I’ve been looking enviously at the web cams in the French Alps over the last few days and started thinking about which type of early snow conditions are best for forming a good base for the rest of the season (assuming there is a relationship, that is)?  Does anyone know?  For example, if there is lots of snow and cold temperatures early on, does that mean that the base can be compacted well so that it lasts better if there is a dry/ warm spell later or is it better to have more gradual snowfall over the first month or so?