A snowboarder reported missing at a ski resort in California on Thursday was stranded on a gondola overnight in the cold.
10.01.2024 - 00:10 / euronews.com / Val Thorens / El Niño / Angela Symons
Northern Europe was plunged into a deep freeze last week, with temperatures plummeting to almost -43C in parts of Sweden.
The Arctic blast has descended south this week, bringing joy to skiers in the French Alps after a mild December.
More than a metre of powder has landed in resorts like Chamonix, Les Gets and Morzine.
Italy’s slopes have also cashed in with up to 50cm of snow, while Austria and Switzerland have seen 30cm, according to ski weather reporter On the Snow.
This brings hope that the bumper snowfall that allowed resorts to open early in November is back.
The shift is in line with predictions based on previous El Niño years, where Europe’s winters tend to start out mild and wet before becoming colder and drier between January and March. It could bring one of the best ski seasons in years with heavier and extended snowfall.
It’s a welcome change for Europe’s ski resorts, which have struggled with a lack of snow in recent years sparked by global warming.
Looking to hit the slopes? Here’s the snow outlook for ski destinations across Europe this January.
At least 50 resorts in Austria are expecting snowfall this week. Snowpack levels are currently more than 150 per cent above normal, according to On the Snow.
Head to Austria’s high-altitude resorts for the country’s best ski conditions. St Anton am Arlberg in the Tyrolean Alps and Stuben am Arlberg in Vorarlberg currently have snowpacks of over three metres in parts.
Skiing in the Pyrénées bounced back over the weekend after the area was hampered by dry and mild weather in December.
In the French Alps, a metre of snow has fallen in some of the region's top resorts. Courchevel has seen 140 cm of snow in the last 72 hours, while Val Thorens has seen 117 cm.
Low pressure descending from the North Atlantic brought Italy its first taste of ‘real winter’ on Friday. Snow descended at low altitude in the Italian Alps and plummeting temperatures are expected to continue until 14 January.
Make a beeline for La Thuile in the Aosta Valley, Livigno in the Alps or Val Gardena in the Dolomites to cash in on over half a metre of snow above 1,000 metres this week.
The Apennines will also be covered in snow over 1,500 metres above sea level, according to Meteo.it.
Switzerland’s Verbier ski resort opened three weeks early after major snowfall in November.
After this week’s snowfall, some resorts have snow depths of two metres and over, including Davos Klosters in Graubünden, Melchsee-Frutt in Obwalden and Engadin in St Moritz. In Saas-Fee near the Italian border, snowpack has climbed to over three metres.
A snowboarder reported missing at a ski resort in California on Thursday was stranded on a gondola overnight in the cold.
Eurostar will continue to run its direct service from London to Amsterdam this summer.
An explosion of colorful, engaging painting shows provide a welcome antidote to the short days and general lack of sunshine that can make winter in London a tad dreary. Here are six essential art exhibitions to visit over the next month.
In the tucked away Black Forest town of Donaueschingen, the mighty River Danube begins. It rises as a clear, three metre-deep wellspring in the town centre, encircled by a stone basin sculpted with zodiac symbols. From there, the Danube – Donau in German – flows full tilt onwards for 1,771 miles to its mouth on the Black Sea, passing through the great cities of Vienna, Budapest and Belgrade.
In December, China brought in visa-free entry for citizens of five European countries and Malaysia.
Air travel cancellations and delays continued to soar in the U.S. on Tuesday as a severe winter storm arrived in the Northeast.
It’s a new year, but when it comes to world-class food and drink, it’s still the same ol’ London. Meaning there's no Shoreditch—err...shortage of options across this perennially dynamic cityscape. With literally thousands of restaurants and bars worth exploring, there’s obviously no way we can include everything on one measly list. So the task here is to highlight some places that are doing something especially awesome this winter season. Whether you’re in town for a short stay, or a longtime local, check out what’s on below and you’re certain to be satisfied.
Although skiers, snowboarders and other outdoor enthusiasts enjoy all that the winter has to offer, there are scores of people who prefer sipping a Pina Colada while relaxing on a sun-drenched beach. These “snowbirds” flee the cold weather as soon as the first snowflake falls from the sky.
Last week Lufthansa made history. Weeks ahead of its major European rivals, the airline resumed scheduled services to Israel. As of last Monday, the German carrier is offering four weekly flights between Frankfurt and Tel Aviv and three from Munich. The routes mark the first time the company has operated to the country since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in early October.
The upcoming spring break travel period may set new records for hotel occupancy — and prices. So if you’re looking for a place to stay in March and April, what should you do? I asked Tim Hentschel, CEO of HotelPlanner, how to get ahead of the trend and find an affordable hotel.
Change is in the air at Finnair. The Helsinki-based flag carrier has confirmed that Turkka Kuusisto will be the airline’s new chief executive. The appointment follows the resignation of incumbent Topi Manner in August last year.
Is the winter cold getting you down? Why not head to Jasper, Canada’s cabin capital! Few experiences warm up the blood like snuggling by a blazing fireplace in a log cabin with snow falling just outside. Jasper, Alberta has nearly 500 cabins sprinkled throughout the area, from cozy riverside retreats to luxurious log refuges. Embrace the heritage charm and modern comforts of these year-round havens for a quintessential cabin experience. Here are four of our favorites.