Heavy snow has forced the cancellation of the second event of the season ©Getty Images

Heavy snow has forced the cancellation of the second event on the International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Cross World Cup circuit in Val Thorens.

According to the FIS, around 30 centimetres of snow fell overnight at the French resort and the adverse weather continued this morning.

Organisers and officials put in a "massive" effort to clear the snow in order for the competition to be held as planned.

But the extent of a forecasted storm - which forced organisers to move the World Cup curtain-raiser forward 24 hours from yesterday to Thursday (December 7) - ended any hopes of the event taking place.

The FIS have admitted there is "little possibility" of the competition being rescheduled due to the compact nature of the Ski Cross World Cup calendar.

Organisers and officials put in a
Organisers and officials put in a "massive" effort to clear the snow in order for the FIS Ski Cross World Cup in Val Thorens but the event still had to be cancelled ©Getty Images

They added, however, that they would "explore other options" for making up today's cancelled event.

"FIS would like to thank the organisers and volunteers in Val Thorens for their hard work and determination today," FIS ski cross race director Martin Fiala said.

"Though we were not able to overcome today's challenges, Val Thorens has proven once again this week why it is one of the premier ski cross venues in the world. 

"Now we look forward to the next stage of the Cross Alps Tour in Arosa and to returning to Val Thorens once again next season."

The Ski Cross World Cup series is due to continue in Arosa in Switzerland on Monday (December 11).