Will there be snow at your ski resort?

This is a legitimate question: can we predict thesnow cover of a ski resort during his winter mountain vacation?

Here, there is no question of having a crystal ball or making weather forecast hazardous. The weather hazards are numerous and the generally observed warming unfortunately reduces the number of snowfalls and the snow days in the ski resorts of the Alps.

However, there are some small natural rules that one can use to make the right choice. But do not lose sight of the fact that mountain villages and ski resorts offer a multitude of activities (and even more and more) even when thesnow is low. In addition, in the ski areas you will always find artificial snow in season, so no worries: whatever the destination of your vacation in the Alps, you will have a good time.

Lsnow cover of ski resorts are influenced by the general alpine climate

Two words about the climate of the Alps French before understanding how to use this information to choose your winter sports holiday destination.

In Europe there are three air mass influences.

The Atlantic air mass, and in particular this northwesterly flow which brings us rain and grey skies in the plains north of the Loire throughout the winter and which will hit the western part of the Alps (Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Isère) by dropping the precious snowflakes, but who has difficulty getting inside the massifs, towards Maurienne or the Hautes Alpes. Remember this information, it will help you understand the problems ofsnow ski resorts.

The flow can also come from the South-West: softer and less snowy It hits the same regions first, but in reverse chronology: first Isère, then Mont Blanc. The interior massifs also remain relatively unaffected.

The cold, more continental air mass coming from the North and Northeast, from Finland or Russia, which will hit the North and Northeast of the Alpine barrier (Austria, Bavaria, Slovenia). This does not affect us directly in the Alps, except sometimes in Haute-Savoie and northern Savoie, but its influence is felt when it feeds the air mass generated over the Mediterranean.

And finally, as we have just mentioned, the air masses generated over the Mediterranean which rise up through Italy, and which will hit the southern slopes, therefore the Italian slopes of the Alps, and will overflow onto the border areas (they are often called Returns from the East in France). They bring'heavy snowfall' on the border areas of the Alps.

In addition to these three major dominant currents that will determine the climate, and therefore the vegetation and the type of habitat, there are also some notable microclimates linked to the position of certain valleys inside the massif and therefore very protected from these large flows. Do you remember when I asked you to remember the information? The climate of these valleys is characterized by drier weather than in the rest of the Alps, very cold in winter and very bright. This is the case of the Haute-Tarentaise between La Rosière and Val d'Isère, from the Haute-Maurienne or Queyras in France, for example.

Last phenomenon to consider: the local wind.

The Foehn, a local wind that disrupts snow cover in ski resorts

Anyone who has ever spent a week on a skiing holiday knows that the wind at altitude can be very violent, especially when a disturbance is approaching. These are the storms that will freeze nature in a layer of snow and frost.

But it is not this wind that interests us. What interests us is the phenomenon of Foehn.

Very schematically, and to simplify as much as possible, imagine a mountain barrier (the Alps are an excellent example).

The current of the approaching air mass generates the wind which will hit the mountain on the slope very aptly called "windward".

Clouds will cling to the summit, the sky is dark. It rains or snows on this slope, sometimes heavily.

But when this air crosses the crest and continues its path beyond this mountain, it will descend into the valley on the opposite slope, called "downwind", accelerating its course but above all warming up through compression and drying out.

The wind will turn into a much warmer and drier current like a hair dryer. This wind phenomenon is called the Foehn effect, named after the wind blowing in Tyrol. Also called snow eater It will guarantee sunny weather, milder although windy and very bright, but the significant rise in temperature will melt the snow very quickly.

For there to be the Foehn, high mountain barriers are required, and deep valleys on at least one of the two slopes.

To sum up, in Foehn weather, the ridges are blocked and stormy, the windward side is covered and well watered, the leeward side is windy and very sunny.

This is why it is often a "border" wind. In France, the upper valley of the Mauritian, and especially the Upper Tarentaise from Val d'Isère to Bourg Saint Maurice, as well as the Chamonix valley are frequently affected by Foehn phenomena (also called downdraft wind, since it descends the mountains).

In summary, The climate, through its component of air mass circulation, will influence both the landscape and the weather of your vacation. !

Snow cover in ski areas is influenced by altitude

So you understood: to hope to have snowfall, it is better to go to the Northern alps, less protected from disturbed flows.

Yes, but…

This was true in the 80s, until the early 2000s. Since then, the climate has been changing rapidly. You will not have missed the fact that the planet is warming and so are our mountains. The consequence of this gradual rise in temperatures is the rise in the rain-snow limit, that is, the altitude at which snow falls and, above all, the altitude at which snow holds on frozen ground, the zero degree isotherm.

These are the two parameters that you will hear if you call the Météo France weather report (by calling 3250), or by reading local weather reports; the free Météo Alpes report is very efficient, but limited to the Northern Alps.

Little by little, the rain-snow limit rises when the disturbances arrive from the ocean. Where at the end of the 800th century we often had snowfalls between 1000 and XNUMX meters above sea level, today we hear more often that This limit is around 1200 meters. Below… it’s raining!

The zero degree isotherm also occurs at high altitudes, even in the heart of winter. It is not uncommon to have positive temperatures up to 1800 or 2000 meters, where three or four decades ago winter was a freezer for four or five months…

On the other hand, in dry and clear weather, the temperature still drops to -10 degrees in the valley bottoms at around 1000 metres above sea level, and to -20 degrees on the Haute Maurienne side due to the flow of cold, denser air along the mountain slopes.

Hence the paradox of certain landscapes in the middle of winter: southern slopes (the adrets) sunny and snowless, up to high altitudes, sometimes with an artificial snow slope, and a village in the valley, in the shade with the roofs covered in snow. Val Cenis is a good example of this type of weather around January.

Adret in Oisans

But the fact that the adret (the southern slope) is snow-free is nothing new: the old people already knew it. This is where you will generally find the small traditional hamlets, the alpine farms, and the passable roads. When you are in La Plagne or Les Arcs, in an area covered with two meters of snow overlooking the Isère valley, you will very often notice that opposite, at the same altitude (2000 meters) there is no more snow. It falls and melts quickly in the sun.

Modern ski resorts have established their ski areas on the northern slopes of the mountains (the ubacs) in order to preserve the snow for as long as possible, and very often at altitudes well above 2500 meters. This ensures both a good snow and a long ski season despite the snow.

So how do you choose your ski resort based on the likely snow cover?

If you are a beginner skier, you will mainly go skiing around the resort at the bottom of the slopes (young children too), apart from the few exceptions of resorts which have areas for beginners at altitude (Val d'Isère, La Clusaz, etc.).

In this case, choose resorts that are at high altitudes above 1500 meters, with slopes on sunny slopes. It will be more pleasant to spend the day there, and the snow will be less hard and less frozen than if you were skiing in the shade.

If you practice cross-country skiing, choose a resort that has slopes in the forests. The snow there is of better quality because it is less subject to melting in the sun and refreezing at night.

If you are a experienced skier, you can start from any altitude, but it is important to look at the size and average altitude of the area. For example, La Clusaz is at 1000 meters, but you will be skiing most of the day above 2000 meters, which is great. In Samoëns, the village is at 700 meters, but the Grand Massif area is well above 2000 meters, excellent. On the other hand, in Les Gets, the resort is at 1100 meters but the highest slope is only 1800 meters, so snow can be risky at the beginning or end of the season.

The Southern Alps have a climate of their own, drier, sunnier, colder at night, milder during the day. The snow quickly turns to snow during the day. This explains why most of the resorts are at high altitudes. The snowiest are those that benefit from the easterly winds : Montgenevre, Queyras, Vars, Insulated 2000 et AuronEg. Serre Chevalier sometimes there is a lack of snow at the bottom of the valley and for the returns to the resort which are sometimes frozen, but at the top of the area the snow cover is perfect.

Snow conditions according to your ski holiday dates

Snow conditions in ski resorts at Christmas, February and Easter

Another important factor to consider is the part of the season you will be skiing: is it in Christmas, is it during the winter holidays in February and March, or is it in Spring, in April ?

Everything described above applies to the winter holidays, between mid-January and mid-March.

To have snow at the beginning and end of the season, it is better to favor ski resorts at altitude.

At Christmas, the traditional villages, the chalets and the little church are prettier, but while it is true that we usually arrive at the holiday season with two or three good snowfalls between November and December, there is also this phenomenon of Christmas thaw which is longer and longer and more and more intense.

Of course, there is no crystal ball and you can't predict the weather for next Christmas, but you have two choices:

• the charm of the small village with or without snow (while still being able to ski in the area which is at altitude)
• or play the card of better chance of having snow in a resort around 2000 meters above sea level.

Anyway, if there aren't any up there, there aren't any down there either.

Northern Alps or Southern Alps? Very difficult to say. Some years, there is more snow at Christmas in the Provençal Alps than in the Savoyard Alps. It's a gamble.

However you maximize your chances of having snow at Christmas if you are going to Avoriaz, Flaine, Les Saisies, Haute Tarentaise (La Plagne, Les Arcs, La Rosière, Val d'Isère and Tignes), Haute Maurienne (Bonneval, Bessans), the Three Valleys, especially Val Thorens, Meribel Mottaret and Courchevel 1850, Alpe d'Huez, Montgenèvre, Vars and Isola 2000.

Statistically these are stations that are white at Christmas. If these are not, then the others probably won't be either.

And the snow in the ski resorts in April?

Spring is coming earlier and earlier, and the sun is shining its rays on the snow with ever-stronger intensity. Although the season has been very snowy, there is generally still abundant snow above 1500 metres.

The villages in the valleys at around 1000 metres are already in “end of season” mode, but at altitude the skiing is very good and the snow is of very good quality!

Be careful of sunburn, especially in the Southern Alps, near Forêt Blanche, Montgenèvre and Serre Chevalier.

Most resorts close at the end of April or beginning of May, but if you are a beginner, this season is not recommended. The snow is often hard in the morning and very soft from noon. You can hurt yourself if you don't know how to ski well.

All the resorts that have areas that tickle 3000 meters, or exceed them, are extraordinary at this period of low attendance.

Les Alpes 2 become a paradise, with the top of the slopes at more than 3500 meters above sea level, making it the highest resort in France. But also the 3 Valleys, with Val Thorens which is still crumbling under at least a metre of snow at the beginning of May; and the whole of Haute Tarentaise. Without forgetting Tignes and its spaces still very immaculate.

For end-of-season skiing, the advice is to head towards the high-altitude resorts in Savoie and Oisans.Elsewhere the snow is of poorer quality but several other sites are perfectly skiable like Flaine et Avoriaz, Valley of Chamonix, Alpe d'Huez, Risoul 1850 et Vars, Montgenevre.

In conclusion, you can remember that the higher you go, the more likely you are to see snow when you leave your accommodation. But in any case, the technical services of the ski areas do a remarkable job to ensure that the entire ski area is open throughout the season.

Which ski resort to choose to see white roofs covered in snow?

Here's a final little note for white roof fetishists.

Yes, it does exist and they like to go to winter sports in places where they can see chalets covered with a very thick layer of snow.

Obviously at the top of a fifteen-story tower it's less interesting...

So here for you fetishists, are the stations that generally offer you this chance: Avoriaz, and its magical chalets, The Praz de Lys, Le Tour (at the bottom of the Chamonix valley), Les Contamines Montjoie, Le Chinaillon near Grand Bornand, The Borders, near La Clusaz, The Saisies, La Rosière, Val d'Isere, Belle Plagne, Courchevel 1850, Meribel Mottaret, Val Thorens (had to mention it, even though there are a lot of buildings), Valmorel, Bessan, Bonneval sur Arc (very famous for this), Montgenevre, Vars, and the stations of the Queyras like Ceillac, Abriès…

There are several others and especially all the traditional villages that receive good snowfalls. The best thing is to look at photos of the places and see if the local architecture is harmonious and reflects your tastes!

Chinaillon

Which resort should you choose to find yourself in a polar atmosphere, all white with snow?

Do you love polar atmospheres? All white, all icy?

Tignes, Val Thorens, La Plagne (Love 2000 and Belle Plagne especially), L'Alpe d'Huez.

The coldest temperatures? In Ubaye, in Haute Maurienne, in the High Valleys of Briançonnais!

In these resorts, it is cold, the snow holds well to the ground, the ice too! So be careful when you go out. You can use small crampons to easily attach to your après-ski.

The most extraordinary phenomenon after a stay in such an environment, white and bright even in bad weather, is that when you return everything will seem gray and dark...

And yes, the magic of the mountain works… the one that makes you want to come back every year!

To learn more about how to choose your ski resort based on your criteria, you can download this little complete guide !

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