Average snow depths in the northern French Alps are currently running at 242cm at the top of the slopes and 114cm at the bottom of the ski areas.

The huge Paradiski ski area in the French Alps combining Les Arcs, Peisey Vallandry and La Plagne with an area of 425km of piste says snow levels in parts of its vast domain are the deepest they have been at this time of year for 46 years.

A hotel on the ski slopes close by St Moritz has won an award for producing more energy than it uses.

In its 6 January 2012 edition, The New York Times has selected Crans-Montana amongst “the 45 places to go in 2012”. Crans-Montana, the Swiss alpine destination located in the Valais State, is the only destination in Switzerland to be granted this prestigious recognition by the New York Times.

Snowjet have a promotion running to get you to the slopes for under £50. They will fly you from Stansted to Chambery on 28th January 2012 for under £50.