The much anticipated snowfall has begun in the Alps, with many resorts hoping that this will mark the turning point of the season.
Media around the world has been reporting on how poor snow conditions have been in most ski regions in Europe over Christmas and New Year, many implying all ski areas are closed. In fact slopes above 2,000m have fairly normal levels of snow cover for the time of year, but lower areas have been suffering.
The change from above average temperatures and rain to high altitudes to freezing temperatures and snow down to low valley floors has begun on Sunday and is expected to continue for most of this week, on and off, spreading across the Alps from the west. The most optimistic forecasts are for around 75cm (30") on higher slopes in parts of the French Alps by Tuesday morning with the potential to pass the metre (40") total mark by the end of the week for some areas. Italy's Bardonecchia is pictured above on Sunday.
However it is lower lying areas that particularly need the snowfall and so all eyes are on whether the falls there are adequate to re-open runs and in some cases open ski areas for the first time this winter. The low temperatures should also help snowmaking systems fire up to boost natural cover.
Cold weather and snowfall is also forecast this week for the Pyrenees (Cerler in Spain pictured on Sunday), which have faced similar issues to the Alps, and the Balkans, where there has been almost no snowfall and temperatures too warm for snowmaking up to now.
