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These ski resorts are among the safest bets in the Alps.

They might not have the highest natural snowfall, but what snow they do get tends to stick around, and stay in good nick.

Key factors for snow retention and quality include altitude, aspect and geographical location. Resorts set deep within the Alps tend to hold on to their snow better than those on the edge – especially the northern edge where the warming effect of the Gulf stream is strongest (read more).

In no particular order...

L'Espace Killy is often regarded as having the most reliable snow in the Alps, primarily due to the extent of high altitude skiing (60% of its 300km of slopes are above 2500m).

Although it's on the northern side of the Alps, its proximity to the Italian border means that snow can also arrive from the south-east, a privilege not extended to other nearby mega-resorts such as Courchevel or La Plagne. Throw in a couple of glaciers and nowhere else in Europe can offer such a variety of snow sure slopes for such a long season.

* Val d'Isère re-opens its glacier from mid-June for about six weeks. Tignes reopens its glacier from late June for about eight weeks, then again from late September through to the main season. Tignes also extends its main season for one week longer than Val d'Isère in May.

Looking for hotels in Val d'Isère?  Click here

Looking for hotels in Tignes?  Click here

Few resorts can rival Val Thorens for its reliably good snow-cover. 

Not only is it the highest resort in Europe, but its slopes reach 3200m and include two small glaciers. Add to that plenty of shady north-facing terrain and comprehensive snow-making facilities and it's easy to see why it is one of the safest bets in the Alps.

Looking for hotels in Val Thorens?  Click here

Despite the westerly aspect of its main slopes (they get a lot of afternoon sun) Cervinia is comfortably the most snow-sure of the major Italian resorts.

Height is key. The village sits at 2050m with slopes reaching 3450m (3820m if you count Zermatt). Nowhere else in Italy comes close to offering this extent of high altitude terrain. Nor, if you include Zermatt, does anywhere else in Italy offer such extensive glacial terrain.

Looking for hotels in Cervinia?  Click here

If the limited extent of the slopes doesn’t bother you, then few resorts offer greater snow reliability than Saas-Fee.

Granted, this corner of Switzerland is rather dry, but with most of the slopes between 2500 and 3500m, its average skiing height is unrivalled in the Alps. It also boasts one of Europe’s finest glaciers.

*Glacier skiing is available from mid-July right through to the main winter season.

Looking for hotels in Saas-Fee?  Click here

Arguably the most snow-sure non-glacial resort in the Alps, Obergurgl has an unusually long season.

Its altitude is exceptional by Austrian standards, many of its slopes face north or north-west and the resort claims 100% artificial coverage.

Looking for hotels in Obergurgl?  Click here

We would normally consider glaciers too limited in extent to warrant a Top 10 entry. However, not only does Hintertux have one of the best glaciers in the Alps, but it also has some additional non-glacial terrain which is also high, shady and very reliable for snow.

It still doesn't add up to a huge amount of skiing, but if you were hedging your bets (at any time of year) Hintertux might be the place to do it.

Looking for hotels in Hintertux?  Click here

Ischgl does not have a glacier, but it does have the greatest extent of high altitude skiing in Austria - more than 80% of its 238km of pistes are above 2000m.

Aided by excellent snow-making, Ischgl also has one of the longest seasons in the Alps, and snow conditions are highly reliable.

Looking for hotels in Ischgl?  Click here

Andermatt has a big reputation for snow that few Alpine ski resorts can rival. Key to this is the way it benefits from storms arriving from different directions. The resort is equally likely to get dumped on from the north, the west or the south, and is therefore an excellent place to hedge your bets.

The main Gemsstock mountain is also high and shady, so the snow that does fall sticks around, and is often in good condition.

Looking for hotels in Andermatt?  Click here

The slopes in Lech and Zürs do not reach glacial heights, but do share the snowiest major ski area in the Alps.

Grooming and snow-making are also excellent, so snow conditions are very reliable. 

Looking for hotels in Lech - Zürs?  Click here

Sölden boasts not one but two high quality glaciers that guarantee good snow throughout a long season.

Even outside these glaciers the average skiing height is good by Austrian standards, and snow cover is very reliable.

Looking for hotels in Sölden?  Click here

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