Alps & Europe Christmas Snow Roundup #294

• Heavy snowfall refreshes the southwestern Alps and Pyrenees
• Northern Alps remain dry but cold enough for snowmaking
• Scandinavia turns sharply colder after major snowfall
• Eastern Europe struggles ahead of Christmas

Snow Report and Ski Conditions Europe 2025/26

Snow has arrived in time for Christmas on the southwestern flank of the Alps, with a few resorts posting up to 90cm (three feet) of fresh, while northern and eastern regions continue their dry spell, now stretching into a third week or longer in places. High-altitude resorts are still offering decent groomed skiing thanks to November’s strong base, but lower areas are feeling the strain. This week's snowfall in the southwest has reached the southern French Alps, the southern Swiss Alps and the northwestern Italian mountains.

The Pyrenees have also benefited from the same south-westerly flow, receiving up to 60cm (24”), with steady daily top-ups reported by most resorts. Scandinavia saw a major weekend snowfall before clear, bitterly cold weather returned. In Scotland, conditions have steadied after storms and rain, allowing limited terrain to open using machine-made snow. In Eastern Europe, Bulgarian ski areas continue to face challenges, with only limited high-altitude terrain open.

Austria Snow Report and Ski Conditions

Something of a holding pattern continues into a third successive week for the Austrian Alps, with another mostly sunny week and just a few snowflakes reported, mainly on higher terrain. The impact is mixed, as the country’s ski areas have had some reasonable snowfall earlier in the season alongside cold conditions suitable for snowmaking. Most major ski areas now have at least half their runs open, and some as much as 90%.

Temperatures remain warm in the valleys but have dipped slightly, allowing more snowmaking at altitude and slowing thawing. Off-piste terrain remains unskiable, mainly, with the best conditions confined to groomed pistes up high. The Pitztal Glacier (35/160 cm / 14/64") reports the deepest base, while Ischgl (20/50 cm / 14/20") has the most terrain open, around 190 km (118 miles).

Weather and Snow Forecast
A cooler, more unsettled spell develops as weak fronts cross the northern Alps. Expect variable cloud and periodic light snow, especially in Tirol and Salzburgerland. Freezing levels hover around 1,200–1,600 m, dipping overnight. Light snowfall is likely at higher resorts, including Obergurgl and St Anton.

France Snow Report and Ski Conditions

It has been a mostly dry week in the French Alps, despite expectations that snowfall in the southern Alps would extend further north. While that failed to materialise, southern resorts did receive snow on Monday, with Isola 2000 reporting 20cm (8”) and Puy Saint Vincent 13cm (5"). Lighter snowfall reached some northern resorts, including La Plagne and Montgenevre.

Although much of France remains in its third dry week, falling temperatures have helped preserve snowpack. Most resorts have opened an additional 10–20% of terrain for Christmas, with many now operating 60–80% of runs. Large linked areas such as the 3 Valleys and Portes du Soleil lead the way with more than 400km (250 miles) of slopes open.

Weather and Snow Forecast
A mix of cloud, brighter spells and weak fronts continues. Freezing levels fluctuate between 1,400 m and 1,900 m. Light snowfall is most likely in Savoie and Haute Savoie, with slightly heavier accumulations at higher elevations, especially around the Tarentaise and Chamonix.

Italy Snow Report and Ski Conditions

Western Italian ski areas have again seen the best snowfall in the Alps, with Piedmont particularly favoured. Prate Nevoso led with 50cm (20") mid-mountain on Monday, taking totals to 93cm (37") by Tuesday afternoon. Lighter snowfall spread along the French and Swiss borders through the Aosta Valley to Cervinia (20/100 cm / 8/40"), which reported 15cm (6").

Much of the rest of Italy remains dry. In the eastern Dolomites, Olympic venue Cortina d'Ampezzo (10/40 cm / 4/16") reports only a third of runs open, with limited natural snowfall so far this season.

Italy Weather and Snow Forecast
Weak fronts bring cloud, brighter spells and occasional light snowfall. Freezing levels range from 1,600 m to 2,000 m. Light snow is most likely across the Dolomites and South Tyrol, with lower elevations staying mostly dry.

Switzerland Snow Report and Ski Conditions

Swiss resorts in the south and west saw limited benefit from the recent storm system. Less than half of the country’s slopes are open overall, with little fresh snowfall reported across much of December. Larger resorts fare better, typically offering 70–80% of terrain.

High-altitude areas continue to post impressive depths, particularly Glacier 3000 near Gstaad. The Swiss side of Les Portes du Soleil reports around 80% open with approximately 450km (280 miles) of slopes accessible, the second-largest ski area currently open worldwide.

Weather and Snow Forecast
Cloud, sunshine and passing snow showers are expected as weak fronts cross the Alps. Freezing levels sit around 1,400–1,800 m, with light to moderate snowfall likely in Valais and Graubünden.

Pyrenees Snow Report and Ski Conditions

The Pyrenees enjoyed an excellent week with falling temperatures and daily snowfall of 5–10cm (2–4"). Some Spanish resorts recorded up to 40cm (16”), while Gavarnie Gedra (75/125 cm / 30/50”) reported 60cm (24”). Fresh snow has helped expand terrain rapidly across the region.

Andorra’s Grandvalira now offers the most open terrain at up to 125km (78 miles), narrowly ahead of Baqueira Beret, which has returned above 100km. The deepest snow is on the French side, led by Piau-Engaly (30/130 cm / 12/52”), now 85% open.

Weather and Snow Forecast
Unsettled conditions continue with fluctuating freezing levels between 1,400 and 1,800 m. Further snowfall is expected around Christmas Day, with several centimetres likely at higher elevations.

Scandinavia Snow Report and Ski Conditions

Scandinavian ski areas saw heavy snowfall late last week, with parts of western Norway receiving up to 60cm (24") over 72 hours. Since then, conditions have turned dry and sunny, albeit with limited daylight. Temperatures have plunged to –10 to –20 °C.

Norway’s Gaustablikk (80/100 cm / 32/40”) reports the deepest snow, while Sweden’s Åre (25/40 cm / 10/16”) has the most terrain open, though only around a third of its domain.

Weather and Snow Forecast
Arctic air brings sharply colder conditions. Mostly dry weather dominates, with light snow mainly in western Norway. Lapland resorts such as Levi and Ruka may see temperatures fall below –20 °C.

Eastern Europe Snow Report and Ski Conditions

Temperatures have dropped across eastern Europe, staying mostly below freezing, but snowfall remains minimal. Conditions are particularly poor in Bulgaria, where most resorts remain closed for Christmas. Bansko (0/80cm / 0/32”) is the only centre operating, with limited high-altitude terrain.

Further north, conditions are marginally better. Resorts in Czechia, Poland and Slovakia typically report 20–60% of slopes open. Špindlerův Mlýn (15/65cm / 6/26") operates around 45% of its terrain.

Weather and Snow Forecast
Some fresh snow is forecast, though totals are unlikely to exceed 15cm (6"). Colder temperatures will support snowmaking.

Scotland Snow Report and Ski Conditions

Scottish ski centres continue to battle challenging weather, with frequent gales, heavy rain, and above-average temperatures throughout December. Snow has continued to fall on the highest peaks, allowing limited base rebuilding. All four operating centres are relying heavily on all-weather snowmaking.

Glencoe currently offers sledging and touring access, Cairngorm has a beginner area open, and Glenshee operates two beginner runs. The Lecht aims to open on Boxing Day.

Weather and Snow Forecast
Cloudy conditions persist, with freezing levels initially above summits, lowering later in the week. Precipitation will mostly fall as rain or sleet, with only brief wet snow possible on the highest terrain.