This weekend sees one of the earliest European non-glacier ski openings of the year, as Schladming -Dachstein prepares to open its slopes a month earlier than planned. The resort’s winter opening celebration has been moved to October 26 following early snowfalls.

Originally the resort was set to open on November 24, along with the other Ski amadé resorts including Salzburger Sportwelt, Gastein, Hochkönig and the Großarltal. But early snowfalls,  continuing low temperatures and snowmaking facilities on Planai have ensured snow cover of at least 30cm all the way down to mid station.