(Hemsedal last week)
Norwegian ski areas have begun opening for winter 2012-13 after heavy snow in many parts of the country at the weekend.
One of the largest resorts, Hemsedal, will open this Thursday 1 November, a day earlier than planned.
"With up to 40 cm of snow, this is the best Hemsedal season opener ever," said an excited report from the resort, which says it will now be open for 6 months to the start of May 2013, or 182 days to be precise.
"Hemsedal has the best possible foundation and excellent skiing conditions during the season opener this week. There is 15 cm of fresh snow and favourable conditions for snowmaking," said operations manager Andrew Smith-Erichsen of Skistar Hemsedal.
Another of Norway's top resorts, Trysil, will open on Sunday after receiving 15cm of fresh snow.
The resort will open track 15 (2.4km long) and run 21 in the children's area Adventure and the lifts to serve them including the T2 Fjellekspressen 6-seater express chairlift.
Hemsedal will initially open the Lynx Trail in the children's area along with the Hollvin Express lift and Hemsedal trail and lift wolf and the Troll Trail that runs between Hemsedal Alpin Lodge and the "base area". Restaurants, dining and shops will be open as normal from Friday 2nd November.