The Swiss ski area of Andermatt say they'll open for the season this weekend, but they'll mostly be relying on snow stored over the summer and spread back out on the slopes, the technique known as snow-farming, as well as fresh snowmaking, rather than on natural snowfall.
The centre, famous for its abundant natural snowfall most seasons, often having the deepest snow in Switzerland by the spring, had to delay opening its freeride slopes on the Gemstock which is had hoped would be operational from late October, due to the largely dry autumn in the Alps to date.
The same conditions have led Val Thorens to announce a one-week delay in its planned opening this weekend, further delaying the start of the French season. However, Austria's Obergurgl and Obertauern appear still on course to start their seasons later this week.
Andermatt say their Gurschen-flyer lift and associated slopes will operate for opening weekend and day tickets will be discounted by 30 percent.
About 20 glacier areas are now open in the Alps, most in Austria or Switzerland.
