Early snow offers season hope for ski resorts

Ski resorts are hoping to open a little earlier than planned after early snows in both the Alps and Pyrenees brought the promise of a successful winter holiday season.

Snow-grooming machines in the Alpes-Maritimes' resort of Isola 2000 are already preparing the pistes after recent snowfalls dumped 40cm of the white stuff on the slopes, while locals have not bothered to wait for the official opening to get in some early skiing.

Officials in Montgenèvre, in the Hautes-Alpes, said they hope to open for business as early as next week. Those in Chamrousse, Isère, expect the first snows to last a few days at least, with temperatures forecast to drop as low as -5C.

Over in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, the small resort of La Pierre Saint-Martin is among those hoping that the further snow will follow the early falls so that the slopes are ready for the seasonal opening on December 3.

Motorists, meanwhile, have been urged to take extra care. The Puymorens pass in Pyrénées-Orientales has been closed to traffic since Monday, November 6, due to heavy snow, while many roads are passable with care.

Snowploughs and salting crews are working to clear roads, but the RN 320 and RN 22 are closed to vehicles over 19tonnes.