Reports from the Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) kick off for the season this week, in all five of their standard forecast areas.

The first of the winter's daily Avalanche Information Reports from Creag Meagaidh, Glen Coe, Lochaber, Northern Cairngorms and Southern Cairngorms will be posted tomorrow, Thursday 12 December.

In each of these five popoular areas SAIS forecasters are out daily come hail or shine to assess snow conditions and avalanche hazard on behalf of walkers, climbers and off-piste skiers.

This season the service will be piloting a Torridon forecast in addition to their standard five areas. The pilot will run for limited periods during the winter (24-29 Dec 2013, then 1-5 Jan, 10-12 Jan, 31 Jan - 2 Feb, and 14 - 22 Feb). See UKH/UKC news here for more.

It is ironic that the season's launch coincides with a massive thaw on the hills, but hopefully normal service will resume soon.