Colder weather in the Alps has meant snow at lower elevations which had previously reported rain.  Even Mexico report temperatures dropping to -2C, it’s a shame they only have an artificial surface ski slope.

Skiinfo has released more than 100 Powder Alarms in the past few days to subscribers for resorts reporting at least 20cm (8 inches) off new snow in 24 hours.

The heavy snow has continued to mean the avalanche risk is high off the marked piste and there have sadly been more widely-reported avalanche deaths in the past week in several countries.

In Austria, Kitzbühel issued a powder alarm on Saturday. Christoph Hirnschall of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel told me: “The 20 cm of new snow on Saturday helped the winter’s atmosphere very much as they added a layer of natural snow to the already well-prepared slopes.”

Kitzbühel had up to 45 cm of artificial snow on their mountain slopes before. Now the snow depths reach 65 cm on upper and 30 cm on lower slopes with 51 lifts in operation.

The last two days Skiinfo has issued another dozen powder alarms in Switzerland with the biggest snowfalls in Diemtigtal - Wiriehorn (50cm in 48 hours) and Gstaad - Château-d'Oex (40cm on Tuesday).

Top snow depths in Switzerland are at Lötschental 235cm (7.5 feet), Andermatt-Gotthard 220cm (7.3 feet) and Les Marécottes - Salvan 220cm (7.3 feet) with Leukerbad and Celerina both saying 200cm (6.3 feet).  The most snowfalls in the last 7 days has been at Vercorin, which has reported the biggest falls in Europe in fact, with 180cm (six feet) and Evolène 170cm (5.7 feet). 

Italy continues to report the deepest snow depths in the world with the Marmolada glacier at Arabba and the Presena Glacier above Passo Tonale and Pragelato on 3.8m (12.7 feet) andd 4.1m (13.7 feet) respectively.  Aranbba has reported another 50cm (20 inches) of new snow in the poast week as has fellow Dolomites ski area, Cortina.  However Courmayeur in the West has reported the largest snowfall in the country for the past week with 60cm (two feet) off new cover.

In Scandinavia more heavy snow over New Year casued two avalanches to set off in the East and West Ravines at the region’s most popular resort, Åre in Sweden, on Saturday.  These are the two most popular off piste runs in Åre. Three people were caught but luckily there were no serious injuries ? just a dislocated shoulder. The avalanche warning during the day was set to 3 on the 5 grade scale.

In North America the storm on the East Coast has continued to dump large quantities of snow creating great conditions in the region famous for its snowmaking.  Up to 50cm (20 inches) more snow has fallen with the biggest resort - Killington in Vermont - noting it’s base has passed a metre (3.3 feet) on upper runs and has great off-piste skiing.

Conditions are also continuing to improve in most western US resorts. Snow Blast. A series of Rocky Mountain storms slammed into the Tetons this weekend dropping 30 inches (75cm) of new snow since Friday at Jackdon Hole in Wyoming, allowing for even more acreage to open across the mountain.

Skiers and riders took full advantage of the largest continuous vertical drop in the country via newly opened terrain including Cheyenne Bowl, Bernie’s Bowl and Riverton Bowl.

It’s been a similar picture to the north where resorts in Alberta and British Columbia have some of the best snowbases in the world following nearly two months of mostly great conditions.  Most are reporting 1.5-2.4m (5-9 feet) bases and several inches of fresh snow in recent days.   Conditions are also continuing to improve on the East Coast with resorts in Quebec also reporting fresh snow.