After an anxious wait for some European resorts, snow came at last this week prompting thousands of locals and holidaymakers to grab their skis and snowboards and head out on to the piste.
Alpine resorts saw large snowfalls down to 800 metres during the past week, meaning many skiers can rest assured their holidays will go ahead as planned.
People enjoying a
Verbier ski holiday will certainly be hitting the slopes with relish after 20cm of snow fell.
Julian Griffiths, the director of the European Snowsport ski school in the Swiss resort, told the BBC: "We've had well over a quarter of a metre of snow in the past 24 hours and winter has now well and truly begun.
"It's a shame it was not here for Christmas but thankfully it is here now," he added.
Meanwhile, those embarking on an Italian
ski holiday in Sestriere, where last year's Olympic alpine events took place, have been boosted by the advent of 40cm of snow.
With more snow expected in the Alps before the weekend, many skiers will be able to enjoy their holiday to the maximum.
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