Where is there good snow right now?
It has been well-documented in the news that some European ski destinations are struggling with snowfall. Unusually high temperatures have left some of the lower ski resorts pretty bare and reliant upon man-made snow. However, not all resorts have been left without winter blizzards. If you are in search of a snowy destination for your early season ski break and want to know where is there good snow right now, here are some fabulous destinations where snow is in abundance….
FAMILY-OWNED BOUTIQUE HOTEL KRISTIANIA LECH INVITES EPICUREANS AND ART LOVERS FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE AUSTRIAN ESCAPE THIS SEASON
- Where is there good snow right now? With 146km of slopes currently open and 25cm of hard packed snow, the Arlberg region in Austria is the ultimate spot to find snow in the alps this season
- A 29-room elegant boutique hotel located in Austria’s chic Arlberg region, owned by Austria’s first alpine Olympic Gold medal winner, Othmar Schneider
- Considered some of the best ski and snowboard terrain in all of Europe, and with a reputation of perfect snow conditions all through the season, guests can look forward to exploring the infinite sweeping runs and off-piste trails throughout Lech, Oberlech and Zürs
We love Lech and have visited many times before for our travel pages. This year, entering the season with an unconventional alpine twist, Kristiania Lech (pictured above) invites skiers, artists and epicureans to experience a fresh take on the traditional ski break, where playful design and novel ideas meet authentic Austrian hospitality. Located in the much-loved Arlberg region, Kristiania Lech is a family-run elegant boutique hotel, owned by Austria’s first alpine Olympic Gold medallist, Othmar Schneider and managed by his daughter, Gertrud Schneider.
Boasting a traditional chocolate box façade with the sense of a private and cosy home, the interiors reveal an eclectic mix of antiques, contemporary artwork, rich fabrics and decorative lighting, lending the hotel a very different ambiance than many others in the alps. Considered some of the best ski and snowboard terrain in all of Europe, and with a reputation of perfect snow conditions all through the season, guests can look forward to exploring the infinite sweeping runs and off-piste trails throughout Lech, Oberlech and Zürs, with easy access connecting into St Anton and the rest of Arlberg, providing adventurous possibilities suited for all levels.
A hidden hangout for those in the in the know, with 29 individually designed rooms and suites, Kristiania Lech offers guests a smorgasbord of experiences with butlers to take care of every need; from starlit cinema screenings, heli-skiing fresh powder runs, meditative forest retreats, ice fishing, deer watching and snow shoeing, as well an in-house arts gallery filled with a rotating exhibition of local and up-and-coming creatives. With access to 87 ski lifts and cable cars, 300km of spectacular downhill skiing and 200km of deep powder runs, Kristiania Lech is one of the most spectacular and authentic winter destinations to find snow in the Alps this season.
Access: Flights available into Zurich or Innsbruck, with chauffeured road transfers available | How: Rates start from £550 per night on a half-board basis. For more information, please visit www.kristiania.at |Scott Dunn offers seven nights at Hotel Kristiania, Lech, Austria from £2,600 per person based on two people sharing on a B&B basis and includes return flights from the UK and private transfers. For more information please visit www.scottdunn.com or call 020 8682 5030
EXPLORE THE ENCHANTING ITALIAN DOLOMITES
- Where is there good snow right now? Here there are Snow depths of up to 70 centimetres
- 15 Ski resorts with 1200km of snow-powdered slopes
- 176km of runs open
- Enjoy ski-to-door access with a stay at iconic heritage hotel, Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa, or the design-centric boutique, Alpina Dolomites Lodge & Spa
This January, the world’s largest ski destination in the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomiti Superski ski carousel in Italy has an average snow depth of 70cm on the mountains and 40cm at the base. With all fifteen ski resorts open, visitors can witness breath-taking, picturesque scenery, jaw-dropping sunsets and distinctive local Northern Italian cuisine, all whilst staying in two of the most sought-after hotels in the region, the iconic heritage hotel, Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa, and the design-centric boutique, Alpina Dolomites Lodge & Spa. Both hotels provide ski-to-door access to the largest network of lifts and ski slopes on the planet combining fifteen ski resorts with 1200km of snow-powdered slopes, 176km of varied slopes, the most up-to-date lift facilities with a fleet of 450 cars, outstanding ski schools, ski kindergartens and the most famous ski carousel challenge, Sella Ronda. With all facilities accessible through one all-encompassing ski pass.
How: Rates at Alpina Dolomites start from €430 (currently approx. £364) per night on a B&B basis. www.alpinadolomites.it / @alpinadolomites | Rates at Gardena Grödnerhof start from €360 (currently approx. £303) per night on a B&B basis. www.gardena.it / @gardenagrodnerhof | Dolomiti Superski Passes can be purchased from Dolomiti Superski |Scott Dunn offers a seven night itinerary to The Dolomites from £2,780 per person based on two people sharing on a B&B basis and includes a stay at Gardena Grodnerhof and Alpina Dolomites, return flights from the UK and private transfers. For more information please visit www.scottdunn.com or call 020 8682 5030
LOCATED AT AN IMPRESSIVE ELEVATION OF 1,800M ABOVE SEA LEVEL, ST MORITZ IS THE PERFECT SPOT FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR SOME SNOW THIS WINTER – STAY AT SUVRETTA HOUSE
- Where is there good snow right now? 50cm of snow on the mountain
- 60km of slopes open
Where is there good snow right now? Well, with ski resorts in the Alps seeing a severe lack of snow this January, it’s time for skiers to start looking further up the mountain to source some powder. Located an impressive 1,800m above sea level, St Moritz marks one of the few remaining ski resorts seeing a high level of snow this winter. For somewhere to stay, Suvretta House is one of Switzerland’s most iconic heritage hotels, set in a pristine, snowy estate nestled amidst the famous rolling slopes of St Moritz.
The hotel has been a much-loved and longstanding favourite with discerning travellers from across the globe, owing to its spectacular vistas, effortless glamour, and impressive roster of social events. With its own private chair lift, guests can make their way from the hotel’s Alpine Sports Centre up to the slopes in no time. After a morning of sluicing through the fresh powder, stop for a refreshing and sunny lunch at Suvretta House’s mountainside restaurant, Trutz, for truly memorable panoramic views. After a long day of skiing, guests can unwind with a dip in the al fresco hot tubs or an aperitif in the opulently glamorous Anton’s bar.
How: Winter rates at Suvretta House start from CHF 630 (approx. £498) per night in a Double Room on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner) www.suvrettahouse.ch/en/
EXPERIENCE A SPECTACULAR SNOW AND SKI ADVENTURE AT ELEVEN DEPLAR FARM, ICELAND
- The question may not be where is there good snow right now, but where is there always good snow? This destination sees some of the highest average snowfall in the world
- Hlíðarfjall – Akureyri fully operational with all slopes open
For a totally off-the-grid skiing experience this winter, visit the spectacular Eleven Deplar Farm. Located on a converted sheep farm in the remote Fljót Valley on the mountainous Troll Peninsula in Northern Iceland, this spot sees some of the highest average snowfall on the planet. Throughout the winter season, guests have guaranteed access to piste skiing, snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, or snowshoeing. Iceland’s remarkably fresh air and pure water set the standard for a truly sublime wellness experience, and for soothing sore muscles and relieving ski fatigue.
Deplar Farm’s range of world-class facilities include an extensive wellness area with a steam room and sauna, treatment rooms overlooking the Fljot Valley. The Nordic inspired interiors are cosy and chic, a contrast to the raw landscape outside,and the property has 13 bedrooms and various lounge spaces.
How: Rates at Deplar Farm during the winter season (10 November 2022 – 28 February 2023) start at $3,385 USD (approx. £2,759) per person per night, based on double occupancy. Private buyout rates start from $49,200 (approx. £40,096) per night based on 26 guests. This includes customised adventure itineraries, all gear necessary for activities, pre-arrival planning with an Experience Manager, all in-house meals, house alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, daily housekeeping, and scheduled group airport transfers to/from Akureyri. www.elevenexperience.com
