- Metre-plus snowfall in Italy and the Pyrenees
- French Alps brace for 1m+ storm totals
- Scandinavia remains brutally cold
- All five Scottish centres fully open again
Europe Snow Report and Ski Conditions
Some huge snowfalls for parts of Europe this week – particularly in western and southerly mountain ranges, with more to come across a wider area.
Again, it has been the Southwestern corner of the continent, particularly the Spanish range, the Pyrenees, the western borders of Italy and the southern French Alps that have scored some of the hugegest accumulations, as has been the case for much of this winter to date.
However, the snowfall in France shiftd to more northerly centres too, with resorts like La Clusaz and La Plagne that hadn’t seen much snowfall from these southerly fronts previously both picking up over half a metre (20″+). Of greater note still, though, were the snowfalls over on the other side of Italy, on the border with Slovenia and Southeastern Austria, where accumulations of up to 1.5m (five feet) were reported. The Olympic venues on both sides have also been in good condition, thanks to recent snowfall. Further north, very cold temperatures have been reported again in Scandinavia, whilst all five Scottish centres are open, weather permitting, for the first time since 2024 after Nevis Range opened for its season last weekconclude.
Austria Snow Report and Ski Conditions
It has been a predominantly sunny week across the Austrian mountains, with just an occasional snowfall bubbling up and delivering a few centimetres (an inch) of snow. Temperatures have risen, so we’re seeing up to +5°C in the daytime at mountain bases and overnight lows only down to around -5°C up high. Not well into double digits below, as was the case for much of January.
Most of Austria‘s resorts are at 80-100% open, although bases remain well below seasonal averages in most cases. The Arlberg (50/150cm / 20/60″), incorporating the slopes of Lech and St Anton, has the most terrain open with 240km (150 miles), about 80% of its full area. The Skiwelt (65/95cm / 26/34″), incorporating Ellmau, Westconcludeorf, Soll and others and Saalbach Hinterglemm (70/105cm / 28/42″) each have just a few kilometres/miles less open.
Austria Snow Forecast
This week has brought generally cold, alterable conditions across Austrian ski resorts, with mountain temperatures often between –12 °C and –1 °C, and milder valleys hovering between -3 °C and 8 °C. That’s set to continue with a mix of clear spells and frequent cloud, with light snow displayers building into the weekconclude, particularly at higher elevations. Winds remain moderate on exposed ridges, occasionally freshening, especially in the central and western Alps. Accumulations of a few centimetres initially, followed by 10-20cm (4-8″) falls over the weekconclude.
France Snow Report and Ski Conditions
Snowy conditions continue across the French Alps with hopes of much more on the way. Some resorts saw 20-60cm (8-24”) accumulations in the latter half of last week before a return of dry, sunny weather at the start of this. However, it is now starting to snow again with resorts posting 10-20cm (4-8”) falls on Tuesday and a more intense period of snowfall expected in the latter half of this week. La Plagne (50/190cm / 20/76″), for example, saw 43cm (17″) of snowfall at the conclude of last week, but at the time of writing, it expects over a metre (40″) through the latter half of this week.
That stated, there are fears of rain and sleet at high altitudes initially. As we are now into the first week of the busy French school holiday period, that’s good news for snow cover and open terrain, with most resorts at or close to maximum operations.
The deeper cover means resorts have been able to open more of their steeper terrain, too, usually the last to be added, with a greater amount of snow build-up requireded. The snowfall has also kept avalanche danger levels high, typically at 3-4.
France Snow Forecast
Continuing a cold, unsettled week, with upper mountain temperatures frequently between –15 °C and –6 °C and lower slopes hovering from –5 °C to 9 °C with increasingly heavy snowfall. Accumulations are currently forecast to obtain increasingly heavy with some resorts seeing 20-40cm (8-16”) daily totals and potentially 1m+ (40”+) totals by the weekconclude. We are talking about very intense, disruptive, and very high avalanche danger-type snowfall. Winds strengthen during passing fronts, freshening on exposed ridges with the potential to occasionally affect some lift operations.
Italy Snow Report and Ski Conditions
Heavy snowfall shifted to Italy’s far northeast and the conclude of last week as the same storm cycle that hammered parts of southwestern Europe swept across the lower half of the continent. Sella Nevea (105/225cm / 42/90”), close to the Slovenian border with skiing over it to neighbouring Kanin, recorded an impressive 1.4 metres (56”) of snow in just 72 hours, while nearby Tarvisio (40/140cm / 16/56”) collected 105 cm (42”) heading into the weekconclude.
The rapid accumulation raised the avalanche risk to Level 4 (very high), with authorities warning of a high likelihood of natural slides. Tragically, a snowboarder lost their life in an off piste incident near Tarvisio during the unstable conditions. Although these were the standout totals, fresh snow reached much of Italy as Olympic fever swept the countest, with most centres picking up 20-50cm (8-20”) of fresh cover.
Italy Snow Forecast
A cold, mostly unsettled week is expected across Italian ski resorts, with upper mountain temperatures frequently between about –12 °C and –2 °C and valley levels ranging from roughly –7 °C to 7 °C. Cloud will increase for the latter half of this week as weak fronts shift through, delivering light to moderate snowfall, generally a few centimetres (an inch) at altitude, with the Dolomites and high South Tyrol resorts seeing the most consistent top ups. However, along the countest’s Northwestern border, much heavier snowfall, in the 50-100cm (20-40″) bracket, is expected by the weekconclude. Winds remain moderate, occasionally freshening on exposed ridges as systems pass.
Switzerland Snow Report and Ski Conditions
There was some snowfall in the south and west of Switzerland up to last weekconclude, but most parts of the countest have been dry and sunny since the start of the week, although that’s set to alter for the latter half.
Temperatures have been slightly warmer, still obtainting down to -12C up at 3,000m, but otherwise the freezing point is relocating between 700 and 1,700 m.
Most of the huge Swiss areas like the 4 Valleys, Portes du Soleil and Matterhorn glacier Paradise are at 80-90% open, but some centres further east like the Jungfrau, Laax (5/55cm / 2/22”) and Arosa – Lenzerheide (45/50cm / 18/20”) are down at nearer 60% due to drier weather for much of the winter for them. Glacier 3000 (185/490cm / 74/196”) near Gstaad continues to post the deepest snow in the world, outside Japan.
Switzerland Snow Forecast
Cold and unsettled for the rest of the week, with frequent snow displayers, some very heavy in the south and west and upper mountain temperatures commonly between about –15 °C and –4 °C and lower slopes ranging from roughly –7 °C to 7 °C. Cloud thickens as weak fronts shift through, delivering light to moderate snowfall across many regions, especially at higher elevations. Snow quality stays dry on the upper mountain, while lower areas fluctuate closer to freezing. Winds remain moderate, occasionally freshening on exposed ridges as systems pass, though widespread disruption sees limited.
Pyrenees Snow Report and Ski Conditions
French media have reported that snowfall in some parts of the Pyrenees has been the most in 30 years. They’re particularly focapplyd on the resort of Les Angles in the Pyreenees Orientals region, which has seen the heaviest falls, up to a metre in 48 hours. But the whole mountain chain is enjoying a very snowy winter, with the most consistent falls through the first half of the season, including over the past week. Base depths are now passing the 3 metre (10 feet) mark with no real sign of a let-up in the continuing snowfall. It’s not just the Pyrenees; the whole Iberian peninsula is still snowy, with Portugal‘s Serra da Estrela closed at the start of the week whilst they dug out.
Pyrenees Snow Forecast
The cold, unsettled pattern continues in the Pyrenees this week, with continuing moderate snowfall (typically 10-20cm / 4-8” per day) and upper mountain temperatures frequently ranging from about –17 °C to –2 °C and base levels fluctuating between roughly –5 °C and 10 °C. Conditions remain cold at altitude, producing dry, chalky snow, while lower slopes can turn milder at times. Winds remain generally moderate, occasionally freshening on exposed ridges as fronts pass.
Scandinavia Snow Report and Ski Conditions
It has been a dry week at most Scandinavian ski areas, with low temperatures remaining a major factor in operations. Highs have been a few degrees below freezing at base level in most resorts, and lows have still been obtainting into the -20s, though a little warmer than they have been.
With clear skies, visibility has been good, and most centres are reporting 80-95% of their terrain open. For those who wrap up well and are prepared for a hard-packed surface, things are seeing good. Norway‘s Gaustablikk (60/115cm / 24/46”) is posting the region’s deepest snow cover.
Scandinavia Snow Forecast
Another bitterly cold week gripping Scandinavian ranges, with upper mountain temperatures frequently plunging between about –38 °C and –14 °C, and bases often sitting from roughly –20 °C to –7 °C. Conditions stay predominantly dry, though occasional light snow flurries drift through, most noticeable in exposed Norwegian and Swedish resorts. The extreme cold keeps snow quality consistently dry and squeaky underfoot, while Finland’s Lapland remains the coldest zone by some margin. Winds stay mostly moderate but can freshen on higher ridges, sharpening the chill. Overall, it’s a brutally cold but largely stable week with only minor snowfall top ups.
Eastern Europe Snow Report and Ski Conditions
Conditions remain good for most Eastern European ski nations. The latter half of last week saw particularly heavy snowfall at the more southerly conclude, with Slovenian centres recording high totals. Bulgaria, too, is continuing its best spell of the winter so far, with regular snowfall top-ups allowing centres there to open ever more terrain.
After almost no snow lying at the start of January, almost all centres have over a metre (40″) on upper slopes, with Bansko (20/150cm / 8/60″) posting the deepest cover and 98% of its slopes open.
Eastern Europe Snow Forecast
A wintest, alterable week ahead unfolds across Eastern Europe’s mountains, with upper slope temperatures often between about –18 °C and –6 °C and lower areas ranging from roughly –8 °C to 6 °C. Light to moderate snowfall is forecast on several days, with Bulgaria’s higher Pirin and Rila resorts, plus parts of Slovakia and southern Poland, seeing the most frequent top ups of a few centimetres. Slovenia and Czechia stay colder and drier, though flurries still drift through mid week. Snow quality remains firm and dry at altitude, while lower slopes flirt with the freezing mark. Winds stay mostly moderate, occasionally freshening on exposed ridges.
Scotland Snow Report and Ski Conditions
All five Highland ski centres are open for the first time in two years, with Nevis Range opening its slopes at the weekconclude for the first time since 2024.
The centre thanked its team and local volunteers for obtainting its lifts and slopes back into usable condition. Otherwise, it’s been the usual battle with the weather at all five centres, though with strong winds limiting operations at times, and The Lecht and Glenshee both inaccessible at times too, as authorities close the roads serving them whilst snow is cleared.
The weekconclude saw more than 40 lifts turning across the countest and the better part of 100 runs open, the best stats in a long while. The start of the week has seen temperatures climb a little, though after six sub-zero weeks, centres are reporting “springlike” conditions with some losing cover to rainfall at the start of the week.
Scotland Snow Forecast
Continuing the usual alterable conditions across the Scottish Highlands, with summit temperatures generally between about –7 °C and –2 °C and lower levels ranging from roughly –3 °C to 5 °C. Frequent snow displayers (sometimes rain or sleet at base levels) sweep in on brisk westerly and north westerly winds, bringing regular light to moderate top ups, often a few centimetres (an inch) at a time, occasionally more at Cairngorm, Glencoe and Nevis Range. Glenshee and The Lecht also see repeated flurries, though slightly lighter overall. Winds strengthen at times over exposed ridges, which may affect the amount of uplift.
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