Snow of the week

Spring has hit the European slopes this week but the snow is maintaining good skiing conditions despite the sun, sleet, rain and high temperatures. The higher runs are the best as freezing point rises up the mountains and the going gets stodgier lower down. The lofty Swiss resorts have some of the best conditions. Zermatt (25cm/225cm) and Davos (45cm/157cm) are in fine, fluffy fettle. Geilo, Norway, has a good base of snow with 100cm snow lower down, 110cm up top, and sunny cold conditions.

The 'axis of skiville' on the west coast of North America is experiencing very low temperatures, so the snow is crisp and long johns essential. The east coast has similar conditions to Europe. Timberline, Oregon, has almost as much snow today as Bulgaria has seen all year, with 250cm consolidated snow depth on the lower slopes and 525cm on the upper slopes. They're still picking up the litter (and coins off the bobsled track) in Park City, Utah, site of the Winter Olympics, but the athletes have packed down the powder with 140cm lower down and 145 higher up. The sport continues to be excellent in Canada. Whistler, BC, has 235cm lower down and 325cm higher up.

Deal of the week

Mark Warner (0870 770 4222) offers seven nights' full-board accommodation at Cristallo Chalethotel in Courmayeur, Italy, including return flights and transfers, sauna and whirlpool, for £462 per adult and from £367 per child. Departing Gatwick 17 March.

Website of the week

The Snowlife Directory is a great first port of call for beginners wanting to learn more about life on the slopes. As well as in introduction to the different mountain sports on offer, the site lists UK ski shops, distributors and manufacturers. You can also use the search engine to look up your nearest artificial ski slopes, clubs and associations.

There's an event diary listing races and festivals for the next few years, up to date news and features, including a section on the Olympics and a reassuring Myth Buster ('Skiing isn't as expensive, dangerous or cold as you think, you're never too young or old for it, and, as the old Norwegian saying goes, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing".').