Spring skiing conditions prevail across Europe, prompting the Skiing Club of Great Britain to advise heading for the highest possible slopes and making the most of conditions early in the day before the snow becomes too soft. Next on the agenda is a long lunch in the sun.

Austrian glaciers and upper slopes in Italy are holding up well, while in France the best skiing is on slopes above 3000m; lower runs are patchy at best while Swiss lower slopes are even worse. Best in Austria are Sölden (10-267cm) and Obergurgl (25-130cm). There is still good snow up high in French Les Arcs (32-152cm) and La Plagne (35-140cm). Slopes in Swiss Saas Fee (23-260cm) and Zermatt (0-100cm) are high enough for good skiing, as are Italian Cervinia (35-180cm) and Passo Tonale (20-550cm).

The US and Canada are still very much in the grip of winter, with Timberline (485cm upper slope base) receiving 38cm of new snow this week. Canadian Whistler (335cm) and Kicking Horse (244cm) also have new snow. Mammoth (California) and Alta (Utah) are forecast to receive 10-20cm of new snow to enhance their already excellent bases. Meanwhile in the eastern US temperatures in Stowe will rocket from 4C today to 23C on Monday.

It will remain sunny this week in the Alps – up to 17C - although Austria will have a few cloudy periods. But April in the Alps can still bring heavy snow at any time.