A spate of fatal avalanches has struck the French Alps amid persistently unstable conditions following heavy snowfall. This has prompted renewed warnings from the authorities and stark reminders of the dangers of off-piste skiing during periods of high risk.

ROME, JAN 16 - A weekend of unstable weather, snow in the Western Alps, and scattered showers in the Northwest and South awaits Italy, according to Lorenzo Tedici, meteorologist and media manager for iLMeteo.

Police in Switzerland say a fire at a bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort area is believed to have left about 40 people dead and dozens more injured.

For one Virginia family, a trip to Europe offered better prices, bigger mountains, and an unexpectedly serious week of ski school.

The slope-side home in Val d'Isère pairs true ski-in/ski-out access with expansive living spaces and panoramic mountain views.

It may take longer than flying, but a train to the Alps has an old-fashioned charm, connecting via Paris allows for a crisp Niçoise lunch at a bistro near the Gare De Lyon. The tedium of Gatwick can’t compete,