Europe



The unseasonably warm temperatures across Switzerland means ski resorts are struggling, with many at lower altitudes unable to open at all.

A ski lift in Zermatt, Switzerland, in a snowier season.

A ski lift in Zermatt, Switzerland, in a snowier season. Image by Guillaume Baviere / CC BY 2.0

No snow has been forecast for the rest of the week, and the weather has been too warm for artificial snow-making machines to operate, with these conditions expected to continue until Boxing Day. Arthur Clivaz, president of the Valais ski lift association told media: “The temperatures are astonishing for the season.” At Crans-Montana resort in Valais, only 27 kilometres of 140 kilometres of pistes were open at the weekend, and almost all of that using artificial snow. Other resorts have had to offer hiking as an alternative to skiing, or open their lifts to allow visitors just to enjoy the views. Read more: thelocal.ch