After snowstorms and varied conditions, Alpine skies have today cleared, prompting the SCGB to describe current skiing as generally fantasticunder bluebird skies.

Leading French resorts are Les Arcs (175-340cm) with 49 lifts operating and Tignes (148-205cm) with 75 lifts open in the Espace Killy.

Winds have dropped in Austria to enable Ischgl (100-220cm) and Saalbach (150-285cm) to open fully, while Lech/Zurs (210-430cm) have 75/of 84 lifts operating.

Perfect conditions and unrivalled visibility were on offer on Thursday in Swiss Andermatt (200-380cm), where fresh powder was abundant, and Flims/Laax (140-400cm) with all 28 lifts open.

Skies have also cleared in the Italian La Thuile (40-170cm). In Cervinia (110-260cm) winds have at last abated to allow most of the lifts to open. The snow on the Plateau Rosa is in particularly good condition.

Clouds are to gather again on Friday for further, albeit lighter, snowfall with more to follow on Saturday. Austrian Ischgl and St. Anton expect some 10cm of new snow while Italian Cervinia should have 20cm before skies clear on Sunday. Snowfall will continue in France and Switzerland until Wednesday . The forecast is mixed in the US, with the best of the new snow falling in Jackson Hole and resorts in Colorado. Canadian resorts will go from strength to strength with Whistler forecast to receive 90cm, Kicking Horse 60cm and eastern resorts such as Tremblant some 30cm of new snow.