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In answer to the tree question: Serre Chevalier has, without any doubt, the best tree skiing - in terms of extensive tree skiing at a reasonable altitude - of any resort in France, perhaps even in Europe, yes. The tree line is a bit higher than in the northern Alps, about 2200-2300m which means...

Yes, sometimes you can say with 99% certainty that it won't snow for 10 days. But in this case no one can even agree on the trend let alone the detail (past 5 days or so).

As if to reinforce my point about model volatility, the ECM European model offers an entirely new solution for next week with the surge of arctic air (and accompanying cyclogenesis) way further west then before (see attached). This would mean snow for the south/south-western Alps but very little...

Fairly speculative at this stage as there is huge model volatility. The last GFS operational run was looking at apocalyptic levels of snow for the north-western Alps around the middle of next week. The very latest one has removed that scenario entirely. The only thing we can be sure of at this...

I think it's because the French Alps are more prone to summer heatwaves than the Austrian Alps. It's a bit counterintuitive, as you would think that Austria has the more continental climate, and indeed at most levels it does. But anecdotally I have noticed that the French Alps suffer from more...

This corner of the Alps has probably done best this season, relative to altitude.

Val d'Isere is always in the "what's the best ski resort in the world" conversation, in the UK at least. The lift accessible off-piste is arguably THE best in the world and there are masses of inbound runs for all levels. The snow reliability is as good as any big resort in the Alps. The village...

That isn't a 12 seater, it's just called something odd with twelve in it. There are no chairs more than 8 anywhere, I don't believe, but happy to be corrected. James, Serfaus used to appear in UK tour op brochures 25-30 years ago but disappeared quite suddenly. Not too sure why as it ticks a lot...

Interesting assessment. I can tell you that Obergurgl is one of the most popular resorts in the Alps with UK families looking for a bit of luxury (most of the hotels are 4 star). It's partly the reputation for snow, there is no more reliable entirely non-glacial resort in the Alps. I understand...

Serfaus is one of the largest ski areas in Austria that hardly anyone in the UK will have skied, let alone heard of. The market is predominantly affluent Germans, and UK tour operators (including ourselves) cannot get a foot in. Shame, as it a relatively snow sure, mid-size mostly intermediate...

No, this photo is looking north-west across the Rhone Valley and the mountain in question is the 3934m Bietschhorn

Flaine/Grand Massif is one of my favourite areas with extensive and highly varied terrain. The 60s Eastern block Bauhaus architecture is shocking for most first time visitors but can grow on you, and is considered quite trendy/cutting edge by some, especially now that the resort is making an...

Take absolutely no notice of these snowfall stats, they are absolute garbage! Zermatt's probably averages around 7-8m at 3000m, maybe not even that. I take less notice of snowfall stats than I used to - in my opinion they are fairly useless and often very misleading, in the European Alps at...

Ischgl is a remarkable resort, but not to everyone's taste. On paper it is, in many ways, THE perfect resort - a large, high, snow-sure ski area served by the most sophisticated lift system in the world. There are high speed 6 and 8 person chairs wherever you look, and nowhere in Austria can you...

Hi guys - just out of the country for a week but will pick this up again on my return. Thanks. Fraser.

Ok so GVA and ZRH are both great gateways to the Alps though GVA gives you more options in terms of access to different climate zones. First suggestion I am going to put out there is the AOSTA VALLEY which is easily accessible from GVA and would give you a nice taste of Skiing in Italy. You...

How flexible are you with dates and flights? Purely from a snow conditions stand-point the best thing to do would be to wait until you know the snow is good then plan accordingly, even if very last minute. However, with one or two notable exceptions, most of us don't have such luxuries LOL...

Good morning! Having worked as both a tour operator and ski journalist (specialising in Alpine weather and snow-conditions) for more than 25 years, I am happy to offer some thoughts - though It's tricky to advise concisely as there are so many potential options! Here in the UK there is a...

These resorts will see plenty of snow at altitude in the next week but also some rain at times low down...

I can confirm that there will be significant snow across the north-western half of the Alps in the next 7 days, especially early next week, with the high French resorts most in the firing line (e.g. L'Espace Killy, 3 Valleys, Paradiski). However the further south and east you are, the more you...