Les 2 Alpes (pictured above in better times for snow cover) has announced that it won't be opening for skiing and snowboarding in a fortnight's time as hoped.
The decision was made after Europe posted its warmest September on record, with temperatures well above freezing most days on glaciers in the Alps, and not getting back below freezing on many nights either.
Last weekend the Kaunertal and Solden glaciers in Austria delayed their planned openings, although the Pitztal had managed to open limited runs with a very thin base the previous weekend.
Les 2 Alpes had been due to be the first French ski area to open for 23-24 after Tignes abandoned its long term aim of operating at least a day of every month of the year, a target frequently missed over the last decade, and announced it wouldn't try to open until the end of November, the same as Val Thorens.
Les 2 Alpes now says it will open on 1st December, but will offer mountain biking and other summer mountain activities as well as lift access to the glacier for anyone visiting during its traditional October-November fortnight.
Temperatures have been gradually falling on high slopes in the Alps and overnight lows on glaciers have been dipping back below freezing but it has been mostly dry and sunny with resort-level temperatures still peaking in the 20s Celsius in the past week, and the coming week isn't looking much different so far. There have also been some fresh snowfalls in August and September but not enough to counter the impact of the warm temperatures.
Besides Pitztal, the Hintertux, Saas Fee, Passo Stelvio and Zermatt glaciers are currently open to skiers.