Ski areas in the French Alps have reported up to a metre of fresh snowfall in the past 24 hours, bringing to an abrupt end a mostly dry month.
Chamonix reported the largest accumulation, one metre, with Les Arcs reporting 80cm, La Plagne and Tignes 60cm, Puy Saint Vincent 51cm, Val d'Isère 45cm and Meribel 44cm. Up to 60cm of snowfall has also been reported by resorts in Western Switzerland.
The snowfall is the first wave of a major storm system currently hitting Western Europe. It was forecast to bring warmer temperatures and rain to high levels on Thursday and whilst most resorts are describing their new snow as "powder", La Plagne does say their cover as "wet snow".
Snowfall is expected to intensify over the coming 24 hours with avalanche warning agencies saying that off piste danger levels are likely to be be high to very high over the next few days due to the combination of factors including strong winds and the sudden deposit of large quantities of, in some cases, heavy wet snow on a long standing frozen base.
Ski resorts and travel companies have also advised weekend travellers to be prepared for delays and for those self-driving to prepared for winter driving on snow and ice, among other things ensuring they carry chains and no how to fit them.