Europe's most southerly ski area, Spain's Sierra Nevada, has announced it plans to stay open into May.
The resort, located above the ancient city of Grenada and close to the Mediterranean coast, had had a rather lacklustre first two-thirds of the season with limited snowfall, but since March has had some of the biggest accumulations in Europe, leading it to ending March posting the continent's deepest snow at 3 metres (10 feet).
Since then, it has dropped back to 2.5m but still reports 85% of its slopes open.
So far ski areas in 10 countries have announced they'll be staying open to the first weekend in May.
Centres also due to close on Sunday 4th include Austria's Ischgl, Pitztal and Solden; Canada's Lake Louise and Marmot Basin; Finland's Pyha, Ruka, Saariselkä and Yllas; France's Tignes and Val d'Isere; the Zugspitze glacier in Germany; Italy's Cortina and Val Senales; Norway's Narvik (which has been reporting heavy snowfall over the past few weeks); Switzerland's Adelboden, Diavolezza, Engelberg and Samnaun as well as Brian Head in Utah, USA. Dozens more ski areas will stay open later into May.
