Industry News
Conditions across the European Alps were dry last week, meaning existing snow cover has compacted in most places. Our top 7 list of resorts this week is actually a top 8 since we have a three-way-tie for sixth place. The list is still heavily dominated by French resorts. This may change going forward if the weather moves in.
Which resorts have the most snow right now? Here is the top 7 for the European Alps:
Equal #6 Avoriaz/Portes du Soleil, France
The picturesque village of Avoriaz in France has entered our top 7 for the first time this week. The resort of Avoriaz gives access to the Porte de Soleil ski area which covers 600 km of slopes to across France and Switzerland. Avoriaz itself has 51 slopes services by 35 ski lifts. The resort had a dusting of snow on February 1.
- Snowdepth at peak: 360 cm (142 inches)
- Runs open: 43/51
- Lifts operating: 33/35
Equal #6 Kaunertal Glacier, Austria
Snowdepth at the Kaunertal Glacier in the Austrian state of Tyrol is also at 360 cm (142 inches) at peak. The ski area offers 61km (38 miles) of groomed runs and features a glacier area that boasts three runs of more than 3,000 feet of vertical. The Kaunertal Glacier is home to the Black Ibex run, Austria’s steepest black slope with 41.3° or 87.85% gradient.
- Snowdepth at peak: 360 cm (142 inches)
- Runs open: 27/31
- Lifts operating: 12/14
Equal #6 Flims Laax Falera, Switzerland
Flims Laax Falera in Switzerland is the third resort with 360 cm (142 inches) of snow, tying with Avoriaz and Kaunertal. Switzerland saw some dustings of snow last week, with
- Snowdepth at peak: 360 cm (142 inches)
- Runs open: 117/224 km (73/140 miles)
- Lifts operating: 28/28
#5 Grande Motte Glacier/Tignes-Val d’Isère, L’Espace Killy, France
The Grande Motte Glacier at Tignes is situated at 3,032 meters (9,948 feet) and is recording 380 cm (149 inches) of snow, unchanged from last week. Considering the warm weather over the last week in France, it may have compacted more than the resort reports. Together with Val d’Isère, the resort is known as Espace Killy, after French ski racer Jean-Claude Killy, and boasts 160 runs stretching across 300km.
- Snowdepth at peak: 380 cm (149 inches)
- Runs open: 155/160
- Lifts operating: 70/72
#4 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 ski areas. The resort faces the famous Mont Blanc and boasts 151 ski runs for beginners and experts alike, serviced by 64 modern ski lifts. Le Grand Massif’s snowdepth has compacted 5 cm (2 inches) since last week.
- Snowdepth at peak: 400 cm (157 inches)
- Runs open: 118/151
- Lifts operating: 57/64
#3 Les Arcs Aiguille Rouge/Paradiski, France
Les Arcs, France, has seen its snowdepth compress by 5cm (2 inches) as well from last week. The French resort is connected with La Plagne and Peisy Vallandry 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. The highest snowdepth can be found at Aiguille Rouge.
- Snowdepth at peak: 405 cm (159 inches)
- Runs open: 109/121
- Lifts operating: 51/53
#2 Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France
Chamonix Mont-Blanc is still measuring 4.1 meters (13.5 feet) of snowdepth according to its website. Considering snowdepth at Pic Blanc in Alpe d’Huez has compressed by more than half a meter over the last two weeks and Chamonix has not seen snowfall in two weeks according to its own reporting, one has to wonder whether this measurement is still accurate. As we all know, FIS races at Chamonix had to be canceled due to the warm weather last week, so be prepared for possible less snowdepth in lower areas.
- Snowdepth at peak: 410 cm (161 inches)
- Runs open: 99/120
- Lifts operating: 72/81
#1 Alpe d’Huez, France
The highest peak in the Alpe d’Huez ski area in France is the Pic Blanc with 3,330 meters (10,925 feet), which has recorded the most snow for the last two weeks. Snowdepth at the Pic Blanc has compacted down to 4.5 meters from peak. From the peak you can ski/board the longest black run in Europe, the world famous Sarenne, which is 16 kilometers (10 miles) long. The combined ski area of Alpe d’Huez offers 248 kilometers of marked pistes serviced by 91 lifts.
- Snowdepth at peak: 450 cm (177 inches)
- Runs open: 125/159
- Lifts operating: 82/91
