Heavy snowfall across North America have delivered "the first powder days of the season" to many resorts in the Pacific Northwest of the continent.
Accumulations of up to 24" (60cm) in 24 hours have been reported by ski areas in Oregon, Washington state and in BC, Canada to the north. Further south and further in land there have been significant snowfalls too and another major storm system is just moving in.
The snow is badly needed after a dismal first few months of the season with very little snowfall and temperatures too warm for snowmaking which left centres struggling to open much terrain over the key Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays.
The poor early season conditions have been blamed on a very strong warming El Nino system this winter from the Pacific.
Even with the new snow the snowpack remains well below the average for January and skiers and boarders have been warned to be cautious of 'early season conditions' and watch out for unmarked obstacles under the snow.