Up To A Metre Of Snowfall in Past 72 Hours in The Alps

The Alps have been transformed by a wave of heavy snowfall in recent days, setting up excellent early‑season conditions for skiers and snowboarders. Resorts across France, Switzerland and Austria are reporting accumulations that have rapidly improved slopes ahead of the busy December period. 

However, avalanche warning levels are also up – widely at level 3 (considerable) and in parts of the Western alps in France and Switzerland up at level 4 – high.

The biggest 72-hour totals so far came from resorts preparing to open in the coming weeks, including Chamonix (1 metre), Val d’Isere (81cm), Courchevel (80cm), Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes (70cm each) and  Crans Montana (60cm) and As well as these high slopes totals, snowfall has also reached valley floors for the first time this autumn. There’s been less snowfall in the Central and Eastern Alps so far but Austrian ski areas are reporting 20–40cm accumulations, with more snow forecast through the week.

Of the 30 or so ski areas open so far, there’s also an intense battle underway to open the most terrain with Austria’s Sölden leading the way so far with 98km of pistes already open, overtaking Zermatt/Cervinia’s 86km, while Ischgl has logged 20cm of new snow to kick‑start operations. 

With freezing temperatures preserving cover and much more snow forecast, it’s currently looking like a perfectly time snow event for the upcoming season.