North America is currently winning the battle for best season start conditions with more than 50 ski areas expected to be open there this weekend which European resorts that had planned to open including Austria's Obertauern, Val Thorens in France and Davos in Switzerland have all delayed doing so due to warm weather.
Vail in Colorado as well as California's Heavenly and Northstar have all opened today claiming snowfall of up to 1.5m (five feet) so far this autumn. Snowmass by Aspen will open tomorrow (Saturday 19th) six days earlier than planned because of the good weather.
In Alberta and British Columbia it looks better still with up to 2m (nearly 7 feet) accumulations reported. Sun peaks will open tomorrow with top to bottom skiing challenging Lake Louise's claim that it currently has the biggest lift served skiable vertical on the continent.
On the East Coast resorts like Stowe and Whiteface have begun snowmaking ahead of expected openings soon.
But it's not all bad news in Europe. More than a dozen ski areas in Norway, Finland and Sweden will open this weekend (Ruka already has) – weeks later than hoped in some case but it is now happening with more cold weather forecast.