Earliest opening for French ski resort since 1980s

What promises to be a bumper winter sports season in France is getting off to an early start in several resorts - and one venue in the southern Alps is set to 'pre-open' for impatient skiers this weekend.

La Colmiane is set to open the 80% of its pistes on Saturday - its earliest opening since the 1980s, according to regional newspaper Nice Matin.

Read more: Early snow bring bookings boom for French ski resorts

The resort, which is between 1,400m and 1,800m above sea level in the Alpes-Maritimes, already has up to 70cm of snow on its higher slopes - with more forecast in the coming days.

The announcement was made on social media this week, under the banner, "Because you're impatient! Because we're ready!"

Special rates have been set for the pre-opening: €17 for adults and €14 for children. The well-known nearby resorts of Isola 2000 and Auron are scheduled to open on November 30.