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Snow conditions in the Alps are very mixed right now. Last night a weather front brought 10-25cm of fresh snow above 1400m to some north-western parts of the Alps (e.g. Flaine, Avoriaz, Verbier), which has helped freshen up the slopes.
At this time of year, however, the benefit of such snowfalls is usually transient, and spring snow conditions are generally dominant at lower altitudes. That said, temperatures have not been especially warm for March, meaning that freeze-thaw cycles have not been extreme, and you can still find plenty of firm snow higher up, especially on north-facing slopes.
Another, more powerful storm will hit the western Alps on Friday night/Saturday with the prospect of some extreme snowfalls in parts of the eastern Aosta (e.g. Cervinia), northern Piemonte (e.g. Alagna) and Upper Valais (e.g. Zermatt, Saas-Fee), which could see in the region of 50-100cm in just 24 hours or so.
Elsewhere in the western Alps, most regions will see 10-30cm this weekend. Snowfalls will generally be lighter and more sporadic the further east you are.
In short, the best snow conditions as we approach easter are likely to be in the higher resorts of the western Alps.
Across the pond, the Banff-Lake Louise ski area is offering some of the best snow conditions in North America…
Spring snow conditions continue to rule in the lower Austrian ski resorts like Seefeld (20/65cm) and Zell am See (20/80cm), with rock-hard pistes early in the morning followed by plenty of slush later in the day.
You can still find some good snow if you follow the sun during the day but, for more consistent conditions, you really need to be in resorts with plenty of terrain above 2000m, like Obergurgl (75/105cm) or Ischgl (150/150cm).
Some new snow is expected in the western Austrian Alps over the weekend, but not as much as will be seen in the western and south-western Alps.
Good piste conditions in Lech in the Austrian Arlberg but snow depths are generally below where they should be for this time of year – 12 March 2026 – Photo: lechzuers.com
The northern French Alps saw some new snow on Wednesday night which has helped freshen things up above 1400m in the likes of Megève (55/125cm) and La Clusaz (30/270cm). On the whole, though, spring snow conditions have been prevalent in these lower resorts, especially lower down, with only the higher north-facing slopes remaining firm all day.
For more consistently firm snow you need to be in a resort with plenty of terrain above 1800-2000m, such as La Plagne (165/255cm) or Val Thorens (195/255cm).
Heavy snow is forecast in most French resorts over the weekend, and to quite low levels in places. This will again lead to a temporary improvement in snow conditions at lower altitudes (with the improvement lasting longer at higher altitudes) before more spring-like weather reasserts itself next week.
Nice skiing today in Les Gets where there was a top-up of snow on Wednesday night – Photo: lesgets.com, 12 March 2026
Spring snow conditions have been prevalent in many lower ski resorts, including in the Dolomites where natural snow cover is a bit patchy in places.
There is still some enjoyable piste-skiing on offer in the likes of Selva (60/90cm) though, especially if you follow the sun around the slopes. For more consistent snow conditions, you need to be higher ski areas, like Cervinia (70/140cm) or La Thuile (70/320cm).
Significant snow is forecast in many central and western Italian resorts on Saturday with 50-100cm possible in Cervinia, the Monte Rosa region and some smaller nearby resorts.
Excellent snow cover still in the southern Piemonte resort of Prato Nevoso – 12 March 2026 – Photo: pratonevoso.com
Snow conditions remain variable across the Swiss Alps, with spring conditions and patchy natural cover lower down in the likes of Adelboden (0/110cm) and Gstaad (5/70cm), though you can still find plenty of enjoyable piste skiing.
Higher up, there is more in the way of “wintry” snow in resorts like Zermatt (20/105cm) and Verbier (35/235cm) though, even here, snow depths are considerably below average, as they have been for most of the season.
Significant snow is forecast in parts of Switzerland this weekend, especially around Zermatt and Saas-Fee (45/255cm), where 50-100cm is possible at altitude.
A few centimetres of fresh snow have freshened up the pistes in Engelberg today – 12 March 2026 – Photo: titlis.ch
The Pyrenees may have lost a lot of snow during the warmer weather in recent weeks, but snow depths at altitude remain very impressive, with plenty of good skiing possible in Andorra’s Grandvalira (230/310cm) and France’s La Mongie (120/130cm). What’s more, there is more snow forecast for the Pyrenees this weekend!
It’s still looking wintry across many Scandinavian resorts too, with good coverage and excellent pistes still in Norway’s Hemsedal (75/90cm) and Sweden’s Åre (65/116cm).
Natural snow cover is patchy in the Scottish ski areas, but some skiing has still been possible, with fresh snow back on the menu over the next few days, especially in the west (e.g. Glencoe). As always, check the status for any particular ski area on any given day, as they can be closed for weather or operational/commercial reasons.
Still looking wintry in Norway’s Hemsedal – 12 March 2026 – Photo: skistar.com
Fresh snow has improved conditions across many western US resorts, including Colorado’s Breckenridge (115cm mid-mountain base), although snow depths here remain below par.
Over in Utah, Snowbird (233cm mid-mountain base) has seen around 70cm of new snow this week but is warming up again, so expect spring snow conditions here in the coming days.
A little fresh snow has been freshening things up in Whistler (233cm mid-mountain base) and, with more significant snow forecast early next week, conditions are looking good for mid-March.
Snow conditions are also good further inland, where Lake Louise (165/210cm) saw around 20cm of snow last night and will remain cold, with further flurries in the forecast over the next few days.
Excellent snow conditions thanks to fresh snow in Lake Louise – 12 March 2026 – Photo: skilouise.com
Our next full snow report will be on
Thursday 19 March 2026
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