Portugal's only ski area, Serra da Estrela, will be closed again this weekend, but not because the snow has melted away at the end of the season, but because another huge snow storm has one again buried lifts and slopes.
The ski area has had a remarkable season, with repeated heavy snow storms closing slopes and burying lifts over and over again.
The latest snow storms over the past few days have caused 2-3 metre drifts and the area's management say they'll continue digging out on Saturday 14th April with the hope of opening on Sunday 15th if the job can be completed in time.
Serra da Estrela, located close to the Spanish border at one of Portugal's highest points and has a good snowfall record. The area has carpet (pictured below today) and chairlifts (pictured above today) and management have been seeking to develop a gondola lift there for several years.
