In reply to tuckey234:
It's impossible to tell. In 2003, the Alps were left extremely dry in the summer. But 2004 was a snowy winter, with well over 300 cm in French resorts at 2,300 metres by early March. The following year was even snowier, and it lasted late: in mid-April 2005 there was 450 cm at 2300 metres.
Winter 2004 was a weak el Nino year. We are now heading into a strong el Nino. Last time that happened was 2009 -10, a poor snow year in the Alps. On the other hand, the winter of 1998 -9, also a strong el Nino, was one of the snowiest for decades, with huge avalanches that (for example) killed eight people in an apartment block in Le Tour.
The key fact is: if it starts snowing and it sticks, routes can be restored very quickly. After all, apart from a few little patches, all the snow melts on Ben Nevis and Creagh Megaidh every summer. By January one can be enjoying thick, fat ice.
Post edited at 11:17