Issued: 25 March 2020 By Patrick "Snowhunter" Thorne They're still skiing in Sweden. Most resorts are still open at present, all taking strong measures to prevent virus spread. Here's Idre FjälL. North American RoundupEuropean RoundupAsia Roundup INTRODUCTION NORTH AMERICA Ski Apache, believed to be the last ski field operating this winter in New Mexico, will close today after what they say has been a "phenomenal season". The number of ski areas still open in North America can now be counted on one hand as shutdowns continue in the fight to limit the spread of coronavirus. That hasn’t stopped people skiing and boarding in many areas with a number of areas welcoming ski-tourers still, although others are stressing this isn't permitted and/or

A new model of gondola which will has windows removed from the cabin is to go into service in ski resorts. Swiss company Bartholet has designed the Cabriolet Gondola so that its windows are open all the time with a fixed opening. It will not be a case of the windows coming down when the weather is good. “The glass cannot be closed when the weather is bad but if a ski area also has regular glass-enclosed  gondolas on the line, the gondolas can be easily exchanged depending on the weather and the garage system,” said Bartholet’s Denise Linder. Bartholet say the first cabins have even already been sold to several ski resorts, although we don’t yet know which resorts.

Issued: 01 April 2020 By Patrick "Snowhunter" Thorne North American Roundup European Roundup Asia Roundup INTRODUCTION NORTH AMERICA It's a week now since the last ski area in the US, that was running its lifts, stopped doing so (10 days since the last in Canada). Since then North American ski areas continue their lockdown this week with more resorts, that had initially said they hoped to re-open later in the season if the situation eased and it was deemed safe to do so, now deciding they are definitely closed until next winter.  As we reach the first week of April, a large number of ski areas would be starting o close for the season anyway, even in a ‘normal’ year.

Norway's Fonna Glacier reports that the snow is lying 11 metres (36 feet) deep on its glacier. The centre is one of three summer-ski areas in the country and had planned to open for the season at Easter. All ski areas in Norway are currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic so that date looks unlikely.  However the huge snow depth means the centre could open later in the spring or early summer if restrictions can be lifted. The ski season in Scandinavia has been very mixed, even without the impact of the virus.  Record average high temperatures in central and southerly parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden had caused operating difficulties due to lack of snow for many areas.

A small US ski resort has successfully crowdfunded $6,000 in the past week or so to keep its slopes groomed even though the lifts aren’t running. Snow King Mountain is one of a large number of ski resorts in states not yet in complete lock down where people can hike up the hill and ski down. “It’s a little different picture for us because we’re shut down, and there’s no income for us, but I think it’s a positive thing people are getting out and enjoying the hill, and that’s why we’re doing this campaign,” Snow King General Manager Ryan Stanley told the Jackson Hole News & Guide. More than 150 people contributed to the fundraising since the centre closed