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Crash investigators looking in to the circumstances surrounding Michael Schumacher's accident on the slopes of the 3 Valleys 11 days ago have reported back with their initial findiungs.

In a press conference they confirmed Schumacher fell and hit his head on a rock when skiing between two pistes, rated easy and intermediate respectively. He was approximately three metres from the nearest groomed piste.

They say that Schumacher's ski speed, the piste conditions and piste signage were not contributing factors. They also said that he was skiing on rental skis described as "almost brand new."

In response to questions from journalists, the lead investigator said he could not say whether Schumacher was "careless," but said his team planned to carry out a full reconstruction of the accident with the aid of helmet-camera footage from Schumacher's helmet which they are going through "image by image."

The investigator said the camera footage was crystal clear and high quality although the helmet was described as Longer in one piece" following the accident.

The investigation is standard practice after a serious accident on the slopes.

Michael Schumacher was placed in an induced coma after the accident and is described as currently being in a "stable but serious" condition in a hospital in Grenoble.

His wife Corinna has now asked media and fans to leave the hospital grounds in order to take the pressure off doctors, surgeons and other hospital employees.

Anthony Seibert, the 24 year old grandson of Vail founder Pete Seibert, has been killed in an avalanche in a back country area close to the famous Colorado resort.

Reports indicate that Mr Seibert was skiing in a closed off-piste area yesterday, accessed by a gate and known as the East Vail Chutes. Three others skiing with Mr Seibert were injured and taken to hospital but have since been released.

Reports said further that there had been a number of snow slides in the area in recent weeks due to snow conditions and the avalanche risk is rated as 'considerable.'

Pete Seibert, who died in 2002, is credited with finding Vail's location in partnership with rancher Earl Eaton in the late 1950s and helping to establish the resort which is now in its 51st season.

Several US ski areas have been closed because they say it's too cold for safe snow sports.

Resorts in Wisconsin have been reporting temperatures of -27 Farenheit (-33 Celcius) with wind chill meaning it can feel as cold as -52 Farenheit (-47 Celcius)

The closed ski areas, which include Granite Peak (pictured) and Sunburst ski areas are not just concerned about the dangers of skiing or boarding in such low temperatures on the slopes, but also that lifts might breakdown leaving people stranded in the frozen air on chairlifts.

At the ski areas temperatures failed to reach a high of -10F (-23C) yesterday on Sunday but it is expected to get much warmer from today onwards, possibly hitting a high of zero degrees Farenheit (-18 C) today and then much warmer, as high as 30F (-1 C) by the weekend.

Lindsey Vonn has announced she will not be competing at the Sochi Olympics, due to commence in a month's time today, due to injury.

29-year old Vonn, arguably the biggest name in Alpine skiing for the past five years, has had repeated problems with her right knee and is to undergo more surgery.

The American skiing superstar said she was, "devastated" at being forced to make the decision to pull out of the Games by her injury.

Vonn became the first American woman to win gold in the Olympic Downhill at Whistler four years ago and prior to recent injuries, has dominated her sport, even asking at one point to be allowed to compete with the men.

"On a positive note, this means there will be an additional spot so that one of my teammates can go for gold. I will be cheering for all of the Olympians and especially team USA!" said Vonn.

There have been healthy snowfalls over the weekend in the Western and southern Alps and the Dolomites, further improving conditions.

However the snow, which has been most marked on higher altitude slopes, largely bypassed much of Austria and the north eastern Alps over the weekend, leaving some ski areas in the region almost totally reliant on machine made snow leaving white ribbons on green mountain sides. That does however seem to be changing to some extent at present with some fresh snow in parts of the country.

Among the resorts reporting particularly good accumulations over 24 hour periods from Saturday to Sunday were:

In Switzerland Verbier reported 22cm, St Moritz 25cm, Leysin 40cm, Gstaad 30cm and the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil 30cm.

But bigger falls were reported in France with Avoriaz, a higher elevation resort on the French side of the Portes du Soleil claiming nearly two feet (58cm) in 24 hours and Flaine 30cm (a foot).

In the Dolomites Val Gardena said a 50cm snowfall has added another foot to base depths following an 'up to one metre' fall a week ago. There was also a foot (30cm) in the Fassa Valley.

In the Pyrenees St Lary claimed a 25cm accumulation in 24 hours.

Austria was not entirely missed, Brand reported 20cm of snow and other areas got smaller snowfalls. Kitzbuhel reported 15cm of fresh snow but the Skiwelt's base depths are now down to 20-50cm.

As Michael Schumacher remains in an induced coma (latest reports are that a friend who visited the F1 star in hospital on Friday told reporters that he had been told by surgeons that Schumacher's life was no longer in danger, but there's been no official statement), the world's media is now focusing on what they feel is the main related story of interest – the wearing of ski helmets.

The fact that his Grenoble doctors have said that Schumacher's life was saved at the time of the crash because he was wearing a helmet means the reporting has moved on from the "is there are point in wearing a helmet?" debate to look at further figures which (as the BBC and daily Telegraph have reported) include a book is ski helmet sales since Sunday, which have left retailers in Meribel, where Schumacher was injured, reportedly sold out, to data which seems to show that although the number of people wearing helmets continues to grow, the rate of serious head injuries from ski accidents remains about the same.

The most quoted figures are from the US National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) who report that approximately two thirds of skiers boarders, on average, now wear helmets (it is compulsory to do so in the state of New Jersey, and for employees and those taking lessons at numerous US resorts) that number of serious head injuries remains static.

The conclusions from doctors and others quoted is that skiers and boarders are taking more risks than before, so that while the helmets help, they can't cancel out the increased danger.

Comments include,

"Skiers and boarders wearing helmets think they're invincible."

"Extreme ski movies, HD head cams and events like the X Games inspire people to take risks."

"Easier to use equipment makes it easier for people to get off piste and in to danger when they're not aware of the potential problems they may be making for themselves."

Formula 1 fans are holding a silent birthday vigil outside the Grenoble hospital where Michael Schumacher is currently receiving treatment following his injury on the slopes above Meribel at the weekend. The F1 star, who retired in 2012 after seven championship wins, turns 45 today.

Members of Ferrari fan clubs from Italy and France, mostly dressed in red team colours, will be among those wishing to provide moral support to the Schumacher family who have been at the racing star's bedside since the weekend, expressed their gratitude for the many messages of support they have received.

Michael Schumacher remains in a, "stable but critical condition," according to his manager, who also confirmed yesterday that his helmet did crack in two, as previously rumoured, when his head hit a rock. However the helmet is credited by surgeons for absorbing much of the impact so that Mr Schumacher is still alive.

His doctors said on Tuesday that Michael Schumacher had shown signs of improvement, but was still "not out of danger" and said it might well be weeks of even months until it's known how much, or hopefully how little, long term damage has been done. It is possible to keep someone in a medically induced coma for several weeks and for them still to make a full recovery.

(Arosa's solar array)

The Swiss ski resort of Arosa, due to be linked to neighbouring Lenzerheide later this month in a long planned resort connection that will more than triple its ski area domain from 70 to 225km of piste, has an unusually frank description of the drive up to its high altitude location in the 'Getting here' section of its website,

"(It's an) approximately 45 minutes up the mountain from Chur on a road full of curves (30 km, 360 curves, 1320 m altitude difference)." The section implies that rail and bus travel up to Arosa is the more comfortable way to arrive.

But the resort has put this bendy road to its advantage by seeking 2500-5000 Franc sponsorship of individual bends in the road, raising money for environmental projects in the resort, an initiative it believes is a world first.

So far around 120 of the bends have been sponsored raising substantial funding that has gone on a solar array, a green heating system, and a bear park.

"Arosa is a destination with a lot of regular guests – these guests know the curves very well and most of them have a "favourite curve" as they always stop there to take a picture or to get some fresh air. And these people now buy "their curve," said a resort statement.