Industry News
The European Alps have had more snow in the south, with many resorts forced to close due to high avalanche danger after seeing 1-1.5 meters (3-5 feet) of snow in just a couple of days. The most snowfall has been along the Italian-Swiss border, while French resorts barely saw any precipitation with just a couple of centimeters falling last week and above-freezing temperatures compressing the existing snow cover.
Saas Fee in Switzerland almost made the list this week, having reached 4 meters 13 feet) of snowdepth now after receiving 132 cm (52 inches) of snowfall in the last five days. With more snow in the forecast, Saas Fee will be the place to go for powder if you are planning to ski in March. Please note though that the avalanche danger is very high right now. Saas Fee had a fatal inbound avalanche on the weekend despite controlled detonations for avalanche prevention by the resort. Avalanche risk remains elevated across the Alps, even in resorts with little snowfall due to the warm temperatures.
Which resorts have the most snow right now? Here is the top 7 for the European Alps:
*Please note, snow depths are self-reported by resorts and not verified by a third party.
Equal #6 Flaine/Le Grand Massif, France
Le Grand Massif in France is still in the top 7 this week but lost 10 cm (4 inches) of snowdepth after a warm week, taking its snowdepth to now 4.1 meters (13 feet). Le Grand Massif is located in the Haute-Savoie region and is one of France’s largest interconnected ski areas. The resort faces the famous Mont Blanc and boasts 152 ski runs for beginners and experts alike, serviced by 64 modern ski lifts.
- Snowdepth at peak: 410 cm (161 inches)
- Runs open: 124/152
- Lifts operating: 55/64
Equal #6 Les Deux Alpes, France
New in the ranks is Les Deux Alpes in France with 4.1 meters (13 feet) of snowdepth. The resort is located in the Isère region, 44 miles from Grenoble and is home to Europe’s largest skiable glacier. The resort offers 220 km (137 miles) of groomed runs and 2,300 m (7,546 feet) of vertical.
- Snowdepth at peak: 410 cm (161 inches)
- Runs open: 75/82
- Lifts operating: 38/39
#5 Peisy Vallandry/Paradiski, France
Peisy Vallandry is part of the Paradiski area which now has 4.15 meters (14 feet) of snowdepth at Grand Col. The French resort is connected with La Plagne and Les Arcs and together forms the Paradiski ski area, the second largest interconnected ski area in the world with 265 miles (425km) of groomed runs serviced by 53 lifts and cable cars, including a two-level cable car that fits 200 people.
- Snowdepth at peak: 415 cm (164 inches)
- Runs open: 112/121
- Lifts operating: 51/53
Equal #3 Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France
Chamonix Mont-Blanc has gained 30 cm (12 inches) from last week, now with 4.2 meters (14 feet) of snowdepth at peak, bumping it from 6th to equal 3rd this week. France has been unseasonably warm temperatures, so runs at lower altitudes are overdue for a top up, but the snow cover at peak has maintained well.
- Snowdepth at peak: 420 cm (165 inches)
- Runs open: 90/120
- Lifts operating: 70/81
Equal #3 Flims Laax Falera, Switzerland
Thanks to the big snowfalls in Switzerland’s east, resorts in Graubünden have moved up the ranks, including Flims Laax Falera. Flims Laax has 4.2 meters (14 feet) of snow depth at its glacier, up 8 cm (3 inches) from last week and it is forecast to keep snowing for the next few days. Flims Laax is typicaly open until mid-April, so it’s not too late to plan a ski trip
- Snowdepth at peak: 420 cm (165 inches)
- Runs open: 111/224 km (69/140 miles)
- Lifts operating: 25/28
#2 Avoriaz/Portes du Soleil, France
Avoriaz in France remains in second place for the second week in a row after a top up from last week by 5 cm (2 inches) taking its current snowdepth to 4.5 meters (15 feet). Avoriaz is part of the Portes du Soleil ski area. Portes du Soleil ski area offers 600 km (375 miles) of slopes to across France and Switzerland. Avoriaz itself has 51 slopes services by 35 ski lifts. Avoriaz will host a banked slalom this coming Sunday, March 3.
- Snowdepth at peak: 450 cm (177 inches)
- Runs open: 38/51
- Lifts operating: 33/35
#1 Alpe d’Huez, France
Still topping the list is Alpe d’Huez in France with 4.8 meters (16 feet), down 20 cm (8 inches) from last week. The highest peak in the Alpe d’Huez ski area in France is the Pic Blanc, reaching an altitude of 3,330 meters (10,925 feet). The ski run from Pic Blanc is the longest black run in Europe, called Sarenne, which is 16 kilometers (10 miles) long. Ski lifts at Alpe d’Huez will stay open until April 21, 2024.
- Snowdepth at peak: 480 cm (189 inches)
- Runs open: 88/160
- Lifts operating: 72/91
