AS THE ski season starts with the Christmas holidays, the majority of French ski resorts do not have enough snow for a decent snowball fight. After one of the warmest years on record, two leading ski events have already had to be called off, with the season-opening Critérium de la Première Neige at Val d'Isère and the Women’s World Cup at Courchevel, and there are only about 40 resorts are open.
The Pyrenees resorts are in best position with most expecting to open at least 50% of their pistes, but skis are redundant in the northern Alps and fleeces could be the No1 buy in the ski stores. In the extreme south, Isola has claimed the title of “snowiest” resort in France, with 1.4m of snow on higher slopes – and it is the only resort 100% open. Neighbouring Auron has 10 pistes open but there is no snow at nearby Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage or Valberg. Most of the snow is above 2,000m. - See the Connexion for more. Comments to taglines82@gmail.com
