Ski resorts in the Alps are getting increasingly concerned about British media reports that it's the worst start to winter for 40 years, complete with pictures of summer in Les Arcs (Daily Mail)
Italy's Dolomiti Superski has launched a PR offensive wanting to get the news out that a quarter of its vast 1,200km of pistes are open, and that it expects "Almost all" to be open in a week's time for the Christmas holidays.
"We are able to guarantee 150 lifts are open with 300km of prepared slopes to enjoy thanks to the efficient snow making systems available," said resort spokesman Diego Clara, "Last week the temperatures dropped below 0 degrees which allowed the 4,700 snow machines of Dolomiti Superski to work at their best efficiency."
Mr Clara said a 'considerable number' of lifts and slopes were therefore open for the regions first weekend in December when 56,000 skiers and boarders took to the piste. There is natural snow cover above 1600m.
Snowfall is forecast in the coming days in higher regions and from Wednesday temperatures are supposed to drop again, what will allow the region to run the snow making systems again.
The Sellaronda will be ready to open next weekend (19-21 December) just in time for the big Ski World Cup events in Val Gardena (19th and 20th December with a SuperG and a Downhill race) and in Alta Badia (21st December with the GS on the Gran Risa slope) which have now been confirmed by FIS officials.
Mr Clara said that almost all lifts and runs should be open for Christmas and new year and that almost all accommodation in the region is now booked up over that period.