Snow finally blankets the Alps (BBC)

By James Cove
BBC News, the Alps

Heavy snow is now falling across the Alps giving a much needed boost to the winter tourism industry.

All the resorts are getting the benefit with snow falling down to 800 metres (2,600ft).

This Christmas was one of the worst on record with very poor snowfalls.
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"We've had well over a quarter of a metre of snow in the past 24 hours and winter has now well and truly begun," Julian Griffiths, the director of the Verbier Ski School, European Snowsport told the BBC News website.
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In other parts of Switzerland up to three-quarters of a metre (2ft 5in) has fallen.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6228545.stm

How's that for a dateline? "The Alps!" :)

is already growing shoots from the ground. It shouldn't bloom until Easter but could before Valentine's Day.