After a spate of "No snow in the Alps" stories became increasingly prominent in the world's media thanks to reports on the BBC's website and syndicated pieces from the Associated Press and Reuters (oddly all three focusing solely on Switzerland and ignoring the rest of the Alps with identical or worse problems) – there are at last reports of healthy snowfalls across Europe over the past 48 hours, with accumulations rapidly gathering pace.
Obviously having failed to check their webcams yesterday, today the Daily Mail and Metro both released rather damning reports about the state of the snow in the Alps.
Ski travel agency www.PowderBeds.com totted up the local accumulations and sent out an excited email,
"It's all white, snow has arrived across Europe! Heavy snow fell across the Alps last night, with snow forecasted throughout the remainder of this week," said a company spokesman.
Report from the slopes:
Chamonix: considerable snowfall this weekend with another 50cm forecasted over the remainder of this week. The Grands Montets cable car is due to open as planned on the 17th December 2011 (provided by Chamonix Tourist Office).
Meribel: 40cm of snow this weekend with another 40cm on its way this week. They have confirmed the slopes are in great shape and that lifts will open as planned on the 10th December. (provided by Meribel Tourist Office).
Klosters: 10cm fell last night with 50cm to 70cm snow forecast for the rest of the week. (provided by Markus Unterfinger Head of Communication, Destination Davos Klosters).
St Gervais: snow fell over the weekend, with good coverage above 1600m. Heavy snowfalls at altitude on Sunday night (provided by Chris Barrow, owner Chalet La Charme).
Chamonix and Les Contamines: snow has fallen right to the villages of Chamonix and Les Contamines at only 1000m. Cold weather will consolidate recent snow falls (provided by Chris Barrow, owner Chalet La Charme).