Old Man Winter has arrived early and in force, dumping meters of snow across the Alps and the Apennines over the past few hours. A major Atlantic storm system has literally transformed the face of Italy’s mountains, bringing snow not only to the Alps but also to the Apennines, with accumulations exceeding one meter at several mid- to high-altitude ski resorts.
Ski resorts that had just fired up their artificial snowmaking systems over the past few weeks ahead of the upcoming winter season were quick to capitalize on the storm. Such a significant snowfall allowed resorts to revise their lift opening schedules, and wherever accumulations were heavy, crews immediately began grooming the slopes.
Glaciers not yet open for the season (such as the Presena Glacier) immediately announced their lift openings, followed swiftly by other resorts such as Artesina Ski and Limone Piemonte on the strength of the meter of fresh snow that fell in recent hours:
see Presena Glacier lift openingsee Artesina early lift opening
Opening in the Dolomites
Snow has also arrived in the northeast, where the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites have traded their multicolored autumn foliage for their classic white winter coat!
Around 50 centimeters of snow fell along the border area between Alta Pusteria (Alto Adige) and Cadore (Veneto), home to the slopes of the Passo Monte Croce ski area. Located at an altitude of 1,600 meters, this small ski resort holds its own against high-altitude ski areas by opening its lifts right from the very first weeks of the winter season.
Passo Monte Croce: slopes open from Saturday, November 11
Once again at the start of this 2017/18 season, Monte Croce takes the crown for the first lift opening in the Dolomites.
Thanks to the heavy snowfalls of recent days, the border ski resort will kick off its season ahead of schedule, with its opening confirmed for Saturday, November 11.
The small ski area thus reaffirms its dynamism and, despite its modest size, enables Dolomiti Superski to get the season underway even before mid-November.
For more information and updates, please visit the official website
photo credit: facebook.com/3Zinnen/
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