Up to 30cm of new snow has fallen in Switzerland, more in parts of Austria. In France and Italy, where it has hardly snowed at all, temperatures are very cold which has helped with artificial snow-making. In the US, Breckenridge (Colorado) has nearly 100cm of fresh powder, while the eastern US has also improved with fresh snowfall.

There has been no significant new snow in France this week. Pyrenean Barèges/La Mongie (40-70cm) and Alpine Val Thorens (85-165cm) had a 3cm dusting; the latter offers good skiing mainly because of its altitude. The Ski Club of Great Britain reports that fresh powder is now rare or non-existent in France.

The pick of Italy this week is Val Senales (50-270cm), which is best on the glacier. Swiss conditions are varied with some patchy lower slopes but Engelberg (35-300cm) and Mürren (54-174cm) are now ideal after new snow.

New snow is widespread in Austria with Kaprun (22-213cm) receiving 47cm of new snow on Wednesday, closely followed by Saalbach (45-65cm), Schladming (70-90cm) and Ischgl (20-110cm).

It will remain cold in the Alps, with Austria expecting new snow, some of it heavy. In France, Italy and Switzerland there will be little more than a dusting of fresh snow. Resorts in western Canada and the US expect more snow with up to 25cm of new snow in Colorado. There will also be new snow in the east of both countries with low temperatures.