In pictures: The Alps just got its first big snowfall of winter 16/17

Time to change the hashtags. Winter isn’t just coming, it’s actually here! This weekend has seen the first big dump of winter across the Alps. Here’s a few snow-filled snaps and videos to gawk over:
Kaunertal‘s lofty glacier has been open in September, but conditions have been a little on the lean side. 18 inches are predicted for the next few days. Road trip, anyone?
France received the brunt of Saturday’s snow. Val d’Isere has had 12 inches so far, with more predicted for Wednesday and Thursday.
Lech, in the Arlberg area of Austria, often lucks out with big snowfalls, and this weekend was no exception. The area should receive a foot of snow by Friday.
As the highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens is no stranger to pre-season snowfalls. Let’s hope it sticks around for the resort’s opening on 26 November.
Verbier is already looking like a winter wonderland, with another 40 inches predicted for this week.
Like neighbouring Val d’Isere, Tignes is predicted a big snowfall this week. Good news for anyone making the most of its glacier…
Engelberg is another ski resort that’s already open. It’s had six inches of snow this weekend, but should get over a foot on Wednesday and Thursday. Bring it on!