Snow of the week

Europe's long-awaited snow boom continues. Strong winds have caused some of the higher slopes to be closed but fantastic skiing is available across the continent. Chamonix, France, is in tip-top condition after almost one metre of snow fell early last week. There is 75cm consolidated snow on the lower slopes and 175cm higher up. After strong winds kept the upper slopes shut last weekend, 85 per cent of the lifts at ski-perfect Crans Montana, Switzerland, are open, with a lower snow depth of 45cm and an upper depth of 250cm.

The east coast of the USA has had healthy snowfalls this week with Killington, Vermont, enjoying lower slope depths of 140cm, upper slope depths of 190cm and expecting more dumps this weekend. North of the border Mont Tremblant, Quebec, has benefited from the same cold weather conditions with lower slope depth of 70cm and 105cm higher up. But the west is best. Over a foot of fresh snow has left Fernie, BC, with 190cm lower depth and 310 higher up. Sell the house and go!

Deal of the week

Austria Travel (01708 222000) is offering seven nights' half-board three-star accommodation at the Berghaus Hochrindl hotel, Bad Kleinekirchheim, Carinthia, for £299. The deal, including return flights Gatwick-Klagenfurt and transfers, is available departing every Saturday in March until the 29th.

Website of the week

Ski Solutions claims to have the largest staff of any specialist ski travel agency and its virtual agency is pretty comprehensive too: combining news, information on snowfall and late bookings, sales facilities and webcams. But most impressive are their resort write-ups; providing detailed and impassioned advice on what you'll find in 25 of the biggest resorts in the world. All in all a great place to browse.