Photos: fresh snow boosts French ski resorts

Families heading to the slopes for the holidays can rejoice as impressive levels of snowfall have returned to the French Alps - and more is forecast for the coming days.

Temperatures have been above seasonal averages for several weeks, leading to concerns that ski resorts would suffer from low cover.

A bout of snowfall in November was at risk of thawing, limiting the number of operable pistes at the start of the popular Christmas season.

However, temperatures are beginning to drop – and may fall below seasonal norms by Christmas – and snowfall has been recorded along the southern Alps (more at risk of a lack of snowfall than its northern counterpart).

Between 20cm to 40cm of snow fell in the Alpes-Maritimes yesterday (December 16), settling at around 1,200 metres. 

At the highest peaks of the Alps, up to two metres of snow was recorded.

It gave resorts including Isola 2000 and Auron fresh snow coverage.

Further snowfall is forecast on Friday (December 19), which resorts hope will top up slopes with fresh cover just as the winter school holidays begin in France.

In the Pyrénées, up to 70cm of snowfall is expected this weekend, with most resorts set to benefit. Resorts in the area have largely managed to avoid thawing of the previous November snowfall, so are in good shape for the Christmas season.

The Massif Central is expected to see only around 20cm of snowfall before Christmas, limited to the highest peaks. 

The Jura and Vosges ranges are not expected to see any snowfall until after Christmas.