Europe Weekly Snow Roundup #312

• Ischgl reports 210km of terrain — possibly the most open anywhere in the world right now 
• Cairngorm defies 20°C valley temperatures to keep Scotland skiing into May
• Scandinavia's summer ski season about to begin as winter resorts close
• Only Zermatt's Matterhorn Glacier Paradise continues in Switzerland from Monday

Europe Intro

Europe is down to around 50 ski areas still open as we complete the last week of April — most in the glacial or high-Alpine terrain, or northerly resorts in Scandinavia and Iceland, with a few hanging on in less expected areas such as the Scottish Highlands and Spain's Mediterranean coast.

It has been a typical late April week: temperatures climbing to the high teens in the alpine valleys, the freezing point generally above 2,000m and plenty of sunshine — near summer-ski conditions. Most areas still open are expected to end their 2025/26 seasons at the end of the weekend, leaving only a dozen or so still going next week. Jasna in Slovakia made a surprise return at the weekend and will reopen again this Friday to Sunday, 1–3 May.

Austria Snow Report

Austria is the only Alpine nation where the number of open centres remains in double figures — just 10. Most will close after this coming weekend, but four areas plan to stay open later into May, more than any other European nation. Summit temperatures have been typically between –10°C and +5°C, with freezing levels well above 2,000–2,400m, overnight refreezing and rapid daytime softening under mostly sunny skies. 

Hintertux (0/305cm / 0/122"), one of the four staying open beyond the weekend, posts the country's deepest cover. Ischgl (0/100cm / 0/40") still reports nearly 90% of its slopes open — some 210km (132 miles) of terrain — probably the most open anywhere in the world right now.

Austria Snow Forecast
Mostly dry, bright and increasingly warm, with freezing levels well above 2,500m and only brief overnight refreezes. Early May brings an early-summer feel, with valley temperatures reaching the low to mid-20s°C by 2–4 May. No meaningful snowfall is indicated; any isolated showers fall as rain below 2,600–2,800m.

France Snow Report

It is essentially the last weekend of the season in the French Alps. Tignes (33/150cm / 13/60"), Val d'Isère (33/150cm / 13/60"), Val Thorens (130/195cm / 52/78") and Grands Montets (0/250cm / 0/100") are all ending their seasons, with only Les 2 Alpes continuing later into May on its glacier slopes. Conditions are fully spring-like — mountain temperatures from –6°C to +6°C, freezing levels well above 2,000m, overnight refreezes and rapid daytime softening, with predominantly dry, bright spells.

France Snow Forecast
Mostly stable and sunny early in the period above 2,000m. As early May approaches, a small chance of isolated showers — mainly rain below 2,600–2,800m, though snow is possible on glaciers and the highest ground. Valley temperatures climb into the low to mid-20s°C.

Italy Snow Report

Seven Italian ski areas remain open, but five close after the first weekend of May. Cortina d'Ampezzo (45/95cm / 18/38"), Sulden (40/100cm / 16/40"), Livigno (0/75cm / 0/30"), Passo Tonale (100/200cm / 40/80") and Pila (10/50cm / 4/20") are all finishing up. That leaves the Val Senales glacier (20/140cm / 8/56") for one more week, and the cross-border Cervinia–Zermatt area (0/65cm / 0/26") — which has by far the most terrain still open, over 160km (100 miles) — continuing after Monday. Conditions have been typical spring: overnight freezes above 2,000–2,300m, daytime highs of +4°C to +8°C on upper terrain, and predominantly bright, mild weather.

Italy Snow Forecast
Mostly dry, bright and increasingly warm above 2,000m, with freezing levels well above 2,500m. Only a small chance of isolated showers as early May approaches, mainly as rain below 2,600–2,800m. Valleys warm into the low to mid-20s°C.

Switzerland Snow Report

Only six ski areas are open in Switzerland, with all but one expected to close after the coming weekend — unusually low, given that Glacier 3000 near Gstaad (posting depths of around 2.5–3m / 8–10 feet) and the Titlis Glacier above Engelberg often remain open to mid-May. Barring last-minute changes, it will be just Zermatt's (0/65cm / 0/26") Matterhorn Glacier Paradise — home to Europe's highest ski lifts — from Monday. Summit temperatures have been fluctuating between –10°C and +3°C, with lower valleys climbing into the mid-teens and freezing levels well above 2,000m.

Switzerland Snow Forecast
Largely settled with plenty of sunshine and freezing levels well above 2,500m. Light winds, bright spells and scarce showers — mainly rain below 2,600–2,800m. Valleys rise into the low to mid-20s°C.

Pyrenees Snow Report

Barring any last-minute extensions, it is the final weekend for the two still-open ski areas in Spain. Mountain highs have ranged from +7°C to +15°C, with base temperatures often at +16°C to +21°C. Masella and La Molina (40/180cm / 16/72") are down to about 10% of slopes open; Sierra Nevada (0/300cm / 0/120") still reports half its slopes skiable, with marginally fresher upper temperatures of 2–6°C. Sunshine has dominated nationwide with only passing clouds.

Pyrenees Forecast
Mild, unsettled and increasingly spring-like from 30 April to 4 May, with freezing levels mostly above 2,600–3,000m. Bright spells mixed with passing rain showers, almost always falling as rain at all skiable elevations. Valleys warm steadily into the mid-teens to low-20s°C.

Scandinavia Snow Report

Scandinavia offers the closest conditions to winter, though most centres will also be closing after this weekend. Around 20 resorts remain open, most with 50–90% of slopes still operating — Hemsedal (55/80cm / 22/32") reports almost 100% operation. The first of Norway's summer ski areas are expected to open imminently. Summit temperatures have ranged from –10°C to +8°C, with lower elevations warming quickly into the teens and conditions swinging between overnight firmness and soft, pliable snow by midday.

Scandinavia Snow Forecast
Southern Norway and Sweden can expect frequent showers, mostly as rain below 700–1,000m. Farther north — central and northern Norway, northern Sweden and Finnish Lapland — colder air holds on, keeping snowfall possible at mid- and upper-mountain elevations, especially overnight and in the early morning. The far north also sees brighter intervals as 24-hour daylight approaches.

Scotland Snow Report

Remarkably, Scotland's ski season continues at Cairngorm, with about a mile of slopes still open in the Ptarmigan Bowl — keeping skiing alive into May despite valley temperatures hitting around 20°C. The White Lady run is now closed due to too many bare patches, though the freestyle park held an event last weekend. Glencoe's lift-served skiing is officially over, but its Access chairlift is running for tourers to reach high-altitude snow patches, and its snowmaking-maintained sledging run is also still open.

Scotland Snow Forecast
Mild but more unsettled, with Cairngorm seeing a mix of brighter spells and passing rain showers as freezing levels lift well above the summit. Daytime values rise quickly, softening remaining snow in the Ptarmigan Bowl. Winds stay mostly light to moderate, though exposed ridges catch stronger gusts.