Industry News
The European Alps have been experiencing one of the best starts to the season in a long time. If you’re wondering which resorts have the deepest snowpack* right now, here are the top seven ski resorts for snowdepth (we have a tie this week for sixth place).
*Please note, snow depths are self-reported by resorts and not verified by a third party.
Equal #6 Oberstdorf/Kleinwalsertal, Germany/Austria
The ski area of Oberstdorf-Kleinwalsertal is situated in a mountainous region between Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, and Austria. The town of Oberstdorf, Germany, is located in the state of Bavaria, about 2.5 hours southwest of Munich, close to the Austrian border. Most of the Kleinwalsertal ski area is located in Austria, but the entire region is only accessible by car from Germany.
- Snowdepth at peak: 295 cm (116 inches)
- Runs open: 100/130km (62.5/81.25 miles)
- Lifts operating: 41/48
Equal #6 Espace San Bernardo, Italy/France
The Espace San Bernardo ski area, which is situated at the French-Italian border, consists of La Thuile in Italy and La Rosière in France. The combined ski area offers 7,400 acres of skiing across 100 miles (160km) of groomed runs. The resort is serviced by one cable car and 37 lifts and has great training facilities for athletes, such as slalom areas, terrain parks, a boarder-cross slope, fun cross areas, a snowkite area, and kids’ games parks.
- Snowdepth at peak: 295 cm (116 inches)
- Runs open: 58/80
- Lifts operating: 33/38
#5 Sölden, Austria
Sölden is probably one of Austria’s most famous ski resorts. It has two glacier ski area, the Rettenbach glacier and the Tiefenbach glacier with wide runs and spectacular views. The Rettenbach Glacier is home to a famous FIS Alpine World Cup race.
- Snowdepth at peak: 298.5 cm (117.5 inches)
- Runs open: 140.1/143.4 km (87.6/89.6 miles)
- Lifts operating: 28/31
#4 Lauchernalp/Lötschental, Switzerland
Lauchernalp/Lötschental in the Swiss canton Valais was leading the list last week but snow depth has compacted since then. It is a medium-sized resort near the Aletsch Glacie with 41 km (26 miles) of groomed runs. There is no road access to the village in winter, it is only reachable by tram way.
- Snowdepth at peak: 300 cm (118 inches)
- Runs open: 11/12
- Lifts operating: 7/7
#3 Flaine/Le Grand Massif, France
Le Grand Massif in France is located in the Haute-Savoie region and is one of France’s largest interconnected skia areas. The resort faces the famous Mont Blanc and boasts 139 ski runs for beginners and experts alike, serviced by 62 modern ski lifts.
- Snowdepth at peak: 320 cm (126 inches)
- Runs open: 99/139
- Lifts operating: 30/67
#2 Les Arcs, France
Les Arcs in France is located about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Albertville, host of the 1992 Winter Olympics. The resort is in the heart of the French Alps and offers a vast 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: 330 cm (130 inches)
- Runs open: 104/121
- Lifts operating: 47/53
#1 St. Anton am Arlberg/Arlberg Ski Area, Austria
The recent two storm fronts across the Alps brought a ton of snow to Tyrol, Austria. St. Anton, is part of the Arlberg ski area, which connects St. Anton with St. Christoph Lech, Zürs, Stuben, Schröcken, and Warth. The combined ski resort offers 302km (189 miles) of groomed runs serviced by 85 lifts and gondolas. It leads the list for most snow with 3.6m (12 feet) of snow depth at peak.
- Snowdepth at peak: 360 cm (142 inches)
- Runs open: 214/302 km (133/189 miles)
- Lifts operating: 75/85
