Industry News
After some solid snowfall last week, ski resorts across the Alps saw smaller top-ups in recent days, keeping conditions fresh on the slopes.
It has been a very French week in terms of snowdepth rankings, with six of the top seven spots occupied by French resorts. The only exception is a lone Swiss contender, highlighting the dominance of France when it comes to deep snowpacks right now.
Please note that snowdepth is self-reported by resorts and has not been independently verified.
#7 Melchsee-Frutt, Switzerland
The Swiss ski resort Melchsee-Frutt is located 1.5 hours south of Zurich, just a mountain range across from Engelberg. The idyllic, family-friendly resort village is located at 1,920 meters (6,230 feet) elevation. The Melchsee-Frutt village can only be reached by tramway during the winter months. The summer access road is transformed into one of Switzerland’s longest sled-runs during the winter months.
- Snowdepth at peak: 240 cm (94 inches)
- Runs open: 35/36 km (22/23 miles)
- Lifts operating: 10/11
#6 Alpe d’Huez, France
Alpe d’Huez in France is one of the most picturesque European ski resorts. 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.
- Snowdepth at peak: 265 cm (104 inches)
- Runs open: 129/142
- Lifts operating: 62/65
#5 Meribel/Les 3 Vallées
The world’s largest ski area, Les 3 Vallées, is reporting 210 cm at its most beautiful ski resort, Meribel. Together with Courchevel, Val Thorens, and Les Menuires it makes up the ski area of Les Trois Vallées (or Three Valleys). The combined ski area offers a total of 600 km (373 miles) of groomed ski runs serviced by a total of 162 lifts.
- Snowdepth at peak: 270 cm (106 inches)
- Runs open: 70/70
- Lifts operating: 43/43
#4 Les Arcs/Paradiski, France
Les Arcs, France, is in fourth place this week with 2.8 meters (9.2 feet) of snow depth. 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.
- Snowdepth at peak: 280 cm (110 inches)
- Runs open: 238/262
- Lifts operating: 49/53
Equal #2 Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France
Chamonix Mont-Blanc is probably one of Europe’s most famous ski areas. Chamonix is one of the best European resorts for expert riders. Riding or skiing down Mont-Blanc should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list.
- Snowdepth at peak: 300 cm (118 inches)
- Runs open: 115/120
- Lifts operating: 75/81
Equal #2 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.
- Snowdepth at peak: 300 cm (118 inches)
- Runs open: 140/151
- Lifts operating: 53/64
#1 Montriond-Avoriaz/Portes du Soleil, France
Montriond-Avoriaz in the Portes du Soleil ski area in France is claiming the #1 spot this week. Portes du Soleil consists of in total 12 resorts, with Montriond-Avoriaz on the French side together with Morzine and Les Gets while on the Swiss side you have Morgins and Champery.
- Snowdepth at peak: 322 cm (127 inches)
- Runs open: 49/51
- Lifts operating: 33/35
