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Snow conditions in the Alps are generally ok for mid-December, but nothing like as good as they were in many regions just a couple of weeks ago.
There are several reasons why: the first being that it hasn’t snowed a great deal for at least a couple of weeks now, and, while there was some snow at altitude last weekend, many northern and western parts of the Alps saw rain lower down. Since then, it has also been much milder, with freezing levels reaching 3000m at times this week.
As a result, snow depths in most parts of the Alps are now significantly below average for mid-December, and only close to or fractionally above average in parts of the north-west (e.g. Avoriaz) and the far south-west (e.g. Isola 2000).
Some new snow may fall in the south-western Alps early next week, otherwise the dry and mild weather is set to continue for most regions – possibly until Christmas and beyond.
Across the pond, western Canada and the eastern US are leading the way…
Snow depths in Austria are now universally below average with no significant snow in the forecast some time to come.
That said, there is still lots of good skiing on offer, even in lower areas like Saalbach (5/70cm) and the Ski Welt (30/50cm).
For the best overall snow conditions, you should aim for higher ski areas, such as Obertauern (20/50cm) or Obergurgl (25/50cm), even if there is little difference in snow depths between the higher and lower ski resorts.
The lack of recent snow is starting to show in some lower Austrian ski resorts, including here in St Johann in Tirol – 12 December 2025 – Photo: foto-webcam.eu
On the whole, snow conditions in the French Alps remain good for the time of year despite the recent snow drought, thanks to the big storms in late November.
Weather to ski has been in Flaine (30/155cm) this week, where the slopes are hard-packed but not icy, and there is some enjoyable piste-skiing to be had.
Other parts of the Grand Massif are due to open tomorrow, with plenty of snow in the higher parts of the region, but some worn or bare areas very low down (e.g. towards Morillon 1100).
Over in the Portes du Soleil it’s a similar story, with plenty of snow higher up, still some snow lower down, but looking a bit threadbare or worn in places including in Les Gets (15/40cm), where we are now.
The very best snow conditions in the French Alps are in the highest ski resorts, like Val d’Isère (55/95cm) and Les 2 Alpes (20/180cm). Further south, there is also good early season skiing on offer in Isola 2000 (50/65cm), one of the few places that has seen significant snowfall in December.
Some snow is possible in the far southern French Alps early next week, otherwise most places will remain dry for the next week, or longer.
Still lots of snow in the main Flaine bowl with great piste-skiing from top to bottom – Photo: weathertoski.co.uk, 11 December 2025
Most Italian ski resorts currently have below average snow depths but are still offering good piste-skiing – partly because they have some of the best snowmaking, but also because they avoided much of last weekend’s rain.
One of the few areas where snow depths are more normal or even a little above average, is the far north-west, where Courmayeur (25/75cm) has decent top to bottom snow coverage. The far south-western resort of Limone Piemonte (30/60cm) also has reasonable depths and is skiing well.
For the most part though, snowmaking has been instrumental in providing a solid early base in the Italian ski resorts – as it often is in the Dolomites, including Alta Badia (30/35cm), where most pistes are open and in good condition.
Good early season snow conditions in the far south-western Alps. This is Limone Piemonte – 12 December 2025 – Photo: bergfex.com
Most Swiss ski resorts now have considerably below average snow depths for the time of year, especially in the south and east. Arosa, for example, has a modest 30/40cm of settled snow depending on altitude, while St Moritz has just 15/65cm. You can still find good piste-skiing in both areas though.
Snow depths are more impressive and closer to average (and even a little above in places) in the north-western Swiss Alps, in resorts like Les Crosets (70/120cm) in the Portes du Soleil, and Mürren (25/90cm) in the Bernese Oberland.
A few centimetres of fresh snow may fall in the far south of Switzerland early next week, otherwise for most Swiss ski resorts, the wait for the next big dump continues.
Pretty solid snow conditions for mid-December in Verbier – 12 December 2025 – Photo: verbier.ch
Skiing is underway in many ski resorts in the Pyrenees, with snow conditions similar in some ways to those in the Alps, in that snow depths are generally on the modest side but still with plenty of enjoyable skiing on offer, especially on-piste. As is often the case, Spain’s Baqueira Beret has some of the best snow conditions, with base depths of 45/75cm.
Lots of ski areas are open across Scandinavia though all still on a limited basis. Among the better bets right now is Sweden’s Åre (25/35cm) where new snow today is rapidly improving conditions.
Snow conditions in Scotland no longer support skiing – which was briefly possible in Cairngorm in late November/early December.
Decent early season piste-skiing in Andorra’s Grandvalira area – 12 December 2025 – Photo: grandvalira.com
Most western US ski resorts continue to have considerably below par snow depths, despite some welcome snow in many resorts last week.
You can still find some good piste-skiing in Aspen, for example, but the mid-mountain base depths are a modest 30cm and more snow is needed to open the whole ski area.
In Utah, Snowbird (60cm mid-mountain base) also has below par snow conditions, with no snow forecast over the next few days.
We don’t usually mention the eastern US, but this is where all the snow is in the US right now, with snow depths above average in all ski resorts, including Jay Peak where the upper base is a very impressive 140cm deep.
More snow would be welcome in Jackson Hole, Wyoming – 12 December 2025 – Photo: jacksonhole.com
Snow conditions are generally better in the western Canadian ski areas than in the US.
Whistler (100cm upper base) has seen 50cm of snow in the last week and has a lot more forecast over the next few days.
Further inland, Lake Louise (120cm upper base) is also boasting excellent early season snow conditions.
Our next full snow report will be on
Friday 19 December 2025
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