Let it snow! Ski resorts in French Alps forced to delay start of season as slopes remain bare due to balmy December weather

Ski resorts in the French Alps have been forced to delay the start of their season due to a lack of snow – casting doubt on British travellers’ plans for an idyllic winter break over the holidays.

A mild start to December has left some slopes bare and holidaymakers are facing disappointment with French forecasters warning there may not be any significant snowfall until two days before Christmas.

Resorts fear they will endure a repeat of last season when there was barely any snow until just after Christmas, when a blizzard walloped the snow-starved region and caused travel chaos.

The slopes at Chaillol, on the edge of the Ecrins National Park, are almost completely devoid of snow 

Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, in the Rhone-Alpes, is one of the many French Alps resorts that remain closed

Nine of 27 trails are open at Le Collet d'Allevard, which is only open on weekends at the moment

Many resorts were hoping to be open this weekend, but many have decided not to run their ski lifts until there is more snow – meaning they are losing thousands of pounds’ worth of business every day.

The unseasonably warm weather and 2014’s late start are testing the confidence of holidaymakers, with ski companies reporting a 14 per cent drop in bookings compared with last year, the Times reported.

Valfrejus has delayed its original opening date for at least another week, and Orcieres-Merlette is closed. Some slopes are open at higher altitudes.

At Isola 2000 in the Southern Alps, only seven of 43 slopes are open after snow-making machines were turned on.

Frederic Collett, manager of Le Druos hotel, told The Times: ‘But there is hardly anyone, and the few pistes which are open are almost empty.

‘In the meantime the bookings haven’t taken off. We’re only half full for the holidays.’

Chastreix-Sancy, a smaller resort in central France, doesn't appear to be close to opening anytime soon

At Isola 2000 in the Southern Alps, seven of 43 slopes are open after snow-making machines were turned on

Many resorts have decided to delay the start of their season as they - and holidaymakers - wait for more snow

Diane Palumbo, sales and marketing manager at Skiworld, told the newspaper that bookings at higher resorts are suffering a bit because holidaymakers are booking their trips later in the season after last year’s late start.

The short-term forecast doesn’t look promising, with French forecasters predicting temperatures near 10C and light snow or snow showers for a handful of resorts mid-week.

They have told resorts to expect little snow until December 23 at the earliest.

Last Wednesday, a dusting of snow fell in the Northern Alps, with Chamonix picking up just under 4in on the upper slopes and a couple of inches at Three Valleys and Espace Killy, Snow-Forecast.com reported.

The website said: ‘This has done little to change the overall picture in France, with more snow needed to improve the fortunes of many resorts.

‘The Southern Alps still continues to struggle, with no significant snowfall in the past couple of weeks.

‘With Christmas fast approaching, resorts will be hopeful of some fresh snow in the coming weeks.’

Snow-making conditions may be more favourable next weekend, the website added.

Last year, resorts endured one of the worst starts to their season in recent memory when they had to wait until two days after Christmas for a significant onslaught.

But it turned out to be too much at once, as a severe snowstorm forced roads and airports to close, leaving thousands of holidaymakers stranded.