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Snowfall averages can be fun to compare but should be treated with caution, especially in Europe. This is partly because most alpine readings are taken at resort level and are not always representative of conditions higher up. (Some Alpine resorts have vertical drops of over 2000m).

On average, North American resorts have smaller vertical drops, and most readings are taken up the mountain in areas that are more representative of the ski area as a whole. 

That aside, snowfall is only one part of the complex snow quality equation. You only have to look at our “Top 10 snowiest ski resorts" in Europe to see that only two of them actually make our Top 10 snow-sure ski resorts in Europe.  

Why? Most of the snowiest ski resorts in the Alps are close to the northern foothills, and are more vulnerable to the warming influence of the Atlantic. Obergurgl, for example, gets less than half the snowfall of Warth-Schröcken, but offers more consistent snow quality due to its superior altitude, and more sheltered position set deep within the Alps. 

Warth and Schröcken share the snowiest ski area in Europe, with a seasonal average of 10.5m. Other nearby villages are also super-snowy, such as Damüls, which gets over 9m a season and markets itself as the "snowiest village in the world".

Whichever village comes out top, there is no doubt that this little corner of Austria is the snowiest region in the Alps.

Looking for hotels in Warth-Schröcken?  Click here

Lech and Zürs share the snowiest major ski area in Europe. Lech averages well over 7m a season, while Zürs sees around 10m – more than twice that of nearby St Anton.

Nearby Stuben (technically part of the St Anton area) is also at least as snowy as Lech.

Looking for hotels in Lech-Zürs?  Click here

With a snowfall average of well over 9m, Damüls vies with Warth-Schröcken for the title of snowiest village in the Alps.

In 2005 it even declared itself the snowiest village in the world, but this was based on just seven years of data and longer term figures suggest that both Zürs and Warth-Schröcken are marginally ahead.  

The tiny resort of Braunwald south-east of Zurich has an exceptional snowfall average of nearly 9m, more than any other Swiss ski resort.

Not far away, the equally tiny resort of Stoos is almost as snowy.

Long term records reveal a snowfall average in Obertauern of nearly 8m.

This has slipped a little in recent decades, but Obertauern remains far and away Austria's snowiest ski resort outside the Vorarlberg region (Lech/Zürs, Warth-Schröcken).

Looking for hotels in Obertauern?  Click here

With a seasonal snowfall average of nearly 8m, Avoriaz is comfortably the snowiest ski resort in France. At resort level nowhere else even comes close.

Looking for accommodation in Avoriaz?  Click here

With an average snowfall of 6.4m a season, La Rosière is the snowiest ski resort in the Tarentaise. This is explained by its exposed position perpendicular to storms funnelling up the valley from the west.

Most high Swiss ski resorts (such as St Moritz and Saas-Fee) are in the relatively dry southern Swiss Alps.

Arosa is one of the few high resorts that is in the wetter "north" (albeit only just) and is the snowiest major resort in Switzerland, with a seasonal average of 6.2m.

Like neighbouring Val d'Isere, Tignes can get significant snow from storms of both Atlantic and Mediterranean origin. This gives it the edge on snowfall over nearby resorts of similar height (Arc 2000, La Plagne) with a seasonal average of 6.2m.

Looking for hotels in Tignes?  Click here

Given its height, snowfall is not exceptional in Val Thorens, but with a seasonal average of about 6m, it is still snowy enough to squeeze into our Top 10.

Looking for hotels in Val Thorens?  Click here

Note:  Snowfall figures above relate to November to April inclusive.

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