Skiers hit as Alps stations stay shut

Abnormally warm weather stops resorts from opening but Isola 2000 and Serre-Chevalier will be open

A LACK of snow has hit skiers' plans for this weekend after nine ski stations in the French Alpes decided to delay planned opening.

Alpe d'Huez (Isère), Auron (Alpes-Maritimes), Chamrousse (Isère), Les Menuires (Savoie), Les Saisies (Savoie), Megève (Haute-Savoie), Méribel (Savoie), Montgenèvre (Hautes-Alpes) and Villard-de-Lans (Isère) have no snow.

However, Serre-Chevalier Vallée (Hautes-Alpes) has brought its opening forward a week to this weekend as the southern Alps have had some suitable snow. Further south at Isola 2000, the station plans to open again this weekend after a successful opening last weekend.

Neighbouring Mercantour stations Auron and Valberg are still closed, with the possibility of opening on December 10.

An abnormally warm November has been blamed for the closed stations, with average temperatures 2.9C above the seasonal norm.