Latest snow report

Updated: 5.45pm Friday 24 January 2025

Snow conditions in the Alps are a bit mixed, thanks to the continuing changeable weather and yo-yoing temperatures. As to snow depths, only the higher parts of the French and Swiss Alps (in both cases away from the far south) are close to where they should be for the time of year.

 

Just about everywhere else, including the Austrian Alps (except the far west – i.e. the Arlberg), the Italian Alps, the far southern French Alps and the far southern Swiss Alps are considerably below par, as are lower parts of the Alps more generally.

 

This doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty of good skiing on offer – there most certainly is, especially on-piste. However, more snow would be welcome, with some forecast over the next week, particularly at altitude and in the southern and western Alps.

 

It will never be cold for long though (a recurring theme in recent years), and dry, settled and very mild weather will likely return later next week, dominating the first few days of February.

 

Across the pond, the northern US Rockies (e.g. Big Sky) are offering the best snow conditions... 

Austria

Snow depths are generally below par in Austria, especially in the south where Bad Klein Kirchheim (5/55cm) has been heavily reliant on snow-making for much of this season.

 

Further north, there is more natural snow in Kitzbühel (10/85cm) albeit still in modest quantities. In both resorts, though, you can still find some enjoyable piste-skiing.

 

For the very best snow conditions in Austria, you need to aim higher, with good snow on offer in both Obertauern (100/150cm) in the east, and Zürs (90/105cm) in the far west. Some snow is forecast for Austrian resorts over the next few days, with the south set to do best. 

Mostly clear skies over St Johann in Tirol, with view from the mostly snow-covered slopes over the town in the valley below, to the mountains beyond – Weather to ski – Snow report, 24 January 2025 Still looking wintry in St Johann in Tirol even if snow depths are modest – 24 January 2025 – Photo: foto-webcam.eu

France

Snow conditions have been a bit mixed this week in the French Alps, with fresh snow for some but also highly variable temperatures and some rain lower down.

 

Not surprisingly, the very best snow conditions are currently in the highest resorts such as Tignes (122/170cm) and Val Thorens (140/190cm). Lower down, Morzine (30/160cm) doesn’t have much natural snow left at resort level, though pistes are still open and there is still some good skiing possible at altitude.

 

The southern French Alps are much improved after receiving the lion’s share of this week’s snowfall, with base depths in Risoul now 60/110cm, depending on altitude. More snow is forecast for many French resorts over the next few days, both in the north and south. 

View along a ski slope towards a ski lift and mountain building, with snow-covered mountains in the distance in Aussois, France – Weather to ski – Snow report, 24 January 2025 Decent skiing in the Maurienne valley today. This is Aussois – 24 January 2025 – Photo: aussois.com

Italy

The best of the snow conditions in Italy this week have been in its lesser-known resorts of Limone Piedmonte (40/65cm) and Prato Nevoso (40/60cm) in the far south-west, both of which have seen significant new snow after a very sparse early season.

 

Most other Italian resorts can still offer plenty of good piste-skiing but have snow depths below par for late January. In the west, Champoluc has base depths of 20/50cm while, further east, Selva has 60/85cm. Significant new snow is expected across the Italian Alps in the next few days. 

Blue skies and great snow conditions on the ski slopes of Limone Piedmonte, Italy, with view up the ski slopes from the base of ski lifts and skiers on the slopes – Weather to ski – Snow report, 24 January 2025 Great conditions right now in Limone in the southern Piedmonte, where they had heavy snowfalls earlier in the week – Photo: snoweye.com, 24 January 2025

Switzerland

Snow conditions are rather mixed across the Swiss Alps right now with generally below average snow depths, especially in the far south, where St Moritz has just 25/70cm depending on altitude.

 

That said there is still lots of good piste-skiing on offer here, as there is further north in Davos (40/80cm) and further west in Crans Montana (90/180cm), one of the few resorts closer to where it should be for late January.

 

Fresh snow is expected across many Swiss resorts over the next few days. 

Blue skies over snow-covered mountainside with panoramic mountain views in Torgon, Switzerland – Weather to ski – Snow report, 24 January 2025 Plenty of snow still in the Portes du Soleil, despite the yo-yoing temperatures this week. This is Torgon – 24 January 2025 – Photo: snoweye.com

Rest of Europe

Snow depths in the Pyrenees are below par for the time of year, but you can still find plenty of decent on-piste skiing in the higher resorts like Spain’s Baqueira Beret (40/70cm) and Andorra’s Soldeu (50/85cm).

 

Many Scandinavian ski resorts have seen new snow in the last few days. Base depths remain modest in Norway’s Oppdal (30/50cm), however, the new snow has improved the quality of the skiing. In Sweden, Åre has also seen improving conditions on a 45cm mid-mountain base.

 

Scottish ski resorts haven’t seen much skiing yet this season but are stormbound today, with blizzards at altitude. There is therefore some hope of some proper action soon here, at least once the weather has calmed down and the situation has been assessed.  

Strong winds blowing the button lifts on the drag-lifts in Glencoe, Scotland during heavy snowfall – Weather to ski – Snow report, 24 January 2025 Hurricane-force winds and heavy snow showers in Glencoe today – 24 January 2025 – Photo: winterhighland.info

USA

In the US, Northern Rockies resorts like Big Sky (110cm mid-mountain base) are skiing well right now thanks to a good early start to the season followed by further significant falls in January.

 

The northern Colorado resorts like Copper Mountain (135cm mid-mountain base) are also in good shape, but California ski resorts haven’t seen any snow for nearly three weeks now. Mammoth (131cm mid-mountain base depths) is still offering plenty of good piste-skiing, but more snow would clearly be welcome. 

Canada

Whistler (161cm mid-mountain base) hasn’t seen much snow in January after what was a very strong early season. There is still lots of good skiing to be had, especially on-piste, though more snow would be welcome.

 

Some of the best skiing in Canada is currently in the BC interior, where Revelstoke (170cm mid-mountain base) has had more snow than most this month and is offering consistently good skiing conditions, both on and off-piste. 

View of snow-covered base station and chairs of a ski lift in Whister, Canada – Weather to ski – Snow report, 24 January 2025 Plenty of snow still in Whistler – 24 January 2025 – Photo: facebook.com/WhistlerBlackcomb

Our next full snow report will be on
Friday 31 January 2025