Industry News
Unfortunately snowfall in Europe has been minimal in the last couple of weeks, with some top-ups but no significant snow accumulations. This leaves our top 7 pretty much unchanged in terms of ranking but with some compression in the snowdepth in the resorts. Please note that snowdepth is self reported by the resorts and has not been independently verified.
#7 Alpe d’Huez/Vaujany, France
Alpe d’Huez and Vaujany together form the Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine ski area in France with a total of 248 kilomters (154 miles) of groomed runs. 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. Alpe d’Huez has had 10cm of compression in its snowdepth since our last report.
- Snowdepth at peak: 255 cm (100 inches)
- Runs open: 124/142
- Lifts operating: 63/65
#Equal 5 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. Melchsee-Frutt claims to have had no compression in snowdepth since our last report.
- Snowdepth at peak: 270 cm (106 inches)
- Runs open: 36/36 km (23/23 miles)
- Lifts operating: 11/11
#Equal 5 Les Arcs/Paradiski, France
Les Arcs, France, is unchanged in fourth place this week with still 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. Paradiski has had 10cm of compression in its snowdepth since our last report.
- Snowdepth at peak: 270 cm (106 inches)
- Runs open: 226/262
- Lifts operating: 51/53
#4 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. Les 3 Vallées claims to have had no compression in snowdepth since our last report, make of that what you will.
- Snowdepth at peak: 279 cm (109.8 inches)
- Runs open: 66/70
- Lifts operating: 41/43
#3 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 in Chamonix has compressed by 40cm since our last report.
- Snowdepth at peak: 280 cm (110 inches)
- Runs open: 115/120
- Lifts operating: 75/81
#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 has compressed in Le Grand Massif by around 20cm since our last report.
- Snowdepth at peak: 305 cm (120 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 again this week with 334 cm of snowdepth. 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. Snow has compressed here by about 30 cm since our last report.
- Snowdepth at peak: 334 cm (132 inches)
- Runs open: 48/51
- Lifts operating: 34/35
