Just days ago, we had heavy snowfall, with more than a metre of fresh snow in parts of the Alps. But for many ski resorts, it has come too late.
The crucial Christmas and New Year holiday period was marked by a lack of snow, hitting visitor numbers hard.
The impact is especially severe in Ticino, where several resorts remained closed over the holidays due to unusually warm temperatures and little snowfall.
In Airolo, the season began ten days late, cutting expected visitor numbers in half. At Carì, skier numbers have fallen by up to 90 percent, forcing operators to consider short-time work.
Despite altitudes above 2,200 metres, snow levels south of the Alps remain well below average.
Further snowfall is forecast, but experts say it will bring only limited relief.