Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Regional Expertise:
🇦🇺 Australia (6) • 🇺🇸 USA (15) • 🇯🇵 Japan (5) • 🇪🇺 Europe (10)
Michael Fulton
Obertauern sits at 1,740 metres in Austria's Salzburg region, making it one of the most snow-reliable resorts in the country. With 100 kilometres of pistes and a unique ski circuit layout, there's plenty to explore. Here's a rundown of the five best runs from a day on the mountain - from mellow morning groomers to leg-burning steep stuff - plus a couple of honourable mentions that deserved a spot.
Michael Fulton
Hintertux Glacier in Austria's Zillertal Valley climbs to 3,250 metres with 60 kilometres of pistes and 21 lifts. The terrain covers everything from wide glacier cruisers to steep freeride gullies dropping into alpine valleys. Here are the five runs that stood out most during a day on the mountain.
Michael Fulton
The 2025-26 ski season across the western United States wasn't just a bad year - it was the worst on record. A massive marine heat wave, a stubborn high-pressure ridge, and relentless warmth combined to destroy snowpack across eight states, force at least 69 ski resorts to close early, and wipe roughly $100 million from Vail Resorts' bottom line. Here's what happened, why it happened, and what it means for skiing's future.
Michael Fulton
The fifth edition of the Austrian and German Masters wrapped up at the Kitzsteinhorn on April 8, doubling as a European Cup Big Air event with 70 riders from 19 nations competing. Japan's Hiromu Watanabe took the men's win while Sofia Afanaseva claimed the women's title. National championship honours went to Niklas Huber and Heli Bockhorn for Germany, and Lennox König and Ilvy Paul for Austria.
Michael Fulton
Obertauern wasn't on the itinerary at all, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of a three-week Europe ski trip. Known as the "snow bowl of Austria," this circular resort surrounds the village with skiing on all sides and offers terrain that punches well above what you'd expect from a resort most Australians have never heard of. Here's an honest look at what we found on a full day exploring.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts has shut down Crans-Montana's 2024-25 ski season on Easter Monday despite strong snow conditions, sparking a backlash from local businesses, ski schools, and residents. A Change.org petition gathered over 1,200 signatures calling for an extension, but the American operator stuck to its scheduled closing date. Other resorts in the same Swiss canton are staying open - some for weeks longer - adding fuel to growing frustration with Vail's management since acquiring the resort in 2024.
Michael Fulton
A 40-year-old Slovakian freerider has been found dead after being buried in an avalanche near Plattenspitze, above the Austrian ski resort of Obertauern. Around 60 mountain rescuers were involved in the two-day search before the skier was located roughly 2.5 metres deep using RECCO detection. He had deployed his avalanche airbag but was not carrying a transceiver. Austria's avalanche death toll this season now sits at 31 - more than double the 10-year average.
Michael Fulton
Mammoth Mountain has scrapped its annual Pond Skim event at Canyon Lodge, but the resort isn't winding down just yet. With more than 100 trails still open and a spring events calendar running through late April, Mammoth is leaning into its "Second Season" campaign and plans to stay open through at least Memorial Day. Canyon Lodge wraps up on April 19, shifting operations to Main Lodge for the final stretch.
Michael Fulton
Sometimes the best ski days are the ones you didn't plan. A two-hour drive through heavy traffic led to an impromptu afternoon at Planai Schladming, one of four connected peaks in the Schladming-Dachstein region. Here's what a half-day of exploring turned up - from World Cup race pistes and eight-seater chairs everywhere to a 1,200-metre top-to-bottom run that justified the whole detour.
Michael Fulton
Day two in Snow Space Salzburg started from Flachau's free car park and covered the resort's other half - the Absolute Park terrain park, a bus connection to Zauchensee's World Cup arena, and a top-to-bottom run from 2,100 metres. Here's how the Flachau side stacks up, including what worked, what didn't, and why Austrian free parking deserves more credit than it gets.
Michael Fulton
Vail Mountain has announced a leadership change at the top, with Beth Howard retiring after 41 years and Shaydar Edelmann stepping in as the new Chief Operating Officer. Howard's career shaped much of what Vail Resorts looks like today - from signature dining to major lift upgrades. Edelmann arrives with 25 years in the snow sports industry, most recently running Heavenly Mountain Resort, and a CV that stretches across California and back to New Zealand.
Michael Fulton
A 49-year-old German snowboarder has died after being completely buried in an avalanche at Kühtai ski resort in Austria's Tyrol region. The group of three entered off-piste terrain without carrying any avalanche emergency equipment. One was partially buried and survived; the third escaped unharmed. A large-scale rescue operation involving mountain rescue, fire brigades, helicopters and police recovered the victim - but not until hours after the slide.
Michael Fulton
Snow Space Salzburg connects multiple resorts across 12 mountains on a single lift pass - but is it worth the trip? We spent a day exploring Wargrain, riding the massive G-Link aerial tram to Flachau, and testing everything from steep black runs to fun slopes. Here's what we found, including why Austrian chairlifts put everyone else to shame and where the snow was (and wasn't) holding up.
Michael Fulton
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe in Nevada is offering discounted lift tickets to anyone holding a 2025-26 season pass from another resort. Adults can ski for $60 and kids for $30 through the end of the season, with late-season conditions looking solid after 21 inches of fresh snow hit the mountain last week. The deal also stacks towards a DoubleDown Season Pass for next year.
Michael Fulton
A first look at SkiGastein in Austria's Gastein Valley - one of Salzburgerland's biggest ski regions. With 83km of pistes and 25 lifts across the main area, it sounds great on paper. But a late start, thin February snow cover, and a lot of cat tracks made for a mixed first day on the hill.
Michael Fulton
Two American backcountry skiers were caught in an avalanche in the Stubai Alps near Neustift im Stubaital, Austria, on April 3. One skier sustained a serious shoulder injury after being swept 200 metres down a steep couloir. Rescue teams airlifted both skiers from the scene.
Michael Fulton
Heavenly Ski Resort is ending its season on 5 April after record temperatures melted critical connecting runs. The Tahoe resort made it through its 70th anniversary season but couldn't stretch into mid-April as planned. Operations managed to patch runs together with limited snowfall before calling it.
Michael Fulton
Utah's ski resorts received significant April snowfall, with Brighton recording 29 inches from a single storm. Seven of the state's 15 resorts remain open to take advantage of the late-season conditions, offering temporary relief after a below-average winter.
Michael Fulton
Snowbird has launched its 2026-27 season passes at the lowest price of the year, with a $100 renewal credit for returning passholders and the return of the Freeloader Pass — a free under-18 pass bundled with every qualifying adult pass. Early Bird buyers also get a free night at The Cliff Lodge.
Michael Fulton
A brand new Doppelmayr cable car has opened at the Latemar Dolomites ski area in Italy's Val di Fiemme region, replacing a chairlift that had been running since 1988. The €15.5 million upgrade carries 2,700 people per hour and marks 50 years of cross-border ski cooperation in the region.
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