(happier times...)
A number of ski areas have announced a delay to the start of the ski season from the planned dates due to the 'current conditions' – which are, at lower elevations in particular, little or no natural snowfall and temperatures too warm for snowmaking.
The largest area to make the announcement so far is the Skiwelt, the country's largest lift-linked area with 280km of piste connecting resorts including Westendorf, Brixen, Ellmau and Soll. It had hoped to open this Saturday the 6th, but now says it will open on Thursday the 121th – or sooner if conditions improve in the meantime.
Many other smaller areas such as Grossarl in Salzburgerland, has simply postponed its opening date with no new date given.
Austria is home to eight glacier ski areas with lifts. Most of which have been open for the season for two months already, and they remain is largely good shape thanks to the heavy November snows at altitude, several have also had a few inches more snow in the last 24 hours which sadly fell as rain at lower altitudes.
The year-round ski area on the Hintertux glacier has a 185cm base at the top with 40km of runs and more than 1,000 metres of vertical open.
Some non-glacier resorts with high altitude skiing are also open including Ischgl (0-40cm) and Obergurgl (5-80cm).
The good news is that the weather is expected to get colder by the end of this week allowing for hoped for natural snowfall as well as snowmaking. The Skiwelt and other northern Austrian areas had a poor snowfall winter last season and are hoping for better times this.