Snowfall is starting to fall again after a 4-5 day period of largely dry, sunny weather in the Alps.
Forecasting models are currently pointing towards 50-70cm of snow for many ski areas by the weekend, but some are expecting 25cm, or more every day for the coming four days to give more than a metre more snow in total.
Strong to gale force winds are also forecast in many areas.
Chamonix is one of those expecting more than a metre more snow over this period and has already declared today a 'bad weather day' with limited operations and has cancelled the FIS Men's slalom competition due to be staged on January 17th and 18th.
An official 'bad weather day' in Chamonix means ski pass holders have certain rights to ski at other neighbouring areas free or at a reduced rate.
Some other ski areas in the French Alps and Italy's Aosta Valley – in many cases the same areas as those that had to close their ski areas or were cut off from the outside world by snow in the first and/or second weeks of January – are also forecast to get around a metre more snowfall by Saturday.