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Snow conditions in the Alps are variable as we approach the festive season. For most of the Alps snow depths are considerably below average for mid-December, with two main exceptions.
The first is the south-western Alps, where recent snowfall has left some resorts in excellent condition, especially the southern Piemonte areas of Prato Nevoso and Limone Piemonte where at least 50cm of snow fell this week. Other resorts that have benefited, albeit not in quite the same quantities, are the Monte Rosa region, especially in the east (e.g. Alagna), the Milky Way (e.g. Sestriere), and Auron and Isola 2000 in the southern French Alps. These areas have average or slightly above average snow depths for the time of year, the freshest snow and the prospect of more snow falling this weekend and early next week.
The only other part of the Alps that has even close to average snow depths is the north-west (e.g. Tignes, Avoriaz, Mürren and Courmayeur) although the bulk of their snow came in November, and their snow depths have gone from “exceptional” to just below average in the space of 3 to 4 weeks.
Across the rest of the Alps, snow depths are considerably below average for mid-December, with the next storms again set to favour the south-west, with the northern half of the Alps likely to stay mostly dry for some time to come.
On a positive note, there doesn’t have to be a huge amount of snow for a ski resort to have good skiing on offer. Weather to ski has been in Flaine, Les Gets and Bettmeralp this week, all of which have been offering some perfectly enjoyable piste-skiing – generally firm and grippy, with minimal ice.
How the pistes cope with the increased skier traffic next week, and especially the week after, is another matter but, for now, there is still plenty of enjoyable piste-skiing on offer across the Alps.
Across the pond, the Lake Louise area is the place to be, with huge snowfalls this week…
Snow levels are considerably below par across all Austrian regions with little (if any) snow forecast in the next week.
There is still plenty of good piste-skiing on offer though, with Ischgl (20/50cm) still leading the way with 189km of pistes on offer, despite modest snow depths.
Many lower ski areas can also offer extensive skiing, including the Ski Welt (30/50cm), where 179km of runs are open but more snow would be welcome, with no sign of it any time soon.
Good piste-skiing in Turracher Höhe in the southern Austria Alps – 19 December 2025 – Photo: foto-webcam.eu
Most French ski resorts still have a reasonable amount of snow even if depths are generally now below par for mid-December.
The freshest snow and best overall conditions are in the far south-west of the French Alps, where Isola 2000 (60/75cm) picked up around 20-30cm of snow this week and is skiing as well as anywhere.
Further north, there hasn’t been any serious snow for some time, but snow cover is still good in Avoriaz (35/70cm) although more snow is needed in the lower areas of the Portes du Soleil.
Snow is forecast across the southern French Alps over the next few days, especially in the far south (e.g. Isola 2000), but the northern French Alps will largely miss out.
Plenty of snow in Isola 2000 in the southern French Alps, with more forecast this weekend – Photo: isola2000.com, 19 December 2025
The best snow conditions in the Italian Alps are in the far south-west, with settled snow depths of 50/80cm in Prato Nevoso, where lots more snow is expected over the weekend and into next week.
Most other Italian regions can still offer plenty of good piste-skiing but have considerably under par snow depths, including Cortina (5/30cm) and Livigno (10/40cm), neither of which are expected to see much (if any) snow over the next few days.
Good piste-skiing on offer in Madonna di Campiglio, despite very modest natural snow depths – 19 December 2025 – Photo: funiviecampiglio.it
Snow depths are generally way below average across the Swiss Alps but there is still plenty of good piste skiing offer.
Weather to ski has just returned from the Aletsch Arena (30/65cm) where the pistes were in great condition despite modest snow depths.
Further east, it is a similar story, with modest snow cover but good pistes in Arosa (35/45cm) and St Moritz (20/55cm), neither of which can offer any meaningful off-piste.
Some snow is forecast over the next few days in the far south of Switzerland (e.g. Zermatt, Saas-Fee), but most Swiss ski resorts are expected to stay dry.
Great skiing is still possible in the Aletsch Arena this week despite relatively modest snow depths – Photo: weathertoski.co.uk, 18 December 2025
There is a lot of good piste-skiing available at altitude in the Pyrenees although, as in the Alps, snow depths are generally unremarkable with 45/75cm in Spain’s Baqueira Beret and 15/60cm in Andorra’s Grandvalira. Some fresh snow is expected in both ski areas over the next few days, but not in any huge quantities.
Many resorts are now open across Scandinavia, but until now mostly on a very limited basis. More runs should open this weekend for the Christmas week, with Sweden’s Åre (25/40cm) currently offering around 40km of pistes, while Norway’s Trysil (20/30cm) has around 25km of pistes, both resorts having a mix of natural and man-made snow.
At the time of writing there is some snow at altitude in the Scottish ski areas but whether anywhere will have enough to open any runs this weekend remains to be seen.
Unremarkable snow depths but decent piste-skiing in Baqueira Beret in the Pyrenees – 19 December 2025 – Photo: baqueira.es
Snow conditions are generally quite poor across much of the western US, with ski like Vail (70cm upper base) and Snowbird (55cm upper base) only partially open and heavily reliant on natural snow.
Only some south-western ski resorts, like Arizona Snowbowl (70cm upper base), have reasonable natural snow cover, thanks to last week’s storms.
The best snow conditions in western Canada are currently in the interior, where Lake Louise (155cm upper base) has seen over 1m of new snow this week and is in fabulous condition.
Further west, snow conditions in Whistler (145cm upper base) continue to improve, with lots more snow and colder temperatures forecast over the next few days.
Fresh snow has improved conditions this week in Whistler – Photo: facebook.com/WhistlerBlackcomb, 16 December 2025
Our next full snow report will be on
Thursday 25 December 2025
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