Scotland's five highland ski centres are hoping to open this weekend after the recent storms brought fresh snow to the mountains after an often warm and generally dry December wiped out any hopes of Christmas or New Year holiday skiing.
All five areas have now got white slopes but most are currently assessing whether they can at least open some terrain at the weekend and they they'll decide by this evening.
The problem has been that the snow has been accompanied by strong winds which gusted at up to 115mph at Cairngorm meaning what snow that does fall can be blown off.
It is also scheduled to warm up again from Saturday, but it may remain cold enough for the snow to last on higher slopes.
Both The Lecht and Nevis Range (pictured above today) are offering skiing on their artificial surface ski slopes which have a snow covering.
The Lecht say access roads are currently closed and summed up the situation at all five centres this morning with their comment,
"We are currently looking at the hill, very windy which hopefully isn't stripping the hill completely. please keep an eye on the reports as soon as we know what's happening we will let you all know, hopefully we will be able to open something over the weekend."
The Lecht was open for two weekends in mid-November which was colder and snowier than the six weeks since. Nevis Range and cairngorm also briefly opened very limited beginner terrain but the roller coaster of very warm and windy weather following cold air has prevented any snow covering from lasting.