An off-piste skier is in a serious condition after an avalanche at Auron in the Martime Alpes.

A large avalanche on the Dent Parrachée (3697m) early this morning in the Savoie department has left three dead and three injured, one in a critical condition.

There may be over a meter of snow on the slopes of many Pyrenean ski resorts but only Cauterets, Piau-Engaly and les Angles are still open and then only to this week-end (14/15th April).

Researchers have developed a camera system that shoots pure snowflakes as they fall from the sky. It seems the classic picture of a snowflake is the exception rather than the rule.

A team from French TV followed double world freeride champion Aurélien Ducroz on an expedition to Lofoten in the north of Norway.

A skier was injured after being hit by debris from a cornice fall on the east side of Col de la Roche Noire in the Belledonne range.

There were two avalanche incidents in the Three Valleys area yesterday which injured three skiers, one using an airbag system.

Snow cover is still excellent in the French Alps and Pyrénées. Skiable snow can be found down to 1000m on many slopes with a 100cm of snow at 1500 meters altitude.

Ski tourers will be happy, the RD 530 road from St Christophe en Oisans has reopened for the spring season although poor weather has prevented helicopters from supplying refuges.

A Russian skier has been seriously injured after an avalanche hit the open piste she was skiing on yesterday afternoon.