a skier on steep off piste terrain, the top of a lift station and other skiers just behind and below
Snow Report

California Cold Rush | Snow Report

Mid-February Snow Report – Thursday 15 February, 2024

Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland will see the freezing level drop from 3,000m to around 1,500m by Monday with freeze thaw conditions on piste and hard conditions off-piste. There are still pockets of softer snow up high on north facing slopes but you’ll need the knowledge and expertise of a local guide to enjoy those conditions.

Simon showing the pistes are in great shape in the Grand Massif region of France

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by simonburgessphoto@gmail.com (@simonjburgess_)

There’s a small chance of 5-10cm of new snowfall overnight Sunday into Monday, with a bigger storm system forecast to roll through from Thursday 22nd.

Conditions are much improved in the Pyrenees, Andorra, and Southern Spain after the recent snowfall and drop in temperature with the next 3-4 days seeing freeze thaw conditions on and off-piste.

two carvers very close on piste, lead by a woman smiling
Baqueira’s on-piste conditions

Baqueira Beret, Spain will see rain below 2,000m but 10-15cm of new snowfall above that.

The cold weather continues in Finland with temperatures between -10 to -20C and 10-15cm of new snowfall. Ruka is forecast to receive 20-25cm through Monday.

A glow lights up the snow pink, as a lone skier traverses across an off-piste section
Gaustablikk lit up

Norway continues to receive regular snowfall and well below freezing temperatures with Gaustablikk and Myrkdalen set to receive 21cm and 22cm respectively through Monday. It will be a similar situation in Sweden with Salen forecast to enjoy 30cm of new snowfall.

Central and Eastern Europe will see clear skies, sunshine and above freezing daytime temperatures bringing freeze thaw conditions top to bottom.

perfect corduroy, photo taken from the floor
Perfect corduroy in Gudauri

Further east, the Georgian and Turkish resorts will remain cold with a mix of sun and snow showers bringing 5-10cm of new snowfall through Monday.

There’ll be a mix of rain and snow at the Scottish resorts but piste conditions are much improved. Just pack your wet weather gear.

The East Coast of the US can expect sub zero temperatures and 5-10cm of new snowfall the next 3-4 days. Killington, Vermont is set to receive 15-20cm.

The Mountain States of the US have seen dry, powder snow conditions the past week and that looks to continue with 10-15cm forecast through Monday. Steamboat, Colorado and Jackson Hole, Wyoming (shot in the featured image) will see 25-30cm of new snowfall.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (@jacksonhole)


The western states of the US will see sub zero temperatures and 5-10cm of new snowfall through Monday.

Eastern Canada can expect sub zero temperatures and snow flurries the next three days with Tremblant, Quebec forecast to receive 15-20cm of new snowfall.

The mountain provinces of Alberta and BC will see temperatures well below freezing and clear skies.

Whistler Blackcomb can wave goodbye to the rain for another 3-4 days with freeze thaw conditions down low and chalky conditions up high.

There’s been a spike in temperature across the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido with the mercury hitting 8C yesterday. Thankfully the temperature is plummeting and 25-30cm forecast at Kiroro.

It’s a similar situation on Honshu with village rainfall turning to snow overnight into Friday.

a red snowcat gets to work on soft looking snow under a golden light
A snowcat at Happo One, Honshu, Japan gets to work on soft snow

News From Around the Ski World

The San Francisco 49ers American Football team – named to honour the legions of gold prospectors who flooded in to California in 1849 bringing fame and fortunate to themselves and the state – may have lost the Super Bowl last Sunday, but this week the Tahoe region of California is in the midst of a ‘Cold Rush’ with atmospheric rivers bringing low temperatures and heavy snowfall to the region.

Palisades Tahoe got 43cm overnight, with another 21cm forecast through Monday. And that’s at village level. At the summit they got 54cm, with 27cm on the way.

It’s a similar story at Kirkwood with 51cm overnight and 34cm through Monday.

And it’s not stopping at the northern Californian border.

The Oregon resorts of Mt Hood Meadows and Timberline further north are set to receive 39cm and 37cm respectively through Monday.

If you’re out in resort drop us a line via our social media channels to share your ‘on the snow’ experiences and photos.

We’ll be posting twice weekly snow reports on Mondays and Thursdays throughout the 2023/24 winter season, so bookmark us or better yet subscribe to get the latest snow news and our tips for where the snow will be.

Between snow reports please visit the ‘Stories’ section of our Instagram account to see the latest images and videos from ski resorts around the world.

ski teacher high fives front in line of ski school on a cloudy day
Ruka high-fives

Snow Stats From Ski Areas Around the World

Austria Interconnected Ski Areas

Ski Arlberg [St. Anton, ​St. Christoph, ​Stuben, ​Lech, Zurs, ​Warth, ​Schrocken] (84/85 lifts; 248/301km piste; 65-360cm base)
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental (80/82 lifts; 229/270km piste; 30-85cm base)
Ski Circus [Saalbach Hinterglemm, Leogang, Fieberbrunn] (69/70 lifts; 221/270km piste; 50-120cm base)
Silvretta Arena [Ischgl, Samnaun] (45/46 lifts; 214/239km piste; 60-150cm base)
KitzSki [Kitzbuhel, ​Kirchberg] (57/58 lifts; 188/188km piste; 55-95cm base)
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis (38/38 lifts; 186/186km piste; 20-140cm base)
Zillertal Arena [Zell am Ziller/, Gerlos, Konigsleiten, ​Hochkrimml] (51/52 lifts; 145/150km piste; 120-210cm base)
Hochkonig [Maria Alm, ​Dienten, ​Muhlbach] (34/34 lifts; 120/120km piste; 30-120cm base)
Snow Space Salzburg [Flachau, Wagrain, ​St. Johann-Alpendorf] (43/45 lifts; 116/120km piste; 50-130cm base)
Gurgl [Obergurgl, Hochgurgl] (22/25 lifts; 100/112km piste; 70-150cm base)
Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschonau (40/45 lifts; 92/97km piste; 15-120cm base)
Ski Optimal [Kaltenbach, Hochzillertal, ​Hochfugen] (34/40 lifts; 86/86km piste; 0-115cm base)
Dachstein West [Gosau, ​Russbach, ​Annaberg] (21/22 lifts; 51/51km piste; 25-110cm base)

Austria Ski Resorts

Axamer Lizum (7/9 lifts; 20/38km piste; 85-110cm base)
Bad Gastein (17/18 lifts; 72/82km piste; 20-120cm base)
Bad Kleinkirchheim (21/22 lifts; 90/103km piste; 35-90cm base)
Damuls Mellau (21/21 lifts; 80/81km piste; 110-170cm base)
Hintertux (19/20 lifts; 56/62km piste; 10-325cm base)
Kaunertal (6/7 lifts; 49/55km piste; 210-360cm base)
Kitzsteinhorn (21/21 lifts; 61/61km piste; 40-235cm base)
Kuhtai (12/12 lifts; 47/47km piste; 145-210cm base)
Mayrhofen (58/58 lifts; 142/142km piste; 0-100cm base)
Nassfeld (28/30 lifts; 107/110km piste; 15-110cm base)
Nauders (11/11 lifts; 75/75km piste; 50-120cm base)
Obertauern (26/26 lifts; 100/100km piste; 120-200cm base)
Schladming (44/47 lifts; 120/123km piste; 90-140cm base)
Silvretta Montafon (35/36 lifts; 136/140km piste; 20-185cm base)
Solden (29/31 lifts; 132/147km piste; 20-315cm base)
Stubai (21/26 lifts; 64/68km piste; 45-335cm base)
Tauplitz (15/17 lifts; 38/44km piste; 30-200cm base)
Zell am See (27/28 lifts; 71/77km piste; 20-140cm base)

cloud covers the high mountains of Samoens
Samoens high ground

France Interconnected Ski Areas

Three Valleys [Val Thorens, Les Menuires, ​Méribel, Courchevel] (153/156 lifts; 552/600km piste; 140-200cm base)
Portes du Soleil [Morzine, ​Avoriaz, ​Les Gets, ​Chatel, ​Morgins, ​Champery] (152/165 lifts; 520/580km piste; 15-155cm base)
Tignes / Val D’Isere (71/79 lifts; 286/300km piste; 100-380cm base)
Les Sybelles [Le Corbier, ​La Toussuire, Les Bottiere, ​St Colomban des Villards, ​St Sorlin, ​St Jean d’Arves](63/68 lifts; 246/310km piste; 5-120cm base)
Le Grand Massif [Flaine, ​Les Carroz, ​Morillon, ​Samoens, ​Sixt] (57/62 lifts; 228/265km piste; 0-410cm base)
Le Grand Domaine [Valmorel, ​Doucy, ​Celliers, ​St Francois Longchamp] (41/47 lifts; 136/165km piste; 20-165cm base)
Espace Diamant [Les Saisies, ​Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe, ​Praz sur Arly, Flumet, ​Crest-Voland] (64/82 lifts; 130/192km piste; 95-150cm base)
Espace Lumière [Pra Loup, ​Val d’Allos] (26/36 lifts; 120/180km piste; 65-135cm base)
Espace San Bernardo [La Rosiere, ​La Thuile] (35/38 lifts; 105/144km piste; 100-330cm base)
Grand Tourmalet/​Pic du Midi [La Mongie, ​Bareges] (19/29 lifts; 70/100km piste; 30-50cm base)

France Ski Resorts

Alpe d’Huez (63/69 lifts; 193/250km piste; 95-400cm base)
Chamonix (76/81 lifts; 101/120 piste; 30-290cm base)
Font Romeu (22/23 lifts; 37/58km piste; 80-80cm base)
La Clusaz (41/49 lifts; 111/125km piste; 5-195cm base)
La Plagne (72/74 lifts; 201/225km piste; 40-305cm base)
Les 2 Alpes (44/44 lifts; 200/200km piste; 20-350cm base)
Les Arcs (51/53 lifts; 184/200km piste; 50-410cm base)
Les Contamines (21/24 lifts; 110/120km piste; 0-260cm base)
Megeve (79/80 lifts; 190/263km piste; 5-125cm base)
Serre Chevalier (57/59 lifts; 230/250km piste; 20-165cm base)
Val Cenis (29/29 lifts; 117/125km piste; 55-110cm base)
Vars/Risoul (32/35 lifts; 167/185km piste; 30-145cm base)

Italy Interconnected Ski Areas

Milky Way / Via Lattea [Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx, ​San Sicario, ​Claviere, ​Montgenevre] (64/70 lifts; 292/400km piste; 165-215cm base)
Monterosa Ski [Alagna Valsesia, Gressoney-La-Trinite, ​Champoluc, ​Frachey] (19/20 lifts; 115/132km piste; 35-100cm base)
3 Zinnen Dolomites [Helm, ​Stiergarten, ​Rotwand/​Kreuzbergpass] (20/20 lifts; 86/86km piste; 30-85cm base)
Civetta [Alleghe, Selva di Cadore, Palafavera, ​Zoldo] (23/23 lifts; 71/72km piste; 35-60cm base)
Latemar [Obereggen, ​Pampeago, ​Predazzo] (18/18 lifts; 49/49km piste; 20-45cm base)

Italy Ski Resorts

Alpe di Siusi (21/21 lifts; 63/63km piste; 5-40cm base)
Alta Badia (53/53 lifts; 130/130km piste; 10-35cm base)
Arabba/Marmolada (26/26 lifts; 55/63km piste; 50-80cm base)
Bardonecchia (14/22 lifts; 80/100km piste; 45-70cm base)
Bormio (14/14 lifts; 50/50km piste; 30-100cm base)
Cortina (26/27 lifts; 110/120km piste; 40-60cm base)
Courmayeur (18/18 lifts; 35/42km piste; 70-110cm base)
Kronplatz (31/31 lifts; 121/121km piste; 30-90cm base)
Livigno (31/32 lifts; 115/115km piste; 55-115cm base)
Madesimo (7/10 lifts; 21/37km piste; 60-95cm base)
Madonna di Campiglio (57/58 lifts; 137/155km piste; 60-80cm base)
Meran 2000 (8/8 lifts; 40/40km piste; 60-90cm base)
Passo Tonale (30/30 lifts; 98/100km piste; 60-250cm base)
Pila (12/12 lifts; 65/70km piste; 30-50cm base)
San Martino di Castrozza (21/21 lifts; 58/60km piste; 15-40cm base)
Solda (11/11 lifts; 44/44km piste; 100-180cm base)
Val Gardena (79/79 lifts; 181/181km piste; 50-85cm base)

Switzerland Interconnected Ski Areas

4 Vallees [Verbier, ​La Tzoumaz, ​Nendaz, Veysonnaz, ​Thyon] (62/68 lifts; 390/412km piste; 20-255cm base)
Matterhorn [Zermatt, ​Breuil-Cervinia, Valtournenche] (43/51 lifts; 295/322km piste; 25-240cm base)

Switzerland Ski Resorts

Aletsch Arena (33/35 lifts; 78/104km piste; 95-150cm base)
Andermatt (13/13 lifts; 61/70km piste; 60-105cm base)
Arolla (5/5 lifts; 40/47km piste; 85-190cm base)
Arosa Lenzerheide (43/43 lifts; 212/225km piste; 110-120cm base)
Crans Montana (19/19 lifts; 120/140km piste; 100-160cm base)
Davos Klosters (18/18 lifts; 93/95km piste; 70-190cm base)
Engelberg-Titlis (17/17 lifts; 66/70km piste; 0-285cm base)
Flims Laax (27/28 lifts; 171/214km piste; 15-375cm base)
Grimentz Zinal (21/21 lifts; 114/115km piste; 40-130cm base)
Grindlewald Wengen (22/23 lifts; 93/102km piste; 0-90cm base)
Leukerbad (13/13 lifts; 47/47km piste; 30-220cm base)
Murren (16/16 lifts; 50/54km piste; 50-260cm base)
Saas Fee (20/23 lifts; 78/100km; 65-305cm base)
St Moritz (23/23 lifts; 152/155km piste; 10-90cm base)
Villars (23/25 lifts; 64/84km piste; 20-115cm base)

Andorra

Arcalis (14/17 lifts; 24/30km piste; 70-110cm base)
Grandvalira (66/74 lifts; 119/215km piste; 30-60cm base)
Valnord (25/32 lifts; 43/63km piste; 30-60cm base)

Spain

Baqueira Beret (35/36 lifts; 106/165km piste; 75-105cm base)
Candanchu (8/24 lifts; 17/50km piste; 20-60cm base)
Cerler (15/20 lifts; 29/80km piste; 35-50cm base)
Formigal (20/21 lifts; 65/143km piste; 20-100cm base)
La Molina (21/33 lifts; 57/145km piste; 20-40cm base)
Sierra Nevada (16/24 lifts; 49/113km piste; 20-60cm base)

snow monsters in the foreground frame a red and white striped tower at the top of a chairlift on the next mountain top, with a pastel pink sky
Ruka snow monsters and pastel skies

Nordic Resorts

Finland

Levi (26/26 lifts; 38/38km piste; 75-75cm base)
Pyha (6/9 lifts; 11/13km piste; 40-50cm base)
Ruka (19/22 lifts; 16/19km piste; 30-40cm base)
Yllas (14/26 lifts; 53/53km piste; 100-100cm base)

Norway

Beitostolen (5/6 lifts; 11/12km piste; 115-115cm base)
Gaustablikk (13/14 lifts; 30/35km piste; 80-105cm base)
Geilo (20/20 lifts; 31/34km piste; 40-70cm base)
Hafjell (18/18 lifts; 49/50km piste; 65-110cm base)
Hemsedal (21/21 lifts; 35/44km piste; 45-80cm base)
Kvitfjell (13/14 lifts; 37/39km piste; 20-80cm base)
Myrkdalen (8/9 lifts; 28/32km piste; 140-240cm base)
Narvik (5/6 lifts; 8/10km piste; 30-80cm base)
Oppdal (16/16 lifts; 56/56km piste; 30-40cm base)
Strandafjellet (4/6 lifts; 12/25km piste; 110-120cm base)
Trysil (31/31 lifts; 72/78km piste; 65-95cm base)
Voss (11/11 lifts; 39/45km piste; 175-190cm base)

Sweden

Are (31/35 lifts; 82/91km piste; 60-115cm base)
Idre Fjall (21/24 lifts; 40/41km piste; 50-75cm base)
Salen (40/40 lifts; 45/45km piste; 70-105cm base)
Vemdalen (16/16 lifts; 19/19km piste; 50-85cm base)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bjelasnica (4/7 lifts; 4/6 piste; 30-30cm base)
Jahorina (8/17 lifts; 33/52km piste; 25-25cm base)

Bulgaria

Bansko (14/14 lifts; 62/75km piste; 10-90cm base)
Borovets (11/13 lifts; 38/58km piste; 130-150cm base)
Pamporovo (12/13 lifts; 21/29km piste; 95-110cm base)

Czech Republic

Spindleruv Mlyn (13/17 lifts; 27/27km piste; 50-120cm base)

Germany

Garmisch-Partenkirchen-Zugspitze (18/18 lifts; 39/40km piste; 35-120cm base)
Oberstdorf (10/14 lifts; 34/34km piste; 30-140cm base)
Spitzingsee (9/10 lifts; 9/15km piste; 40-80cm base)
Sudelfeld-Bayrischzell (9/13 lifts; 16/31km piste; 25-80cm base)

Liechenstein

Malbun (7/7 lifts; 23/23km piste; 50-110cm base)

Poland

Bialka Tatrzanska (19/19 lifts; 17/18km piste; 50-150cm base)
Zakopane (2/4 lifts; 2/3km piste; 25-105cm base)

Romania

Poiana Brasov (7/10 lifts; 8/13km piste; 25-30cm base)

Serbia

Kopaonik (24/26 lifts; 42/55km piste; 0-25cm base)

Slovakia

Jasna (16/19 lifts; 40/51km piste; 40-100cm base)
Tatranska Lomnica (9/9 lifts; 11/11km piste; 50-80cm base)

Slovenia

Kanin-Bovec (4/10 lifts; 9/30km piste; 15-225cm base)
Kranjska Gora (4/15 lifts; 3/20km piste; 0-20cm base)
Krvavec (8/13 lifts; 15/30km piste; 0-20cm base)
Maribor (5/14 lifts; 12/35km piste; 0-15cm base)
Vogel (9/9 lifts; 6/22km piste; 0-75cm base)

A Scottish ski hill with snow fences surround a thin piste on a grey day, with two skiers skiing
Glencoe piste conditions

United Kingdom

Cairngorm Mountain (6/11 lifts; 4/32km piste; 5-15cm base)
Glencoe (3/9 lifts; 4/24km piste; 0-10cm base)
Glenshee (3/21 lifts; 1/40km piste; 10-15cm base)
The Lecht (2/13 lifts; 1/18km piste; 5-10cm base)

Georgia

Bakuriani (10/20 lifts; 18/29km piste; 60-110cm base)
Gudauri (10/15 lifts; 26/35km piste; 60-110cm base)
Tetnuldi (5/5 lifts; 13/13km piste; 60-110cm base)

Turkey

Ejder 3200 (13/13 lifts; 37/42 piste; 20-90cm base)
Erciyes (10/19 lifts; 18/34 piste; 30-90cm base)

a baby's sled is covered by an inch of fresh snow
A fresh covering in Erciyes, Turkey

USA

Alaska
Alyeska (7/7 lifts; 49/62km piste; 125-275cm base)

California
Heavenly (22/27 lifts; 86/94km piste; 50-120cm base)
Kirkwood (12/13 lifts; 64/65km piste; 75-185cm base)
Mammoth (23/25 lifts; 75/90km piste; 215-290cm base)
Northstar (15/19 lifts; 72/97km piste; 85-185cm base)
Palisades Tahoe (23/43 lifts; 150/200km piste; 105-235cm base)

Colorado
Arapahoe Basin (9/9 lifts; 78/105km piste; 70-125cm base)
Aspen Highlands (5/5 lifts; 130/135km piste; 70-155cm base)
Aspen Mountain (8/9 lifts; 103/103km piste; 40-95cm base)
Beaver Creek (24/25 lifts; 106/150km piste: 70-140cm base)
Breckenridge (35/35 lifts; 131/153km piste; 70-125cm base)
Copper (22/24 lifts; 120/126km piste; 90-165cm base)
Keystone (21/21 lifts; 117/135km piste; 60-130cm base)
Loveland (10/10 lifts; 82/93km piste; 65-110cm base)
Snowmass (18/20 lifts; 230/237km piste; 50-140cm base)
Steamboat (20/20 lifts; 165/165km piste; 70-155cm base)
Telluride (19/19 lifts; 76/88km piste; 60-145cm base)
Vail (31/34 lifts; 232/234km piste; 70-140cm base)
Winter Park (23/25 lifts; 136/143km piste; 140-175cm base)
Wolf Creek (9/11 lifts; 100/100km piste; 200-205cm base)

Idaho
Schweitzer (9/10 lifts; 89/95km piste; 65-150cm base)
Tamarack (6/7 lifts; 37/42km piste; 70-150cm base)

Maine
Sugarloaf (9/15 lifts; 77/87km piste; 25-60cm base)
Sunday River (13/20 lifts; 51/84km piste; 70-80cm base)

Montana
Big Sky (31/38 lifts; 113/250km piste; 80-105cm base)
Bridger Bowl (11/11 lifts; 65/71km piste; 25-55cm base)
Whitefish (13/16 lifts; 73/91km piste; 55-170cm base)

Nevada
Mt Rose (8/8 lifts; 54/60km piste; 100-150cm base)

New Hampshire
Attitash (8/8 lifts; 32/37km piste; 40-45cm base)
Loon (13/13 lifts; 43/49km piste; 20-40cm base)
Wildcat (4/5 lifts; 25/25km piste; 15-45cm base)

New Mexico
Taos (12/14 lifts; 93/113km piste; 60-150cm base)

Oregon
Mt Bachelor (14/15 lifts; 87/100km piste; 60-180cm base)
Mt Hood (7/12 lifts; 76/90km piste; 105-160cm base)
Timberline (6/7 lifts; 26/31km piste; 195-285cm base)

Utah
Alta (7/8 lifts; 57/71km piste; 160-350cm base)
Deer Valley (21/25 lifts; 102/103km piste; 95-190cm base)
Park City (39/42 lifts; 250/250km piste; 165-210cm base)
Powder Mountain (8/9 lifts; 68/68km piste; 90-185cm base)
Snowbird (12/14 lifts; 91/103km piste; 110-265cm base)
Solitude (9/9 lifts; 46/64km piste; 105-230cm base)

Vermont
Killington (17/22 lifts; 110/118km piste; 20-40cm base)
Okemo (20/20 lifts; 68/70km piste; 25-40cm base)
Smuggler’s Notch (6/8 lifts; 42/78km piste; 20-60cm base)
Stowe (11/12 lifts; 61/70km piste; 45-60cm base)

Washington
Crystal Mountain (7/11 lifts; 31/50km piste; 55-80cm base)
Mt Baker (6/10 lifts; 55/100km piste; 120-175cm base)

West Virginia
Snowshoe (11/12 lifts; 31/31km piste; 45-110cm base)

Wyoming
Grand Targhee (6/6 lifts; 33/35km piste; 110-225cm base)
Jackson Hole (13/13 lifts; 116/116km piste; 75-220cm base)

a skier takes a little air under a gondola
Steamboat airtime

Canada

Alberta
Castle Mountain (5/6 lifts; 61/94km piste; 50-100cm base)
Lake Louise (11/11 lifts; 115/139km piste; 55-120cm base)
Marmot Basin (6/7 lifts; 84/91km piste; 70-70cm base)
Mt Norquay (5/5 lifts; 12/16km piste; 85-95cm base)
Sunshine (12/12 lifts; 104/109km piste; 50-105cm base)

British Columbia
Big White (12/12 lifts; 104/105km piste; 70-180cm base)
Fernie (9/10 lifts; 134/142km piste; 90-185cm base)
Kicking Horse (4/5 lifts; 73/100km piste; 40-120cm base)
Kimberley (5/5 lifts; 65/80km piste; 0-90cm base)
Panorama (10/10 lifts; 98/100km piste; 55-100cm base)
Red Mountain (8/8 lifts; 118/120km piste; 100-130cm base)
Revelstoke (6/7 lifts; 55/55km piste; 90-155cm base)
Silver Star (10/10 lifts; 113/115km piste; 60-165cm base)
Sun Peaks (12/12 lifts; 133/135km piste; 45-145cm base)
Whistler Blackcomb (23/27 lifts; 180/200km piste; 10-150cm base)
Whitewater (5/5 lifts; 50/50km piste; 155-160cm base)

Ontario
Blue Mountain (11/11 lifts; 27/29km piste; 60-65cm base)

Quebec
Le Massif (9/9 lifts; 38/39km piste; 40-65cm base)
Mont Saint Anne (8/9 lifts; 61/73 piste; 50-70cm base)
Sommet-Saint-Sauveur (8/8 lift; 38/38km piste; 55-95cm base)
Stoneham (6/6 lifts; 27/34km piste; 55-75cm base)
Tremblant (13/14 lifts; 73/82km piste; 10-130cm base)

a Red Bull race start with dozens of skiers, skis with skins on in hand, running uphill
Tremblant skinning competition scenes

Japan

Hokkaido
Furano (9/9 lifts; 31/32km piste; 95-170cm base)
Kamui (6/6 lifts; 23/24km piste; 80-150cm base)
Kiroro (7/10 lifts; 12/24 piste; 70-180cm base)
Niseko United (28/32 lifts; 44/51km piste; 120-320cm base)
Rusutsu (15/18 lifts; 41/42km piste; 140-195cm base)
Sahoro (7/8 lifts; 19/25km piste; 70-130cm base)
Tomamu (6/6 lifts; 21/21km piste; 40-170cm base)

Honshu
Happo One Hakuba (20/22 lifts; 52/52km piste; 65-250cm base)
Naeba (9/15 lifts; 17/18km piste; 60-120cm base)
Nozawa Onsen (14/17 lifts; 44/44km piste; 80-210cm base)
Shigakogen (45/48 lifts; 80/83km piste; 110-270cm base)
Zao Onsen (33/35 lifts; 45/50km piste; 70-150cm base)

piste basher at the top of a piste, above a sea of clouds at dusk
Niseko nights

About the author

Mike Richards

Welsh valleys boy born & bred, Mike now lives between Cardiff and Niseko in Hokkaido, Japan where he's a pro ski instructor. Mike came to skiing later in life at 27, with his first ski season spent as a Chalet Host in Ellmau, Austria in 1993. He's skied every year since, notching up 100+ ski areas across 21 countries and five continents, including his home hill in Brecon Beacons National Park. His personal motto - "If it's snowing, I'm going..."

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