You would need to go back some years to find quite such a promising pre-season snowfall start to the Alps at Val Thorens.
Following a big snowfall a week ago, there's been more heavy snowfall over the past 48 hours so rather than the issue of making sure machines have made enough snow to open, this year it is looking like lifts and roads may have to be dug out to open.
With more than 40cm of snowfall in the past 24 hours and bases at around 50-100cm Europe's highest major ski resort will open this Saturday, 18th November with the lift company confirming that at least 70% of the ski area will be open on day one.
The weekend after next on 25 and 26 November, the season will kick-off in style with Val Thorens' 'La Grande Première' celebrations.
Visitors will have the chance to test the new models of top ski manufacturers for free and benefit from professional advice. There will also be snowboards and snowcoots to test as well as new clothing from a total of 57 brands represented in resort.
In the evening, the start of the season will be celebrated on Place Caron with free concerts, including Bormin and Julian Perretta.