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Correct, it does rain on the lower slopes of Val d'Isère/Tignes from time to time, but almost never in Obergurgl. Obergurgl is one of the top resorts for piste skiers in the early season, but in my opinion it's not particularly exciting. It's best suited to families and leisurely intermediates...

@Tony Crocker "And you would not say that such events are more likely in December than in February/March?" Anecdotally, yes I believe so, though I don't have any data immediately to hand to prove it. The main reason being that the big euro and Asian High pressure systems are more influential...

Not necessarily no, you do get the odd early season with poor snow across the board. However, the chances that least one corner will have good snow at any one time are reasonably high. As you allude to, the far south-western Alps stood out in this respect in late December 2025 with exceptional...

Regarding Engelberg and Andermatt, they are both very niche "steep and deep" resorts, even if the latter has connected more terrain recently and become a bit more intermediate friendly as a result. My point being though that, despite their reputation for big dumps, it would be risky to commit to...

In answer to your question, yes of course Nov/Dec will see higher rain/snow limits on average than Jan/Feb. Anecdotally December would seem to be the most troublesome month, partly because expectations are different in November. The absolute upper limit for rain in mid-winter (say December to...

To add some thoughts, as this is absolutely in my wheelhouse and something I obsess over every year! The first thing to note, as Tony and James will have realised over the years, is that Europeans are much more on-piste focused than Americans, so my advice is instinctively geared towards those...

Actually most of my visits have been in late March or April, and Les Contamine's reputation for good snow is well documented in France. As I say, it's in a league above Megeve and one of the key reasons is that you spend most of your time skiing between about 1600 and 2200m whereas in Megeve...

I am not comfortable with lumping Les Contamines in with Megeve/Espace Diamant. Les Contamines is considerably more reliable for snow, all things considered. I have skied there numerous times, including in 2 of the worse seasons ever (late 80s, early 90s) and it has always punched above its...

To answer, clarify, and expand on some of the points here: The Alpes-Maritimes are by no means immune to rain, and even Isola 2000 does experience the occasional event. However, these are very rare in mid-winter and are more likely early in the season, when the Mediterranean is still relatively...

It was an excellent season for the entire southern french Alps, that's for sure. I don't have any data for Isola 2000 yet (the one resort in the Alpes Maritimes) from where I regularly get figures) but I doubt it was among the very snowiest. Qualitatively though I can't really argue with locals...

It's very subjective obviously but purely for Alpine scenery, with no other factors considered, my list is 1) Jungfrau region 2) Dolomites, 3) Zermatt, 4) Saas-Fee, 5) Chamonix.

I often say that Auron is the best resort in the Alps that no-one has ever heard of! At least here in Britain.

Sounds like you enjoyed the area. For me it is one of the best - has a bit of everything. It does get horribly busy at peak times though - especially New Year and February school holidays. And, despite the Flaine bowl being very snow-sure, it's still not high enough to be in the top tier. It can...

My parents sold long before we knew about financial difficulties but for me the writing was on the wall so I pushed them into making that decision.

Snowfall stats here are fairly irrelevant due to area's exposure to the warming effect of the Atlantic which = volatile temperatures and frequent rain. They probably see around 7m of snow around 2000m, which sounds a lot but it can rain to 2500m or higher, even in January, which can quickly...

Crucially, the classic low austrian resorts are in a completely different league when it comes to snow-making. It helps that their climate ( lower temperatures and lower humidity) are more conducive to snow-making but they are also prepared to throw more money at it. For this reason, as well as...

Obviously La Clusaz are also very concerned by climate change but they do have one ace up their sleeve - the La Balme sector. In isolation this area is one of the most snow-sure in the Haute-Savoie, usually open until the end of April and a popular with ski tourers well into May, sometimes June.

There is a small chance someone will step in and save it but I am told it is unlikely.

It will never happen. The link between Les Contamines and Megève came very close to being realised—twice: once in the early 1990s and again around 15–20 years ago—but there was too much opposition. This included not only the usual environmental resistance but also practical concerns. As far as I...

So as has been alluded to above, the Dolomites is all about cruising on well managed pistes (arguably THE best snow-making in the world), hoping for sun, gawping at the jaw-dropping scenery and settling in for a long lunch. This area is superb at opening as much as is humanly possible on...