By James Smith, French Office
The past weekend saw heavy snowfalls making the news all over Europe, with the Alps receiving their fair share. The Tarantaise resorts of Val d’Isère, Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Ste Foy, Courchevel and Meribel currently have at least 90cm of snow on all slopes. Although this week will not be as bitterly cold as last, another change is on the way for the weekend, including a drop in temperatures and the arrival of more snow as damp air moves in off the Bay of Biscay on Christmas day.

Photo left: Chatel in the Portes du Soleil.

In the Northern Alps, the resort town of Chamonix was buried under a foot of soft powder on Sunday night, allowing all lifts and pistes to open for Christmas week, including the low-lying cross-country circuits. Heavy snow is forecast here for Christmas night and Saturday daytime. With temperatures once again falling to lows of –20, plenty of thermal clothing will be required!

Although Les Gets and Morzine will not be as cold as Chamonix, sub-zero temperatures will be back on the thermometer for Christmas day, leading to weekend snowfalls, possibly of two feet (60cm) or more in total over Friday and Saturday, and great ski conditions in prospect for the weeks to come.