First European Ski Resorts Outside the Alps Set to Open
2nd October 2024
Ruka and Levi in Finland open some slopes this week using stored snow. Another glacier resort in Austria opens on Thursday. NEW
Ruka first began using snow preserved from the previous winter in 2016.
The resort created several large piles of snow at the end of the season that were then covered with a tarpaulin and sawdust to protect the snow over the summer.
Piste bashers are then used to spread the snow over the slopes and trails in the autumn.
Ruka is now able to offer around 200 days of skiing per season.
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Levi did the same so there could be enough snow to host the Levi World Cup races – the first slalom races of the season.
This year it takes place on 16th – 17th November with both men and women competing.
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In Norway the Galdhøpiggen glacier is open, but it only operates for a few weeks in the summer.
In the Alps Kaunertal in Austria opens on Thursday 3rd October.
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It joins a number of resorts in the Alps that are currently open:
- Hintertux, Austria
- Pitztal, Austria
- Stubai, Austria
- Soelden, Austria
- Val Senales, Italy,
- Passo Stelvio, Italy
- Saas-Fee, Switzerland
- Zermatt, Switzerland
In Val Senales skiing is only for race team training and not the general public.
We have been reporting on ski areas opening in the past few weeks following the huge snow falls on September:
- Another ski area in Austria opens for autumn skiing
- Autumn ski season gets underway in the Alps
- Huge amounts of autumn snow falling in the Alps
- Austrian Alps hammered by huge autumn snowfall
- Heavy September snow hits the eastern Alps
- First ski resorts in the Alps open
Do check back for updates…
