SAM Magazine-Zermatt, Switzerland, Nov. 26, 2008-Huge snowfalls in recent weeks have brought fantastic early-season conditions to ski resorts across Europe, according to Patrick Thorne's www.Skiinfo.com. Resorts in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Norway and Switzerland have reported more than three feet in the past five days, and more than 200 ski areas across the continent expect to be open this weekend, from Spain to Eastern Europe and from Italy to Scandinavia.

The Pyrenees are having their best start to the season for many years, with snow accumulations approaching seven feet at several resorts-great news for Andorra as well as resorts on the French and Spanish sides of the range.

In the Alps, Zermatt has more than 100 miles of trails open, probably the most in Europe at present, but the Espace Killy in France opens on Friday with nearly 200 miles of trails between Tignes and Val d'Isere combined. Many resorts from Italy to Germany and Scandinavia are also open thanks to recent snowfall.

In Scotland the Lecht ski area has opened, and more snow is expected at the weekend.

Still more snow is expected across Europe over the next week. \