Given the worries about the lack of snow I thought it might be a good idea to give a short video report on the snow conditions in the Belledonne (French Northern Alps) today.

The first snows of winter have finally arrived. Everyone is excited to be getting some turns.

Just a few days after a disastrous defeat against New Zealand in the Rugby world cup that has left the nation shell-shocked the French have the 600th anniversary of the battle of Azincourt to remember

There were 45 avalanche victims in France during the 12 months finishing on the 30th September 2015. Over the last 35 years only 4 other winters have seen such a high number of fatalities.

We've seen some pretty spectacular wingsuit flying on the Brevent over the last couple of years and there have been a fair number of deaths as other pilots try to emulate their heros.

Recent developments in ski touring gear seem to have been going in the wrong direction.

Following fresh snow at altitude accompanied by strong winds 5 climbers have been killed and two are missing in the Ecrins mountain range in the French Alps.

A software glitch has hit the JetForce avalanche airbag causing computer shutdowns and deployment failures.

A 31 year old Swiss climber who called the French rescue services claiming to have frostbite has been fined 3000 euros, 1500 of which are suspended for “giving false information leading to a rescue”.

Contrary to many newspaper reports climate change has not halted over the last decade, at least not in the Alps.