According to a report put together by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European mountain range – famed for its world-class ski slopes – will be severely affected by the onslaught of climate change.

The predicted 2 degree rise in temperatures, expected by 2050, would put an end to 40% of the Alpine runs, while a 4 degree increase would cut the number of slopes on which you can ski for more that 100 days per year down to just 200 from 600.

A spokesperson for the OECD said: “Climate change poses serious risks to snow reliability of Alpine ski areas, and consequently to the regional economies that depend upon winter tourism.”

Already a number of major skiing competitions have be forced to cancel, including this weekend’s women’s World Cup downhill at Val d’Isere and next weekend’s World Cup slalom race in Megeve.

Italy’s winter tourist industry is also feeling the squeeze with reported losses so far this season of £400m. Elsewhere in the continent, banks in Switzerland have started turning down loans to ski resorts.

According to the OECD, the use of snow-making machines is also on the increase, which in turn - through their excessive CO2 emissions – is also adding to the problem.

Coincidentally, at time of going to press there were 718 pairs of ski boots for sale on eBay.