SAM Magazine--July 1, 2009--www.Skiinfo.com reports that summer ski and southern hemisphere resort openings

takes the world tally past 60 choices in a dozen countries

www.skiinfo.com reports that all three of the glacier ski areas that are still opening each year for summer skiing in France are now open, following Val d'Isere's summer snow opening on Saturday. It joins Tignes and Les 2 Alpes for a 6-10 week summer season. All three resorts are reporting snow depths around about 180cm (six feet) on their glaciers.

Austria still has four glacier ski areas open, the largest at Tux, which has more than 23km (15 miles) of runs to enjoy. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier at Kaprun, the Dachstein glacier near Schladming and the Molltal glacier are the three other choices

Italy now equals Austria with four summer-ski choices available, the most for any one country. Newly opened last weekend is Cervinia, which gives access to Europe's highest ski lifts above Zermatt over the border (currently still the only summer skiing in Switzerland, although due to be joined by Saas Fee this Saturday, July 4). There are also summer ski runs on the Italian side of the border, and Cervinia is reporting snow depths of 180cm (six feet) at opening. A Cervinia lift company spokesman commented,

The other Italian summer ski choices are Passo Stelvio and Val Senales.

In Zermatt, the Matterhorn glacier paradise is currently hosting the Stoked Ski and Snowboard school, which offers summer "freestyle" camps.

Norway 's three glacier ski areas are all open and Folgefonn is currently reporting the deepest snow base anywhere with a 5m (17-foot) accumulation. The Stryn glacier has a 180cm (six-foot) base and Galdhøpiggen 150cm (five feet).

In North America the two open ski areas are the Horstman

Glacier on Blackcomb mountain at Whistler, Canada, which has about a meter (over three feet) of snow and Timberline in Oregon, where they are skiing and riding on five feet.

In South America, Portillo in Chile reported 28cm (a foot) of new snow on Monday and that access roads to the resort were blocked by snow. Snowfall to date this season has already reached 180cm (six feet) with a base in excess of a meter (over three feet) at the hotel.

La Parva reported 35cm (14 inches) of new snow in 24 hours on Monday, part of a 95cm (three-foot) fall in seven days. It has about a quarter of its lifts and runs open and describes conditions as 'powder'.

Valle Nevado has also reported big snowfalls, with 35cm (14 inches) of new snow on Monday taking totals this season to 138cm (4.5 feet) with a 40cm (16-inch) base.

Over the border in Argentina, Las Lenas has reported big falls but remains closed. Catedral at Bariloche, the continent's largest ski area, has a 45cm (18-inch) base on upper runs.

In Africa, Tiffindell remains open with a 60cm snow depth on a 175m long run.

In Australia, most ski areas have seen temperatures hovering around zero for several days now and a few cm/inches of fresh snow falling. Typical is Mt. Buller with an average 45cm (18-inch) base.

At Mt. Hotham,snow is predicted to fall Wednesday and Thursday above 1,300m. With any luck this will also continue into Friday with scattered snow showers predicted.

Two New Zealand ski areas opened this past weekend. Cardrona Alpine Resort opened its gates to thousands of skiers and snowboarders on Friday (June 26), with over a meter of snow on groomed trails.

Meanwhile another kiwi resort, Whakapapa, opened for the season on Saturday (June 27). Terrain Park Crew have managed to get a few small features installed, too.

The grooming team has spread out two meters of snow at Happy Valley. Snowmaking actually had to stop because they ran out of water. The resort has turned 72 million liters of water into snow so far.

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