SAM Magazine-Oslo, Norway, May 6, 2009-The Southern hemisphere ski season is beginning five weeks early, even as snowfalls across Europe put a fresh face on the season there and provide a boost to Norway's summer season, according to skiinfo.com. The season in Europe was so strong this past winter, they're still skiing in Spain, at Europe's most southerly resort.

Skiinfo.com reports that heavy snow in both Australia and New Zealand led to the start of the southern hemisphere's ski season last weekend, five weeks ahead of schedule. In Europe, most major resorts shut down after last weekend, but Chamonix and Tignes remain open through May 10. Then there's a month's wait until the country's three summer ski options-Tignes, Val d'Isere and Les 2 Alpes-open.

Half a dozen Austrian glacier ski areas remain open through June, including Kaunertal, Kitzsteinhorn and Tux. The Stubai glacier, which currently has a 12-foot base, opened its season last September, more than eight months ago.

In Switzerland, Saas Fee has moved ahead of Zermatt for the deepest base in the country, with nearly 15 feet compared to Zermatt's 13-plus feet. Saas Fee is in the middle of an annual 10-day shutdown before re-opening next week on the 13th to continue its near year-round lift operations. Engelberg and the Diavolezza glacier near St. Moritz are both also open for snow sports.

In Italy, the Presena glacier is set to stay open through June, with perhaps Europe's deepest base: 20 feet.

In Spain, Boí Taüll and Masella are both open to May 10. Further to the south on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, Sierra Nevada, Europe's most southerly ski resort, has a 10-foot base and will remain open until May 15.

In northern Europe, the ski season is still in full swing at resorts like Sweden's Riksgransen, which will run the lifts till midnight when 24-hour daylight returns. On May 9, the third of Norway's three summer ski destinations, Galdhøpiggen, will open, joining Stryn and Folgefonn (which has a 13-foot base).

In the southern hemisphere, Australia's Mt. Buller opened to the public last weekend after an unprecedented 14-inch snowfall. "It's the best snow we've had this early since we opened in 1964, so it's pretty huge for us," Mt. Buller spokeswoman Gillian Dobson told local media. The snow arrived soon afterward in New Zealand, where enthusiasts hiked to the top of Canterbury's Mt. Hutt to get the season's first tracks. The ski area is officially scheduled to open on June 13. \

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