Following last week's big snow falls across the Alps, what are the implications for skiers? Will there be a high avalanche risk?

Avalanches are caused by a variety of different snow conditions but the significant one in play here is the stability of the base layer of snow. After less than brilliant early snow, and rain at high altitude in many European resorts, the stability of the base off-piste should still be treated with caution. Follow the guidance given in each resort and if the fluffy stuff is looking appealing, take a local trained guide or instructor who will not only know the safest places to go but can often find you untracked powder even days after the latest snow falls. On piste, the resorts are busy earning the money you pay for their lift pass by diligent piste grooming, packing down the snow as it falls and ensuring the snow stays gorgeous as long as possible.

Is it enough base for a few weeks/months?

On-piste, there’s generally enough for everyone at the moment but coming up is the dreaded (at least for us singletons) half term period: Three weeks of overcrowding and annoyingly good "mini me’s" whizzing around the slopes. To steal a phrase, the sheer weight of traffic means the snow often comes out the other side of half term a little jaded. On the bright side, past history tells of lots of lovely overnight snow in February and bright sunny days.

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Off-piste, resorts with higher ski areas such as Tignes in France and Zermatt in Switzerland fared the warm weather a lot better than most and had their base snow layer mostly formed before last week's snowfall. These resorts will probably be the best option for off-piste riding in the coming weeks. Other resorts however had no base of snow off the groomed slopes which will make the new snow layer a lot more unstable off-piste.

Is more snow forecast?

At the moment the forecast is looking clear and sunny although there may be a few light showers towards the end of the week. Hopefully the temperatures will stay cool, although not as freezing as before.

Are there areas of the Alps that still don't have enough snow?

Most of the resorts that were in serious trouble after the rain and warm weather washed away their snow are now back in business again after the last snowfall. The Hahnenkamm downhill race was cancelled due to lack of snow but when the day of the race dawned, Kitzbuhel had had so much new snow, they couldn't have held the race anyway. The recent cold snap has also allowed resorts to begin making snow again to cover those pistes that were bare.

Have the price of ski holidays shot up since the snow falls?

The price of ski holidays in Europe dropped significantly in January with last minute deals going for as little as £99 but since the new snow, they have regained their original price for the start of February. The ski season has three peaks all focused around school holidays. February half term stretches over two weeks in the UK, three weeks in Europe (so that everyone gets a chance to ski) and capacity is always stretched that last minute bargains are harder to find than a native French speaker in Meribel. As discounts are little or non-existent, and prices are premium anyway, the answer would have to be no (though you can still get bargains if you hunt around and don’t have a strong view on which resort you want to visit).

Are flights full over the next few weeks because people are booking them up?

Due to the upcoming half term, flights will begin to be booked up in the next week or two. Although BA have now managed to reach an agreement in talks with union leaders and averted the planned strike, many people have already made alternative travel arrangments causing other airlines to be fuller than normal.

Kate is founder of ski guides Mad Dog Ski and a former chalet girl.

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