The Scots skiing industry could be facing its worst season in a decade as unexpected weather conditions leave the slopes bare.

The season usually runs from November to April, dependent on snowfall, but so far this season has had very inconsistent conditions.

Ski slope operators and businesses that rely on the trade are under strain as the usual visitors stay away.

Janette Janson, from CairnGorm Mountain Ltd said: "We got a couple of days in November and a couple in December, same thing now in January as the snow disappears again."

"It affects not only us here but the whole community in Badenoch and Strathspey. It affects the shops, the restaurants, the cafes, taxis, and accommodation."

Other resorts are also feeling the effect and Ms Janson described the financial impact as "devastating".

With unseasonable temperatures continuing, all many resort owners can do is wait in hope the situation will improve.

"You can't do anything, it's the weather," said Ms Janson.

"It seems to be that the fluctuation in weather temperature, we're getting 11C one day, and the next day we're hitting 2C, so there's no real frost in the ground enough to grip the snow when we do get it.

"There's not much you can do to offset it unfortunately, you have to go with the seasons as they are.

"This weekend was so warm and nice we actually put on guided walks in the middle of a ski season. That tells you how the weather is."

Much of the recruitment of staff for the ski season is done months in advance and workers have been left on standby as businesses do not have any work available when the slopes are not in use.

Rob Edmonds, from outdoor shop Mountain Spirit said: "It's been very up and down. We had some good snow in November, and got some skiing done.

"December was super slow and January gave us a little hint of something and then dropped off again so it's been a difficult start to the season."

While there is not the lure of skiing in the area, Mark Tate of Cairngorms Business Partnership said other activities can help to mitigate the financial blow during the winter months.

He said other businesses specialising in different outdoor pursuits will be doing better than expected as conditions favour them.

"The lack of snow will reduce visitor numbers at this time of year where we get a lot of opportunistic visitors that come up for the skiing." he explained.

"However for the visitors that are here there is plenty for them to do. There will be people out today on quad bikes and zip wires, for example. Those businesses will be doing better than they expected."