Many of the 50 or so ski areas already open for the 2019-20 season have announced they have closed for all or part of today as another huge November snowstorm has arrived in the Alps.
Storm force winds gusting to 100kph and very heavy snowfall have made conditions unsafe to open at many areas with Crans Montana and Verbier (pictured above this morning) amongst those announcing they are closed today.
Some forecasts are for as much as 1.5 metres (five feet) more snow at some ski areas in Italy and Switzerland with heavy snow in Austria and France too.
Cervinia, which reported 2.4m (8 feet) of snow in 7 days last week is forecast to get another 60cm (2 feet) of snow whhich would take its 14 days total to three metres/10 feet.
Chamonix and Val Thorens have opened for their seasons today but with terrain limited by the conditions.
The Stubai Glacier announced yesterday that a planned World Cup Freestyle event there today would be cancelled due to the forecast but said it hoped to open for recreational skiing and boarding, however the centre is currently stormbound with no lifts operating.
Conditionns are expected to improve tomorrow.