Europe Weekly Snow Roundup #307

• Up to 50cm fresh snow refreshes Alpine high terrain 
• Chamonix records 40cm, world’s biggest weekend snowfall
• Spring sunshine and freeze–thaw cycles dominate conditions
• Scandinavia remains Europe’s most consistently wintry region
• Pyrenees warmth accelerates snowmelt on lower slopes

Europe Intro

Spring is now fully underway, with the astronomical season beginning last week, nearly three weeks after the meteorological transition.

Conditions across the Alps and Pyrenees have been typical for this time of year, with plenty of sunshine and widespread freeze–thaw cycles shaping snow quality.

That said, there has still been fresh snowfall refreshing slopes, with up to 50cm (20") recorded on higher terrain at the start of the week before clearer skies returned.

Austria Report

It has been a highly variable week in the Austrian Alps, with temperatures ranging between around –10°C and +10°C depending on altitude and time of day. Conditions have included a mix of rain, sleet and snowfall, alongside alternating cloudy skies and sunny spells.

Snowfall totals have been more modest than the previous week, with Obertauern (50/130cm / 20/52”) reporting 10cm (4”), one of the larger accumulations. Most Austrian resorts are now approaching the final weeks of their seasons. Base depths remain below average, although the larger ski areas are still largely open.

Austria Snow Forecast
A colder, more unsettled spell develops through Thursday and Friday, bringing a return to wintry conditions at altitude. Summit temperatures are expected to drop to –15°C to –22°C, with widespread sub-zero readings above 1,800–2,000m.

This shift should support fresh snowfall across higher alpine terrain, particularly glaciers, delivering a useful late-season refresh.

France Report

French ski areas enjoyed sunny weather late last week, with freeze–thaw conditions dominating, before fresh snowfall returned at the start of the new week. Higher terrain saw the most benefit, with Chamonix (85/360cm / 34/144”) posting the world’s largest weekend snowfall at 40cm (16”). Bonneval Sur Arc (100/235cm / 40/94”) reported 30cm (12”) over the same period.

French resorts continue to offer some of the deepest snowpacks globally at altitude and the most terrain open anywhere in the world. Les 3 Valleys (200/265cm / 80/106") remains more than 95% open, while Cauterets in the Pyrenees now reports the country’s deepest snowpack at 400cm (160”).

France Snow Forecast
Colder air is expected to return, re-energising higher terrain across the French Alps, particularly in Haute-Savoie, Savoie and the Hautes-Alpes, with fresh snowfall likely on upper slopes.

Italy Report

Italian ski areas have seen fresh snowfall this week, although spring thaw conditions are increasingly affecting smaller, lower-lying centres, around a third of which have now closed. Major destinations remain in good condition. Val Gardena (60/90cm / 24/36") continues to report its full 180km (113 miles) of runs open.

Conditions are predominantly springlike, with freeze–thaw cycles maintaining reasonable snow quality, particularly on north-facing terrain. Alpe di Mera reported around 30cm (12”) of snowfall over the weekend, while Cervinia (85/165cm / 34/66") recorded 20cm (8").

Italy Snow Forecast
A colder, more unsettled pattern is expected later this week, with summit temperatures dropping to –15°C to –20°C and fresh snowfall likely across higher elevations.

Switzerland Report

Switzerland has experienced a similar week to the rest of the Alps, with generally mild, sunny conditions and overnight freezes maintaining a consistent freeze–thaw cycle. There was some weekend snowfall, with Crans-Montana (50/150cm / 20/60") reporting 20cm (8"). The 4 Valleys (40/240cm / 16/96") continues to offer the most terrain open, while Saas-Fee (75/305cm / 30/122") reports the deepest snowpack.

Switzerland Snow Forecast
Cold upper-mountain temperatures persist, with fresh snowfall expected above approximately 1,600–2,000m. Totals of 10–25cm (4–10") are possible, with higher amounts on the highest terrain.

Pyrenees Report

Mild spring warmth has taken hold across the Pyrenees, with widespread freeze–thaw cycles and increasingly soft snow, particularly on lower slopes. Despite this, base depths remain exceptional following a strong winter. Grandvalira (240/310cm / 96/124”) continues to offer extensive terrain.

Pyrenees Snow Forecast
Warm, spring-like conditions continue, with no meaningful new snowfall expected. Surface quality will be best early each morning.

Scandinavia Ski Report

Scandinavia remains the most consistently wintry part of Europe. Western Norway has continued to see regular snowfall, with 10–50cm (4–20") accumulated over the past week.

Temperatures remain relatively low, helping preserve snow quality, although southern areas are increasingly seeing daytime thaw. Voss (90/110cm / 36/44") reported some of the heaviest snowfall totals.

Scandinavia Forecast
A generally wintry pattern continues, with firm morning snow conditions and limited additional snowfall expected.

Eastern Europe Report

Higher elevations in Bulgaria and the Balkans saw light snowfall late last week, but much of the region has otherwise experienced sunny conditions.

Lower-lying resorts are rapidly closing due to rising temperatures, with around 80% now shut. Jasna (40–90cm / 16/36") continues to offer the most terrain open.

Eastern Europe Forecast
Spring conditions dominate, with weakening freeze–thaw cycles and little to no new snowfall expected.

Scotland Report

Scottish centres faced challenging, windy conditions for much of last week but saw a notable improvement with calmer, sunnier weather towards the weekend.

Only two centres remain open. Glencoe offers limited, more challenging terrain, while Cairngorm still has around a dozen runs open on the upper mountain.

Scotland Forecast
Mild conditions continue with no new snowfall expected. The best skiing will be early in the day before snow softens significantly.