The Alps are world-renowned for their stunning mountains, snow-capped peaks and world-class skiing ski resorts. If you’re an avid skier or snowboarder, you probably have a list of go-to ski resorts in the Alps that you frequent each season. Many skiers flock to the popular and well-known ski resorts, overlooking the hidden gems of smaller, lesser-known ski resorts. Here are ten small, snow-sure ski resorts in the Alps that should not be overlooked:

La Rosière, France

Located on the French-Italian border, La Rosière offers a unique skiing experience with a mix of French and Italian culture. The resort has 160km of piste, including tree-lined runs and wide-open slopes. The Espace San Bernardo ski area offers incredible views of Mont Blanc and snow-sure skiing from November to May.One of the most exciting ski runs in La Rosière is the Le Roc Noir, which is a black run that starts at the top of the Roc Noir chairlift, at an altitude of 2,800 meters. It is a challenging run that offers a thrilling descent through steep and varied terrain.

Obertauern, Austria

Situated at an altitude of 1,740 meters. Obertauern is a popular ski resort that offers a ski season from November to May. Obertauern is a snow-sure resort in Austria that is often overlooked in favor of more well-known resorts. The resort boasts 100km of piste, with an elevation of up to 2313m. The resort’s long, wide slopes are perfect for beginners and intermediates. One of the most exciting ski runs in Obertauern is the Gamsleiten II, which is a black run that starts at the top of the Gamsleiten II chairlift, at an altitude of 2,313 meters. The Gamsleiten II offers a thrilling descent through steep and technical terrain. The run is known for its steep gradient, with an average incline of 45 degrees and some sections reaching 60 degrees. This makes it one of the steepest runs in Austria.

Montgenevre, France

Montgenevre is situated at an altitude of 1,860 meters above sea level and offers a ski area that ranges from 1,860 to 2,750 meters above sea level. This high altitude means that the resort benefits from a long ski season, typically running from mid-December to late April. The resort’s location on the Italian border means that it receives snow from both the Mediterranean and Atlantic weather systems, which helps to ensure good skiing conditions. The Olympic run is the most famous and challenging ski run.. This slope was used during the 2006 Winter Olympics and offers a challenging run for experienced skiers. The slope is 2.5 kilometers long and has a vertical drop of 440 meters. The run starts at the top of the Chalvet mountain and winds its way down to the village of Montgenevre. The slope is steep and includes a number of sharp turns, making it a thrilling ride for experienced skiers.

Champoluc, Italy

Champoluc is a small, charming resort in the Aosta Valley of Italy. The resort offers access to the extensive Monterosa ski area, which has 180km of piste. The resort’s highest point is at 3275m, ensuring snow coverage throughout the season. The resort’s slopes cater to all levels of skiers, and the off-piste skiing is exceptional. The Couloir Ventina is a steep and narrow chute that offers a challenging and exciting descent through technical terrain. The run starts at the top of the Crest chairlift and requires a short hike or skin up to the entrance of the couloir.

Engelberg, Switzerland

Engelberg is a picturesque ski resort located in the heart of Switzerland, it is a hidden gem that offers some of the best off-piste skiing in the Alps. The resort has 82km of piste, but the off-piste skiing is where Engelberg truly shines. The resort’s highest point is at 3020m, and the snow coverage is guaranteed from November to May. One of the most exciting ski runs in Engelberg is the Laub, which is a black run that starts at the top of the Titlis Rotair cable car, at an altitude of 3,020 meters. The Laub run is a challenging run that offers a thrilling descent through steep and technical terrain. The run is known for its steep gradient, with an average incline of 35 degrees and some sections reaching 40 degrees.

Valloire, France

Valloire is a small, charming traditiona ski resort located in the Savoie region of the French Alps. One of the defining features of the resort is its high altitude. The village sits at an altitude of 1,430 meters, and the skiing goes all the way up to 2,600 meters, providing skiers with plenty of vertical drop and varied terrain to explore.The high altitude of Valloire ensures that the resort has a long and reliable ski season, typically lasting from mid-December to mid-April.The resort has 150km of piste and the resort’s slopes cater to all levels of skiers. One of the most exciting ski runs in Valloire is the Aiguille Noire, which is a challenging black run that starts at the top of the Crey du Quart chairlift, at an altitude of 2,800 meters.

Val d’Anniviers, Switzerland

Val d’Anniviers is a hidden gem in the Swiss Alps that offers incredible skiing for all levels. With 220 km of slopes and an elevation of up to 3,000 meters, Val d’Anniviers boasts fantastic snow conditions throughout the season. One of the most thrilling slopes in the area is the Tsapé black run, which offers a steep, challenging descent through the trees.

La Norma, France

Located in the Savoie region of France, La Norma is a small ski resort with 65 km of slopes that offers a great varietyfor all levels. The village sits at an altitude of 1,350 meters, and the skiing goes all the way up to 2,750 meters, La Norma boasts excellent snow conditions throughout the season, even in leaner snow years. One of the most interesting slopes in the area is the Fontaine Froide black run, which offers a thrilling descent through a narrow valley.

Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, Austria

Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is a charming ski resort in the Otztal Valley of Tyrol, Austria known for its reliable snow conditions. The ski season here runs from November to May, and the resort’s altitude ranges from 1,800m to 3,080m. With 110 km of slopes and an elevation of up to 3,080 meters, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl boasts fantastic skiing possibilities throughout the season. One of the most interesting slopes in the area is the Hohe Mut red run, which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.

Passo Tonale, Italy

Passo Tonale is a small ski resort located in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of Italy that offers excellent skiing possibilities for all levels. With 100 km of slopes and an elevation of up to 3,000 meters, Passo Tonale boasts great snow conditions throughout the season. One of the most exciting slopes in the area is the Paradiso black run, which offers a challenging descent through steep terrain.

Les Carroz, France

Les Carroz is a picturesque ski resort located in the Haute-Savoie region of France that offers a great variety of slopes for all levels. With 265 km of slopes and an elevation of up to 2,500 meters, Les Carroz boasts excellent snow conditions throughout the season. One of the most interesting slopes in the area is the La Tête des Saix black run, which offers a challenging descent through steep terrain.

Arosa, Switzerland

Arosa is a charming ski resort located in the Swiss Alps that offers a great variety of slopes for all levels. With 225 km of slopes and an elevation of up to 2,865 meters, Arosa boasts excellent snow conditions throughout the season. One of the most interesting slopes in the area is the Hörnli black run, which offers a challenging descent through steep terrain.

Isola 2000, France

Isola 2000 is a small ski resort located in the Alpes-Maritimes region of France that offers great skiing possibilities for all levels. With 120 km of slopes and an elevation of up to 2,610 meters, Isola 2000 boasts fantastic snow conditions throughout the season. One of the most thrilling slopes in the area is the La Face black run, which offers a steep, challenging descent through open terrain.

Cervinia, Italy

Cervinia offers an altitude range of 2,050m – 3,883m. It’s ski season covers November to May. Cervinia is a classic Italian ski resort with stunning views of the Matterhorn. With high-altitude skiing on the Plateau Rosa glacier, the ski season here is long and reliable. The Ventina is an exciting slope that starts at the top of the Plateau Rosa and takes you all the way down to the village of Cervinia – a vertical drop of over 2,000 meters! This is a must-do run for confident intermediate and advanced skiers. Cervinia also offers some great off-piste skiing opportunities, particularly on the glacier.

Please note that due to climate change temperatures has risen and snowfall has been decreasing, impacting snow quality and leading to a shorter ski season in the Alps. Ski resorts are feeling the effects of this change, with some starting later and closing earlier than usual.

What to look for

When searching for a snow sure ski resort in the Alps, there are a few key things you should look for to ensure that you have the best possible ski experience. Here are some factors to consider:

Look for a ski resort that has a high altitude, as this typically means more snow and a longer ski season. Generally, the higher the resort, the more likely it is to have good snow conditions. A good benchmark to look for is a resort with a base elevation of at least 1500 meters.

The location of a ski resort can also impact its snow reliability. Resorts that are located on the northern side of the Alps tend to receive more snow than those on the southern side. Additionally, resorts that are located in valleys or on the leeward side of mountains may be more sheltered from the wind and have better snow conditions.

The orientation of a ski slope can also impact its snow reliability. North-facing slopes tend to hold snow better than south-facing slopes as they receive less direct sunlight and are therefore less affected by warming temperatures.

In conclusion

The Alps offer a wealth of exciting ski runs for skiers of all levels. From the challenging off-piste runs in Champoluc to the steep black runs in Engelberg and Valloire, there is no shortage of thrilling descents to be had. These lesser-known ski resorts may not be as well-known as some of the more popular resorts in the Alps, but they offer a unique and authentic skiing experience with fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere. If you’re looking for an adventure on the slopes, consider visiting one of these small, snow-sure ski resorts and discovering the excitement that awaits you.

When it comes to skiing, one thing you really do need over anything else, is snow. You don’t necessarily need a massive amount of it, but there’s nothing quite as bad as having an expensive ski holiday spoiled by a poor snow cover or soggy snow! With climate change and global warming very much a reality, snow conditions in ski resorts are becoming increasingly unpredictable. Consequently, many enthusiasts are gravitating towards ski areas known for consistent snowfall to ensure a gratifying skiing or snowboarding experience.

But where to go? Which are the best snow-sure ski resorts in the Alps?

The Alps, a prime skiing destination, are subject to the impacts of climate change, an issue often overlooked by wintersport enthusiasts. However, it’s undeniable that the changing climate is reshaping the skiing landscape. Notably, several small low-altitude Swiss and French resorts have already become unviable, and for similar ski resorts it is getting harder and harder to provide a good-quality snow cover during the ski season.

The warming of the Alps is occurring at a pace faster than the global average, a phenomenon not yet fully understood by researchers. The primary concern isn’t just the rising temperatures but also the erratic nature of weather patterns, extreme weather events, and stalled weather systems. Additionally, a phenomenon known as seasonal drift has altered the coldest periods in the Alps, pushing them from December to the early months of the year. Spring snow melt is occurring earlier in the year, effectively shortening the ski season. In the Southern Alps, which typically receive less snow than their northern counterparts, there’s been a more significant decrease in snow depth below 2000 meters. Regional trends sometimes differ considerably. So, what can we learn from the recent past?

Given these changes, the quest for snow-sure ski resorts often leads to high-altitude locations where deeper and higher-quality snow is more likely. However, disparities in snow depth and quality are still evident among different resorts. Claims of snow surety by many resorts may not always be substantiated and could be influenced by marketing strategies or over-reliance on artificial snow-making.

There’s a trend among various winter websites and blogs to compile lists of snow-sure ski resorts, which entails in arguable and unsubstantiated claims of the ‘snowiest ski resorts’. Such rankings often leave out numerous viable alternatives, raising questions about their accuracy and the data sources used.

The focus on a top ten means that a lot of interesting snow-sure alternatives are left out-of-scope and umentioned. That does not seem to be fair. We would like to know what can be said about the level of snow reliability of neighbouring ski resorts and those at lower altitude.

Not the snowiest, but the most snow-sure

Addressing these issues, SkiWeather.eu has embarked on extensive research over the past decade, analyzing a vast array of snow and weather data (over 30 million records) from multiple sources. The objective is to assess ski resorts based on a combination of snow depth and temperature. This approach differs from merely identifying the snowiest resorts; it focuses on consistent snow conditions throughout the ski area, especially considering that snow depth at higher elevations doesn’t always reflect the conditions lower down.

In this research, over 1,500 ski resorts were evaluated based on weekly average snow depth on both lower and upper slopes, along with temperature variance. This method considers both the quantity and quality of snow, as well as consistency in temperature. To provide a balanced assessment, the snow depth on upper and lower slopes was weighted differently, with more emphasis on lower slope conditions and temperature to counterbalance heavy snow accumulation at higher elevations. The variability in snow depth data and temperature were also factored into the scoring to mitigate any anomalies.

The ranking

The results of this comprehensive analysis led to a more robust and reliable ranking system. In 2022, the French ski resort Val Thorens in the Trois Vallees. n the Trois Vallees emerged as the most snow-sure resort. It boasts a ski condition track-record in both snow depth and temperature levels compared to other resorts. Val Thorens, with its high altitude (2300-3200 meters), exemplifies an ideal snow-sure destination. Nearly all its ski area is above 2000 meters, ensuring excellent snow quality throughout its long season. The resort’s location, with a high proportion of north-facing slopes and access to two glaciers, further bolsters its snow reliability, allowing it to offer a snow guarantee.

The research also highlighted significant changes in the rankings of other resorts.

Val Thorens: deep and excellent quality snow

Conversely, Schrocken Warth, once a top contender, has seen a decline in its ranking since 2018. Despite its well-known micro-climate, which typically results in significant snowfall and low temperatures, recent years have seen this resort grappling with higher temperatures. Its relatively lower altitude (1270-1494 meters) compared to other top-ranking resorts adds to its challenges.

In the top 200 rankings, the Dolomites ski resorts have witnessed a considerable decline due to reduced snowfall in the eastern part of the Southern Alps in recent years. Similarly, the Lombardian Madesimo has gradually moved down the top 10, indicative of the challenging snow conditions faced by many Italian ski resorts.

The overall score resulted in the following ranking for the ski resorts with at least 50km of slopes.

The most snow-sure ski resorts in the Alps

 2016201720182022
1.Schrocken WarthSchrocken WarthSchrocken WarthVal Thorens Les Menuires
2.ObertauernObertauernObertauernSankt Christoph
3.Val ThorensVal ThorensVal ThorensObertauern
4.MadesimoSankt ChristophMontgenevreTignes Val dIsère
5.Sankt ChristophVal dIsère TignesSankt ChristophSchrocken Warth
6.Val dIsère TignesMadesimoVal dIsère TignesBreuil Cervinia
7.Lech ZursLes ArcsMadesimoLa Rosière
8.Peisey VallandryLech ZursLech ZursAndermatt
9.Passo TonalePeisey VallandryLes ArcsLes Arcs
10.La PlagnePasso TonaleLa PlagneHochsolden

To offer a comprehensive view, SkiWeather.eu has categorized the top 200 resorts into rank classes, each containing ten resorts. Rank class I ski resorts can be considered as the most snow-sure in the Alps and, are a very safe bet as a destination for your next ski holiday. Please note that although ski resorts in the lower-rank classes may have a lower chance at having deep and high-quality snow or a shorter ski season, they are still a very good option when the conditions are right; when there is a (positive) deviation from the long-term trend, which happens more often as weather systems meander more frequently. Moreover, the price level in these resorts is usually much lower…

See the entire ranking lists consisting of the top 250 snow-sure ski resorts (or the top-50 as png).

These are the most reliable or snow-sure ski resorts:

Val Thorens (2300-3200m)
At an altitude of 2300m, resorts don’t get much higher than this. 99% of the ski area is positioned above 2000m which ensures the best quality snow during its long season. Val Thorens is with a doubt an excellent bet for good snow conditions. Europe’s highest major skiresort is naturally one of the continent’s most snowsure right from the start to the end of winter. As well as the altitude advantage, Val Thorens also has a high proportion of north-facing slopes and access to not one, but two glaciers. Val Thorens is so confident of its snow cover it offers a snow guarantee.

Sank Christoph am Arlberg (1740-2811m)
Located in the famous Arlberg region and sandwiched in-between Lech, Stuben and Sankt Anton -which are all very snow sure resorts- tiny Sankt Christoph adds altitude to the equation. Settled in front of the Flexenpass at an altitude of 1740m it is one one of the best destinations for early or late season skiing in Austria.

Obertauern (1650-2320m)
Austria’s only purpose-built resort also comes with its own micro-climate and was cleverly positioned just so for access to the finest snow. Long term records reveal a snowfall average in Obertauern of nearly 8m, with the encircling peaks of the Niedere Tauern mountain range causing an ice-bucket effect that keeps temperatures super low.

Tignes and Val dIsere (1550-3456m)
Tignes sits above the treeline at 2100m with a top lift height of 3456m on the Grande Motte. Tignes is open before all other ski resorts in Europe and is the last to close its tracks. Like neighbouring Tignes Val d’Isere can get significant snow from storms of both Atlantic and Mediterranean origin. Tignes and Val dIsere are amongst the most reliable resorts in Europe for good snow due to the extent of high altitude skiing (60% of its 300km of slopes are above 2500m).

Schrocken-Warth (1270-2450m)
With it’s own micro-climate making things colder and more precipitous than others in the area, Warth-Schrocken averages over 10m of snowfall each year. Long term records taken at just 1600m show a seasonal average of nearly 11m of snow. Even in bad years Schrocken and Warth are snowier than many of it’s higher-altitude rivals.

Breuil Cervinia (1520-3820)
At 2050m, Breuil Cervinia is one of the highest resorts in the Alps, guaranteeing excellent, snow-sure skiing throughout the season and into summer.

La Rosiere (1176-2800)
La Rosière is the snowiest ski resort in the Tarentaise. La Rosiere has the benefit of being sited on the sunnier yet still snow-sure southern side of the domain, This is explained by its exposed position perpendicular to storms funnelling up the valley from the west.

Andermatt (1445-2965)
Andermatt has a big reputation for snow that few Alpine ski resorts can rival. Key to this is the way it benefits from storms arriving from different directions. The resort is equally likely to get dumped on from the north, the west or the south, and is therefore an excellent place to hedge your bets. The main Gemsstock mountain is also high and shady, so the snow that does fall sticks around, and is often in good condition.

Les Arcs (1800-3225)
The snow-sure, high altitude resort of Les Arcs is an excellent end of season destination. The skiing rises as high as 3225m on the Aiguille Rouge summit, and in good conditions stretches down to the tree lined pistes at 1200m. It’s an excellent variety of terrain.

Passo Tonale (1200-3016m)
Tonale is a high-altitude resort perched in a wide, open expanse that is both snow-sure and sunny. It is actually one of Italy’s highest resorts and is guaranteed good snow and a long season. Presena is the glacier just south of Passo Tonale which sits at over 2700m, so this coupled with the generous snowfall makes Tonale the perfect spot for powder seekers. Incidentally, Tonale is one of the cheapest snow sure destinations.

Operations level

The table presented below displays the average operational percentages for ski slopes and ski lifts during the ski season. These figures serve as indicators of the likelihood that the entire ski area may not be fully operational on any given day. Factors influencing this include adverse weather conditions, such as high winds and avalanches, or issues related to the age and maintenance of ski lift systems. Notably, resorts like Val Thorens, Les Arcs, and Obertauern have demonstrated a consistent track record of high operational levels, underscoring their reliability in terms of ski area accessibility.

 SlopesLifts
1.Val Thorens80%80%
2.Sankt Christoph63%78%
3.Obertauern87%84%
4.Tignes Val dIsere74%76%
5.La Rosiere79%82%
6.Schrocken Warth71%78%
7.Breuil Cervinia67%68%
8.Les Arcs82%86%
9.Andermatt73%76%
10.Passo Tonale65%75%

Micro-climate

In our expanded research on snow reliability at ski resorts, we delved into the spatial variability of complete snow depth and temperature time series. This analysis aimed to identify resorts with similar micro-climate profiles.

The accompanying map presents all the ski resorts covered in our study, marked to indicate their micro-climate profiles. These identifications are based on a time series-profile analysis conducted over a decade. The map illustrates a classic north-south division along the main Alpine ridge and distinguishes between the Western and Eastern Alps. However, within this geographical layout, there’s noticeable differentiation, suggesting that storm fronts impact sub-regional climates differently. A prime example of this is the Northern Alps, especially the area below the Bodensee, such as The Arlberg region, which exhibits a diverse range of climate profiles or clusters, partly due to the region’s susceptibility to Fohn winds.

The key takeaway is the realization that proximity between ski resorts doesn’t necessarily equate to similar weather patterns and snow conditions. This is particularly evident in the Northern Alps regions like Tirol and Vorarlberg, where micro-climates can vary significantly even among closely situated resorts.

The cluster id is included in the snow-sure ranking.