We skiers are almost obsessed with snowfall – we predict, compare and deplore it – especially as the ski season gets into action and we want to book our next trip to the slopes. But it is unpredictable at best, especially in Europe, and “is so much more nuanced than just numbers.” Because the numbers are largely unregulated and subject to great artistic license, “snow depth data is a minefield,” warns weather enthusiast Fraser Wilkin of Snow-Wise.
“Take Ischgl: it is so reliable [for snow] but snow depths are generally quite modest. There isn’t a huge amount of snow falling, but what does happen is sticks,” he said. “People may look at the statistics for Ischgl and think the snowfall looks small, but you can be sure that the conditions there are usually among the best.”
What if, in our search for snow serenity, we take into account the altitude and location of a ski resort, as well as its snowfall, snow retention and quality – can we combine this with expert knowledge to save our precious winter break?
Yep, that’s where seasoned weather enthusiasts and skiers like Wilkin come into the picture. “Ask yourself: what kind of skier are you?” he advises. “If you like to hit the slopes, the best choice is to go high or go to a ski resort with strong snow cannons… If you want to hedge your bets on powder snow – risky in Europe – choose a high resort the north side of the Alps – Engelberg, Andermatt, St. Anton.”
And don’t be tempted to misjudge a resort based on what you see on social media. The infamous 2022/2023 season was plagued by headlines and videos of rain-washed slopes. Granted, the temperature spike over Christmas wasn’t ideal, but overall snowfall levels were normal.
To help you choose a snow-sure resort this winter, here we analyze some of Europe’s top destinations and their weather trajectories over a 10-year period. Once you’ve found a gem based on the data, use our list of expert resort guides to plan the perfect vacation.
Continue to your favorite country:
France
Spring days in Val d’Isère offer the best conditions across the board in April, on the Alpine side, and are filled with plenty of snow and sun in the late season. With two glaciers to contend with – Pisaillas and Grande Motte – plus Val’s vast subalpine terrain, few can rival the high quality snow, whether it’s a good year or a bad one.
According to the data, annual snowfall calculations include highs of more than 7 meters and lows of 50 cm. Conditions in Méribel are variable to say the least. But early season (December/January) seems to be the best bet for fresh snow, while higher-than-average snow depths bode well for the ski-in/ski-out village. The Tougnette telecabine or the Olympic chairlift are a sensible starting point for those looking for good snow on the slopes, or head to the highest point Mont Vallon for peak skiing.
High altitude, good snowmaking, decent snow cover – you generally know what you’re getting when you ski in Val Thorens. The amount of snowfall has not diminished over the years, and most visitors don’t go for the off-piste, of which there is plenty, so you’ll be unrivaled if that’s your thing.
It is the temperature that most affects the high altitude La Plagne, with the levels of rain and snow increasing year on year; “But above 2,000 meters, the effects of global warming are less sensitive,” says 35-year-old ski patroller Claude Schneider, who has seen it firsthand. “Although snowfall does not decrease during winters, temperature anomalies are becoming more common.”
Snowfall and snow depth during the main season puts Avoriaz at the top of the Portes du Soleil rankings, with the snowiest week in early March. Sun and snow days occur in equal measure during peak winter, but much lower slopes mean low visibility days, while skiing up to 2,466 meters is Avoriaz at its best.
Austria
Here is a refuge that statistics do not do justice to; one of Europe’s best choices for powder seekers. January is a real snow festival – cold with lots of precipitation – and the seasonal averages are well above the rest. South-facing slopes affect snow quality, but there are always things to discover in one of Austria’s snowiest regions.
From December to April, weekly snowfall rarely falls below 30cm in Obergurgl, thanks to its high elevation and north/northwest exposure – which also makes it prone to bad weather and cold temperatures. Good for early and late season skiing.
Lots of snow is made to cover the potentially patchy early and late season pistes in Kitzbühel, which has relatively low slopes and annual snowfall totals (compared to its Tyrolean counterparts here). Kitzbuhel’s tree-lined slopes shine through when the weather doesn’t cooperate, aiding visibility and providing protection from the elements.
Switzerland
The very best 2012/2013 season (more than 10 meters of snowfall) preceded by an unprecedented low winter (3.3 meters) was a trend observed in Verbier at the end of the 1970s (and again in the 1990s), while the 1990s were the a decade of better than average snow years. What should you take from it? That weather fluctuates across the high-altitude resort, but snow totals and base depths are generally well above average. Locals love the north-facing tree area of Bruson in bad weather.
According to the data, the best skiing in Zermatt is in February, when the base has built up and the characteristically steep and rocky terrain has the best coverage. But with the highest lift terrain in Europe and cold temperatures all season long, you can always count on decent conditions.
The top season 2017/18 in Wengen, with a total of 7 meters and a snow depth of 170 cm on the higher slopes, was preceded by the worst ever with a total of… 1 meter of snowfall. But Wengen’s slopes have staying power thanks to the shadow cast over the area by the mighty Monch-Eiger-Jungfrau massif (cold, shady, north-facing). Swings and roundabouts.
As part of the Dolomiti Superski, Cortina somewhat defies winter trends. That is to say, with some of the world’s best snowmaking (6,000 snow cannons covering 96 percent of the ski area) it’s as snow-sure as it gets. Average snowfall is low, but the climate is dry – ideal for snowmaking and retention. Piste skiers will find refuge there from December to April, whatever happens on a macro level.
Cervinia, Italy’s snowiest resort, with the bonus of access to the glaciers (all summer long), scores highly in terms of snow cover and quality. It also benefits from Zermatt’s location – the ski areas are linked – although its western location means sun, especially in the afternoon.
Canada
While most resorts see their snowiest week in early February, judging by the numbers, Whistler is deepest in early December with an average of five snow days per week and around 80cm. But in late spring, skiing and mountain biking overlap, with the two mountains taking turns as hosts.
USA
Trapped in the high desert of Wyoming, Jackson’s dry, light powder is unmatched except perhaps by Japan. During the snowiest week in February, half of the total amount of snow on the Whistler coast is needed, which makes sense in terms of water content. The resort is steep and nothing is off-limits, which is best suited to skiers looking for powder.