Killian Forderounds up the latest snow news
Snow report
With subzero temperatures holding above 1,200m for the past two weeks, European resorts have been comforted by natural snowfalls - and have used the opportunity to get the snow cannon going. Except for the lowest villages, the Alps are painted a deep white. More than 80 per cent of Pyrenean destinations are open.
Temperatures in eastern Europe remain a little too high for full piste coverage.
For up-to-date snow conditions, check your destination on www.skiclub.co.uk. Free detailed six-day forecasts are at www.snow-forecast.com. You can access more than 4,000 webcams on www.snoweye.com.
Kitwatch
SatSki, the satnav system for snowheads, has expanded its range of resorts. Limited to just a few destinations last year, the downloadable software is now available in 33 areas on both sides of the Atlantic.
SatSki is an interactive piste map with GPS that will record your routes; shepherd you on the mountain; display altitude, speeds and distance travelled; and track your buddies. You can also view and upload your routes to Google Earth.
Hire in resort, download on to your smartphone or buy at www.satski.com.
Resort of the week: Obergurgl, Austria
Probably the highest authentic Alpine village, Obergurgl combines Tyrolean ambience, service and apres ski with guaranteed snow cover - a rarity in Austria.
The traffic-free village lies at the apex of a long road from Innsbruck. The only other route out of the valley is across jagged peaks a kilometre overhead.
Obergurgl, and its lift-linked satellite Hochgurgl, offer an impressive 1,200m peak-to-valley vertical, cementing its reputation as a great location for comfortable cruising.
Snowboarders are a rare breed here; the half-pipe and terrain park was removed a couple of seasons ago because of lack of use.
Resort height1,930m.
Range1,795-3,080m.
Lifts23.
Total runs110km.
Longest runEight kilometres.
Best runWormkogel. A long red/blue descending from the highest peak to the valley floor at Untergurgl. Mixed-ability beginner's groups and families will love this at the end of week one.
SnowparksNone.
Season lengthMid-December to mid-April.
Snow reliability*****
Who goesOlder, reserved couples who love routine, familiarity and the staff of the hotel remembering their names. German families on their annual hassle-free half-board holiday.
Value €€€ Previously guilty of placing a premium on its snowsure reputation, Obergurgl has seen some of its advantages eroded by advances in snowmaking. The prices of food, drink, lift passes and equipment rentals have levelled off and now reflect Austrian norms. The range of accommodation isn't great - chalet lovers or hostels hunters need look elsewhere.
Insider's tipsThe most spectacular of the Alpine mountain-peak restaurants perches over the valley. Book a table in the new glass-and-steel Top Mountain Restaurant at 3,082m. Upgrade your lift pass when purchasing to include usage in nearby Solden.
AirportsSalzburg and Friedrichshafen.
Tour operatorsTopflight and Crystal.
Special eventsThe noisy but exhilarating Dog Sled Championship occupies the valley on January 17th and 18th.
5 if your other half hates snow
• Innsbruck, Austria.
• Sarajevo, Bosnia.
• Bad Gastein, Austria.
• Sierra Nevada, Spain.
• Heavenly, Nevada, US.
What's on
Levi, in Finland's Lapland, brands itself as the "official ski resort of Santa Claus". Its annual Christmas festival runs through the holidays from December 23rd to 26th. Participate in a Santa search, learnt to skate with Mrs Elf, ride a reindeer sleigh, sledge with huskies or explore the Arctic with a snowmobile safari. Christmas dinner includes bear pie, nettle soup and - sshh! - reindeer steak.
See www.levi.fi.
Tips
Budget store TK Maxx has its complement of snow clothes in stock. Its jumbled rails are worth a delve.
Take a few days off during the second and third weeks of January. Midweek flights are cheap, and hotels and BBs can been talked into cracking deals, accommodating you for this low-season period.
And finally
Andorra, in the eastern Pyrenees, is pouring resources into improving its Torremolinos-in-the-mountains reputation. Better hotels, faster lifts and urban infrastructure are being rolled out. It still offers reasonable value, and the extent of skiable terrain in the Grandvalira domain is impressive. Topflight, Directski.com, Panorama and Crystal all serve this pint-sized country.