Would you like to try skiing this half term?This is the snowiest place in Europe

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February half-term is usually a guaranteed fun time for ski enthusiasts. finding snow in europe – But this year may be quite difficult.

Families going on a ski trip during the school holidays may find it difficult to find good conditions, instead discovering fresh snowfall at many resorts on the continent.

January was the hottest month on record, with the global average 12-month temperature exceeding the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold for the first time.in southern spainSome people experienced temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, which is unprecedented for this time of year.

As of the end of last month, it is estimated that around 28% of ski resorts in Europe, including Spain, France and Switzerland, were closed.

That number has now dropped to nearly 24%, according to Skiresort.info, but if you’re planning a trip, you should still be aware of most closures.

Which countries have been the hardest hit and which are still worth visiting?

The snow cap of the Alps, which spans Monaco, France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria and Slovenia, has declined by 5.6 percent each year over the past half century.

This is based on research by the University of Padova and the Institute of Atmospheric Science and Climate in Bologna, Italy.

However, all is not lost for those keen on what’s next. hit the slope – Here are the conditions for many of Europe’s most popular resorts:

France

In France, many ski resorts, especially in the Pyrenees, have experienced unusually warm weather this year and a lack of snow.

Given these conditions, forecasters say it is highly unlikely that some resorts will be replenished with snow before the start of the half-term holidays.

However, despite the countless resorts, France High temperatures are being seen at all altitudes and snow is melting in many areas, but it’s not all bad news.

Heavy snowfall at the start of the season left parts of the country with a solid layer of snow, with up to 4.2 meters of snow in the Les Arcs region.

Vast Three Valleys also announced that 95 percent of its courses will remain open for the time being.

Switzerland

Switzerland The resort, known for its luxurious, top-quality destinations, has seen an equal number of resorts forced to close.

In January, a temperature of 8 degrees Celsius was recorded at an altitude of about 1,800 meters in Haute-Maurienne, Savoie, which is of great concern to climate experts.

Still, this is a sure-fire destination for a ski trip this February.

With many high-altitude resorts, skiers won’t suffer from a lack of snow if they choose their runs carefully. There are some strong winds, but the higher you climb, the better the conditions become.

Glaciers in Laax have recorded the deepest snowfall in the country, at more than 3.5 meters deep. Verbier and Four Valleys also say about 95 percent of their terrain remains open.

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eastern europe

When in doubt, go to Eastern Europe. There, good conditions are reported in the highlands, but not so good in the lowlands. Snowfall is very low in many parts of the region, but winter conditions are better than in the Alps, so snow that falls can remain.

with slovakia Bulgariaboth Jasna and Borovets resorts announced that most of their runways are open and conditions are ideal.

However, Bansko, Bulgaria is a place to avoid as only half of the terrain is currently skiable.

Austria

in Austria, Most resorts have been able to remain open because temperatures are not as high as in other regions.

Some Austrian resorts experienced warm, sunny weather through early February, but high-altitude resorts are now seeing fresh snowfall, according to In the Snow.

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About 25 centimeters of snow has fallen in the Kitzsteinhorn region in the country’s west over the past few days.

Italy

While based italian dolomites It has suffered worse damage than the Alps, but most trails are still accessible. Although temperatures above 10 degrees are a concern, 75 percent of the resorts on the so-called Milky Way (Rue Lattea) around Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere are still open.

scandinavia

In Scandinavia, it’s not the high temperatures that are causing the problem, but strong winds that are affecting most resorts in Norway, forcing some to close.

The weather calmed down a bit as the week progressed. This means that many parts of Northern Europe have excellent snow quality, including Voss in the west. Norway The base is said to be approximately 2 meters deep.

Why not think outside the box in Scotland?

Scotland It’s probably not the first destination most people think of for a ski trip, but it’s becoming an increasingly desirable option.

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In January, all five ski centers in the country successfully operated simultaneously for the first time this season. However, it did not last long and was soon closed due to severe high winds accompanied by record high temperatures.

Although conditions are currently looking a little better, we recommend checking snow conditions before heading out.