Experts say scant snowfall across much of the U.S. West early in the season created an unstable layer at the bottom of the snowpack, and dangerous conditions are expected to persist for months.
Once the festive season has passed, the acute temptation to spend the winter months hibernating sets in, particularly with seasonal depression and too much Christmas cake weighing us down. But for keen skiers, there is no better cure than breathing alpine air and soaring down a piste while soaking up some frosty sun.