eberl-Walter of Ostbayern Tourism. “All lifts are in operation and the cross-country trails are prepared.”

More snow in the Spanish Pyrenees has made conditions great on the groomed pistes but very dangerous off piste with an increased the chance of avalanches. In Formigal five season ski passes have been confiscated after five skiers caused an avalanche. Formigal's spokeman has criticized people who take unnecessary risks, get into trouble and put in danger the lives of skiers and the members of the rescue services.

In Sweden there has been 3-5cm (1-2 inches) in a couple of resorts, but otherwise just flurries in sight for the weekend. Student Ski Week has started in Åre and will continue for three weeks with lots of competitions and apres-ski events.

In North America conditions are reported to be good on both East and West coasts with most resorts on both sides off the continent seeing at least some fresh snow in the past week.  On the East Coast snow depths are typically 60-120cm (2-4 feet), which is considered a healthy base in the area.  They’re not much different at Colorado’s resorts, where the stats are less impressive due to the usual abundance of snow in the leading US ski state.

In both Canada and the US the heaviest snow of the past week and the deepest bases are on the far West Coast.  In the US, Squaw Valley in California has seen the second wave in an ongoing series of winter storms has leave over two feet (60cm) more snow in the past 48 hours. Recurring storm waves are forecast to continue for the next few days, delivering several feet of additional snow and setting up the resort with exceptional conditions into the core of the season ahead.  The resort has received 17 feet (over five metres) of snow so far this season and is 100% open.

In Canada the latest storm to hit Whistler Blackcomb has dumped 70 centimetres (28 inches) in 24 hours at the weekend, immersing the resort in deep winter conditions. Although the heavy snow and high winds prevented a number of lifts from opening until conditions improved.