An increasing number of ski areas in Colorado have finally fully opened after the latest round of snowfalls earlier this week.
The region had little natural snowfall compared to normal and temperatures too warm for snowmaking at times for much of December and January, leaving many resorts unable to open much terrain.
It was a problem also felt in Utah, California and southern ski states like Arizona and New Mexico where conditions have been still more dire and some areas remain unable to open.
Steamboat was the first Colorado resort to report all runs open at the end of last month but it has now been joined by Breckenridge (186 of 187 runs open) which has received 46cm of snow in the last 72 hours, Vail (192 of 195 runs open) after 38cm of fresh snow amongst others.
Aspen, which has had about 20cm of snow, has 259 of its 337 runs open.
More southerly resorts like Telluride (79 of 151 runs open) remain the hardest hit although conditions are improving here with 20cm of snow in the past 72 hours and a similar amount forecast in the next 72 hours.
Forecasters do expect significant fresh snowfalls over the weekend and in to next week.