After a late start to the 23-24 season in France compared to previous autumn, and December beginning with only Tignes and Val Thorens open in the French Alps, this weekend will see around 15 of the countries centres running some lifts and grooming runs.
Those now opening early, that hadn't planned to before all the November snowfall, include the world's largest area, the 3 Valleys, saying that in addition to the slopes of Val Thorens, many of the connections between the valleys will be open. Avoriaz in the Portes du Soleil will also open for a "preview weekend", a fortnight early.
Those that had already planned to open this weekend include Alpe d'Huez, La Clusaz, Les 2 Alpes and Montgenevre as well as half a dozen French ski areas in the Pyrenees.
However avalanche danger bureaus are warning off-piste skiers that a combination of heavy snowfall, strong winds and periods of rain to high altitudes has created an unstable snowpack with the danger level generally at 3 ("considerable") on the scale to 5, and in some places 4 ("high").
La Plagne (pictured top this week) has announced it will open a week early for a preview weekend on the 9th/10th of December.