Schladming-Dachstein opened for the season on Thursday, one month earlier than originally scheduled.

The resort had initially coincided its opening with its fellow Ski amadé resorts, comprising Gastein, the Großarltal, Hochkönig and Salzburger Sportwelt on November 24th.

However, with the excellent early snowfall dumping at least 12 inches all the way down to middle station, as well as the revamped snow-making facilities, the resort chiefs decided to open early in what is one of the earliest non-glacier ski openings of the year. With 270 lifts covering the 860km of slopes, Ski amadé is Austria's largest network of ski lifts and excellent value for money.