Latest Snow Report
Snow conditions in the Alps remain variable but with plenty of good piste skiing on offer, even in areas that have very little snow. The best snow conditions right now are generally in the western Alps, which saw the biggest snowfalls last week, with upwards of 1m in parts of France.
Snow cover in the French Alps is not far off normal for the middle of January, at altitude at least, with resorts like Les Arcs, La Clusaz and Flaine all having more than 200cm of settled snow up top. However, there do remain big differences from region to region.
In Switzerland, just about everywhere has below average snow depths, although the far west (e.g. Portes du Soleil) is not too far off average, at least higher up. The south-east of Switzerland (e.g. St Moritz), by contrast, has very poor snow cover for mid-January.
Snow depths in Austria are also universally below average with very meagre snow cover in some central and southern regions like the Osttirol. Resorts in the far west (e.g. Lech, Warth, St Anton) have more impressive snow depths though they are still below average.
Most Italian resorts also have below average snow cover, especially in the central and eastern Italian Alps (e.g. Dolomites) where there is very little natural snow right now. Snow cover is more “normal” in the west (e.g. Cervinia, La Thuile, Prato Nevoso). However, it is very important to note that the quality of skiing is only very loosely correlated to the quantity of snow and that, on-piste at least, you can still experience good snow conditions with very little snow. Nowhere is this truer than in the Dolomites where the snowmaking and piste management is so good that it virtually guarantees good piste skiing conditions even in times of serious snow drought.
That said, the best overall snow conditions right now are at altitude in the western Alps, especially in France. This is also where the greatest off-piste potential lies BUT always take a qualified local guide as the avalanche risk remains considerable.
As for the weather and snow forecast, there will be some significant snow for the far south-western Alps over the next few days, especially in the southern Piemonte (e.g. Prato Nevoso, Limone Piemonte) but, for most of the Alps, it will remain dry with the best of any sunshine the further north-east you are.
Away from the Alps, the Pyrenees deserve a special mention as they are having a much better season than in recent years, with another big dump on its way, at least in the east.
Across the pond, Colorado is having a rough time with many resorts experiencing their lowest snow levels for mid-January in recent history. Resorts in Western Canada remain the best bet in North America for now …
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