First big snow blankets The Alps

More than two feet of snow has fallen in the Alps over the weekend.

Austrian glaciers have received up to 74cm in the last three days: 74cm on Pitztaler glacier; 60cm on Kaunertaler glacier; 60cm Mölltaler glacier; 30cm on Stubai glacier, and 20cm on Kitzsteinhorn glacier. All glaciers are open for skiing and reporting powder conditions.

The welcome early snowfall has prompted glacial resorts to open more terrain this week. The Kaunertaler glacier will open the Karlesjochbahn gondola, the Ochsenalm chairlift and the t-bar Noderjoch as well as five more slopes this weekend to make a total of 12.5 kilometres of terrain.

The Stubai glacier currently has 10 lifts and six slopes open and, from tomorrow, will open the descent to Gamgarten (2600m) via slope 7.

The Austrian ski resort of Obertauern, due to open Nov. 17, received 60cm over the weekend, giving a good base on which to build.

Video of Obertauern taken yesterday:

Up to 70cm of snow has also fallen on Switzerland, bringing the closure of mountain roads and the temporary suspension of train services particularly in the east.

Officials said trains between the resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz are operating but with delays as power lines near Disentis were cut on Sunday morning. Trains between Chur and Arosa were also temporarily suspended after a tree fell on a power line.

More than 10 alpine mountain passes, including the Gotthard Pass, are closed to traffic according to the Touring Club.

Check out the latest snow reports at OnTheSnow.co.uk