Ski resorts launch winter season

Thousands of skiers descended on Czech mountain resorts as the season opened this weekend. Following the first heavy snowfall there is 20 to 40 centimetres of snow on the slopes of the Giant Mountains and many resorts have started making artificial snow as well. Špindleruv Mlýn welcomed over 4,000 skiers at the weekend, the ski resort Pec pod Sněžkou had  more than 2,500 visitors. Some resorts are still only partially open with ski lifts operating only at the weekend.