Compared with the record breaking winter of 2022/23, the desert and Western States of the US have been quite dry with Mt Rose, Nevada receiving just 152cm of total snowfall to date, a little over 1/10th of last season.
Thank goodness for sophisticated snow making systems combined with below freezing temperatures which has allowed the resorts to open most of their runs despite the ‘drought’.
But when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
And that’s exactly what skier Miles Clark has done, knocking off ‘Terminal Cancer Couloir’ in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains just before Christmas.
Thankfully things are about to change out West with a series of storms set to hit over the next week or so.
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 to see the latest images and videos from ski resorts around the world.
Forecast for the Next 3-4 Days
After 10-25cm yesterday through this morning, another 10-20cm is forecast to fall across Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland through Monday with Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes in France, and Prato Nevoso in Italy set to get a bumper 40-50cm of new snow.
The Pyrenees – Andorra and southern Spain – will finally see the snow they’ve been waiting for with 30-50cm forecast through Monday.
The Nordic countries will continue to experience frigid temperatures and clear, sunny skies. Finland will be the coldest with daytime temperatures between -20C and -30C, with Norway and Sweden marginally warmer at -10C to -20C.
Outside of the big four European destinations (Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland), Central and Eastern Europe will see light rain down low turning to 15-30 cm snow up high from Friday night.
Further east, the Georgian and Turkish resorts will remain cold and are forecast to receive between 10-15cm of new snow with Tetnuldi, Georgia expecting between 30-40cm.
The Scottish resorts will see freeze-thaw conditions through Thursday with light snow showers and sunshine.
Below freezing temperatures have returned to the East Coast of the USA with 5-15cm of snow from Saturday evening.
It’s a similar situation in the Mountain States of the USA with 10-20cm forecast through Monday and Wolf Creek, Colorado scoring big with 30-35cm expected.
The western states of the US will see a succession of storms rolling through, the first bringing 20-30cm through Monday. Mount Baker, Washington can expect 35-40cm.
Eastern Canada will see below freezing temperatures and a dusting of new snow through Monday.
The mountain provinces of Alberta and BC will see temperatures well below freezing through Monday with 5-10cm forecast.
Whistler Blackcomb’s fortunes are set to change with the freezing level dropping below the village and 20cm forecast down low and 45cm up high.
The resorts on Japan’s main island Honshu are expected to receive between 15-30cm through Monday with Nozawa Onsen scoring 50-60cm.
It’s a similar story for the Hokkaido resorts with temperatures well below freezing top to bottom, and 20-30cm forecast across the island.
What’s Open Now?
AUSTRIA
Ski Arlberg [St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Zürs, Warth, Schröcken] (80/85 lifts; 266/301km piste; 60-330cm base)
Silvretta Arena [Ischgl, Samnaun] (44/46 lifts; 225/239km piste; 80-160cm base)
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental (77/82 lifts; 222/270km piste; 35-80cm base)
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis (38/38 lifts; 206/214km piste; 30-150cm base)
Ski Circus [Saalbach Hinterglemm, Leogang, Fieberbrunn] (67/70 lifts; 200/270km piste; 40-110cm base)
KitzSki [Kitzbühel, Kirchberg] (58/58 lifts; 188/188km piste; 55-85cm base)
Zillertal Arena [Zell am Ziller/, Gerlos, Königsleiten, Hochkrimml] (50/52 lifts; 138/150km piste; 90-190cm base)
Snow Space Salzburg [Flachau, Wagrain, St. Johann-Alpendorf] (40/45 lifts; 106/120km piste; 50-140cm base)
Gurgl [Obergurgl, Hochgurgl] (20/25 lifts; 93/112km piste; 60-135cm base)
Hochkönig [Maria Alm, Dienten, Mühlbach] (33/34 lifts; 90/120km piste; 40-100cm base)
Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau (37/46 lifts; 87/97km piste; 35-130cm base)
Ski Optimal [Kaltenbach, Hochzillertal, Hochfügen] (36/39 lifts; 86/86km piste; 10-85cm base)
Dachstein West [Gosau, Russbach, Annaberg] (21/22 lifts; 51/51km piste; 20-105cm base)
Axamer Lizum (7/9 lifts; 23/38km piste; 80-100cm base), Bad Gastein (16/18 lifts; 72/82km piste; 40-130cm base), Bad Kleinkirchheim (21/22 lifts; 90/103km piste; 50-90cm base), Damuls Mellau (19/20 lifts; 75/81km piste; 110-170cm base), Hintertux (18/21 lifts; 56/62km piste; 35-225cm base), Kaunertal (6/7 lifts; 49/55km piste; 210-340cm base), Kitzsteinhorn (21/21 lifts; 56/61km piste; 40-180cm base), Kuhtai (12/12 lifts; 41/47km piste; 150-210cm base), Mayrhofen (44/44 lifts; 140/142km piste; 5-100cm base), Nassfeld (27/30 lifts; 77/110km piste; 10-80cm base), Nauders (11/11 lifts; 75/75km piste; 50-120cm base), Obertauern (26/26 lifts; 100/100km piste; 140-200cm base), Pitztal (7/7 lifts; 35/41km piste; 30-235cm base), Schladming (45/47 lifts; 120/123km piste; 50-130cm base), Silvretta Montafon (36/36 lifts; 127/140km piste; 10-170cm base), Solden (27/31 lifts; 138/147km piste; 30-275cm base), Stubai (21/26 lifts; 65/68km piste; 70-285cm base), Tauplitz (16/17 lifts; 40/44km piste; 70-190cm base), and Zell am See (26/28 lifts; 69/77km piste; 25-140cm base)
FRANCE
Les 3 Vallees [Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Meribel, Courchevel] (130/156 lifts; 478/600km piste; 120-180cm base)
Les Portes du Soleil [Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets, Châtel, Morgins, Champery] (120/165 lifts; 325/580km piste; 25-100cm base)
Tignes / Val D’Isere (77/79 lifts; 230/300km piste; 70-270cm base)
Les Sybelles [Le Corbier, La Toussuire, Les Bottière, St Colomban des Villards, St Sorlin, St Jean d’Arves](47/68 lifts; 220/310km piste; 30-60cm base)
Le Grand Massif [Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns, Sixt] (48/62 lifts; 195/265km piste; 25-320cm base)
Espace Diamant [Les Saisies, Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe, Praz sur Arly/, Flumet, Crest-Voland] (41/82 lifts; 105/192km piste; 75-110cm base)
Le Grand Domaine [Valmorel, Doucy, Celliers, St François Longchamp] (32/47 lifts; 102/165km piste; 30-110cm base)
Grand Tourmalet/Pic du Midi [La Mongie, Barèges] (17/29 lifts; 100/100km piste; 30-40cm base)
Espace San Bernardo [La Rosière, La Thuile] (27/38 lifts; 90/144km piste; 90-320cm base)
Espace Lumière [Pra Loup, Val d’Allos] (15/36 lifts; 76/180km piste; 25-90cm base)
Alpe d’Huez (63/69 lifts; 140/250km piste; 75-255cm base), Chamonix (15/17 lifts; 51/56km piste; 10-250cm base), Font Romeu (19/23 lifts; 37/58km piste; 50-50cm base), La Clusaz (28/49 lifts; 73/125km piste; 5-170cm base), La Plagne (67/74 lifts; 163/225km piste; 30-240cm base), Les 2 Alpes (33/44 lifts; 180/200km piste; 25-180cm base), Les Arcs (47/53 lifts; 180/200km piste; 35-330cm base), Les Contamines (19/24 lifts; 100/120km piste; 10-175cm base), Megeve (72/81 lifts; 190/263km piste; 20-115cm base), Serre Chevalier (55/59 lifts; 185/250km piste; 25-125cm base), Val Cenis (27/29 lifts; 105/125km piste; 30-85cm base), and Vars/Risoul (30/36 lifts; 105/185km piste; 15-120cm base)
ITALY
Vialattea [Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx, San Sicario, Claviere, Montgenèvre] (51/69 lifts; 250/400km piste; 15-35cm base)
Monterosa Ski [Alagna Valsesia, Gressoney-La-Trinité, Champoluc, Frachey] (19/20 lifts; 91/132km piste; 20-60cm base)
3 Zinnen Dolomites [Helm, Stiergarten, Rotwand/Kreuzbergpass] (20/20 lifts; 84/86km piste; 15-30cm base)
Latemar [Obereggen, Pampeago, Predazzo] (18/18 lifts; 49/49km piste; 20-45cm base)
Civetta [Alleghe, Selva di Cadore, Palafavera, Zoldo] (16/23 lifts; 32/72km piste; 5-20cm base)
Alpe di Siusi (21/21 lifts; 62/63km piste; 10-30cm base), Alta Badia (53/53 lifts; 116/130km piste; 30-45cm base), Arabba/Marmolada (26/26 lifts; 55/63km piste; 10-40cm base), Bardonecchia (12/23 lifts; 60/100km piste; 30-50cm base), Bormio (11/14 lifts; 50/50km piste; 25-95cm base), Courmayeur (18/18 lifts; 35/42km piste; 70-110cm base), Cortina (26/27 lifts; 100/120km piste; 10-25cm base), Kronplatz (31/31 lifts; 120/121km piste; 20-60cm base), Livigno (31/32 lifts; 115/115km piste; 70-110cm base), Madesimo (10/10 lifts; 30/37km piste; 25-45cm base), Madonna di Campiglio (57/58 lifts; 125/155km piste; 40-60cm base), Meran 2000 (8/8 lifts; 40/40km piste; 60-90cm base), Passo Tonale (30/30 lifts; 90/100km piste; 40-250cm base), Pila (11/12 lifts; 40/50km piste; 30-50cm base), San Martino di Castrozza (20/21 lifts; 55/60km piste; 15-40cm base), Solda (11/11 lifts; 44/44km piste; 100-180cm base), and Val Gardena (79/79 lifts; 175/181km piste; 45-60cm base)
SWITZERLAND
4 Vallées [Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz/, Veysonnaz, Thyon] (66/68 lifts; 390/412km piste; 25-180cm base)
Aletsch Arena (34/35 lifts; 73/104km piste; 95-130cm base), Andermatt (12/13 lifts; 65/70km piste; 55-90cm base), Arolla (5/5 lifts; 40/47km piste; 70-150cm base), Arosa Lenzerheide (43/43 lifts; 206/225km piste; 100-120cm base), Crans Montana (16/19 lifts; 100/140km piste; 100-180cm base), Davos Klosters (18/18 lifts; 95/95km piste; 75-175cm base), Engelberg-Titlis (17/17 lifts; 30/80km piste; 5-255cm base), Flims Laax (28/28 lifts; 188/214km piste; 30-180cm base), Grimentz Zinal (21/21 lifts; 114/115km piste; 40-130cm base), Grindlewald Wengen (22/23 lifts; 66/102km piste; 5-65cm base), Leukerbad (13/13 lifts; 45/48km piste; 30-220cm base), Murren (16/16 lifts; 36/54km piste; 45-170cm base), Saas Fee (19/23 lifts; 77/100km; 55-275cm base), St Moritz (23/23 lifts; 152/155km piste; 10-90cm base), Scuol (9/12 lifts; 62/70km piste; 35-105cm base), Villars (22/25 lifts; 64/84km piste; 15-105cm base), Zermatt (44/51 lifts; 276/322km piste; 10-200cm base)
ANDORRA
Arcalis (12/17 lifts; 17/30km piste; 30-50cm base), Grandvalira (58/74 lifts; 86/215km piste; 20-40cm base), and Valnord (26/32 lifts; 30/63km piste; 20-30cm base)
SPAIN
Baqueira Beret (35/36 lifts; 108/165km piste; 40-50cm base), Candanchu (3/24 lifts; 3/50km piste; 20-35cm base), Formigal (11/21 lifts; 17/143km piste; 20-40cm base), La Molina (15/33 lifts; 45/145km piste; 15-30cm base), and Sierra Nevada (11/24 lifts; 15/113km piste; 20-40cm base)
NORDIC RESORTS
Levi (20/26 lifts; 21/38.5km piste; 25-60cm base), Pyha (6/9 lifts; 11/13km piste; 30-40cm base), Ruka (21/22 lifts; 16/19km piste; 30-40cm base), and Yllas (11/26 lifts; 33/53km piste; 70-70cm base) in Finland
Beitostolen (4/6 lifts; 9/12km piste; 65-65cm base), Gaustablikk (10/14 lifts; 17/35km piste; 65-70cm base), Geilo (20/20 lifts; 31/34km piste; 40-70cm base), Hafjell (18/18 lifts; 49/50km piste; 50-70cm base), Hemsedal (19/21 lifts; 27/44km piste; 35-60cm base), Kvitfjell (13/14 lifts; 39/39km piste; 20-80cm base), Myrkdalen (9/9 lifts; 28/32km piste; 95-140cm base), Oppdal (12/16 lifts; 40/56km piste; 15-30cm base), Trysil (31/32 lifts; 72/78km piste; 35-55cm base), and Voss (10/11 lifts; 30/45km piste; 70-100cm base) in Norway
Are (32/35 lifts; 82/91km piste; 45-75cm base), Idre Fjall (22/24 lifts; 36/41km piste; 50-70cm base), Salen (40/40 lifts; 42/45km piste; 60-75cm base) and Vemdalen (16/16 lifts; 19/19km piste; 70-85cm base) in Sweden
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Bjelasnica (2/7 lifts; 2/6 piste; 25-25cm base) and Jahorina (3/17 lifts; 15/52km piste; 20-20cm base)
BULGARIA
Bansko (12/14 lifts; 36/75km piste; 10-70cm base), Borovets (10/13 lifts; 50/58km piste; 85-95cm base), and Pamporovo (10/13 lifts; 15/30km piste; 70-80cm base)
CZECH REPUBLIC
Špindlerův Mlýn (9/17 lifts; 21/28km piste; 15-50cm base)
GEORGIA
Bakuriani (4/20 lifts; 12/29km piste; 45-70cm base), Gudauri (10/15 lifts; 26/35km piste; 45-70cm base), and Tetnuldi (5/5 lifts; 14/14km piste; 45-70cm base)
GERMANY
Garmisch-Partenkirchen-Zugspitze (18/18 lifts; 34/40km piste; 30-90cm base), Oberstdorf (12/14 lifts; 34/34km piste; 40-125cm base), Spitzingsee (10/10 lifts; 11/15km piste; 30-80cm base), and Sudelfeld-Bayrischzell (12/13 lifts; 23/31km piste; 25-95cm base)
LIECHTENSTEIN
Malbun (7/7 lifts; 23/23km piste; 60-90cm base)
POLAND
Białka Tatrzańska (17/19 lifts; 14/18km piste; 50-150cm base) and Zakopane (3/4 lifts; 3/3km piste; 15-65cm base)
ROMANIA
Poiana Brasov (4/10 lifts; 5/14km piste; 20-30cm base)
SERBIA
Kopaonik (12/26 lifts; 17/55km piste; 10-30cm base)
SLOVAKIA
Jasna (17/19 lifts; 43/45km piste; 40-100cm base) and Tatranska Lomnica (9/9 lifts; 12/12km piste; 50-80cm base)
SLOVENIA
Kanin-Bovec (4/10 lifts; 11/30km piste; 10-120cm base), Kranjska Gora (3/15 lifts; 1/20km piste; 20-20cm base), Krvavec (5/13 lifts; 4/30km piste; 0-30cm base), Maribor (7/14 lifts; 9/35km piste; 10-30cm base), and Vogel (3/9 lifts; 1/22km piste; 0-45cm base)
TURKEY
Ejder 3200 (13/13 lifts; 36/42 piste; 10-110cm base) and Erciyes (5/19 lifts; 6/34 piste; 10-80cm base)
UNITED KINGDOM
Cairngorm Mountain (2/11 lifts; 0.2/32km piste; 0-15cm base), The Lecht (1/13 lifts; 0.2/18km piste; 10-10cm base), and Glenshee (7/21 lifts; 2/40km piste; 10-10cm base) in Scotland
UNITED STATES
Alyeska (7/7 lifts; 30/62km piste; 110-250cm base) in Alaska
Heavenly (15/27 lifts; 19/94km piste; 5-55cm base), June Mountain (6/7 lifts; 30/41km piste; 30-40cm base), Kirkwood (8/13 lifts; 28/65km piste; 35-65cm base), Mammoth (17/25 lifts; 65/90km piste; 45-65cm base), Northstar (11/19 lifts; 16/97km piste; 10-75cm base), Palisades Tahoe (23/43 lifts; 58/200km piste; 45-60cm base) and Snow Summit (6/11 lifts; 11/29km piste; 40-45cm base) in California
Arapahoe Basin (6/9 lifts; 20/105km piste; 40-60cm base), Aspen Highlands (5/5 lifts; 107/135km piste; 50-75cm base), Aspen Mountain (8/9 lifts; 82/103km piste; 20-50cm base), Beaver Creek (22/25 lifts; 60/150km piste: 40-90cm base), Breckenridge (27/35 lifts; 51/153km piste; 45-65cm base), Copper (19/24 lifts; 97/126km piste; 40-65cm base), Keystone (20/21 lifts; 59/135km piste; 25-60cm base), Loveland (7/10 lifts; 23/93km piste; 30-55cm base), Snowmass (15/20 lifts; 142/237km piste; 35-85cm base), Steamboat (17/20 lifts; 124/165km piste; 40-60cm base), Telluride (14/19 lifts; 30/88km piste; 25-55cm base), Vail (25/34 lifts; 168/234km piste; 60-95cm base), Winter Park (21/25 lifts; 106/143km piste; 60-85cm base) and Wolf Creek (9/11 lifts; 100/100km piste; 70-85cm base) in Colorado
Schweitzer (5/10 lifts; 21/95km piste; 25-75cm base) and Sun Valley (12/18 lifts; 55-70cm base) in Idaho
Sugarloaf (4/15 lifts; 16/87km piste; 10-35cm base) and Sunday River (7/20 lifts; 28/85km piste; 60-70cm base) in Maine
Big Sky (31/38 lifts; 113/250km piste; 30-40cm base), Bridger Bowl (10/11 lifts; 45/71km piste; 25-40cm base), and Whitefish (10/14 lifts; 45/91km piste; 30-90cm base) in Montana
Mt Rose (6/8 lifts; 48/60km piste; 60-120cm base) in Nevada
Attitash (6/8 lifts; 14/37km piste; 40-45cm base), Loon (10/11 lifts; 29/49km piste; 15-30cm base), and Wildcat (2/5 lifts; 4/25km piste; 5-30cm base) in New Hampshire
Taos (11/14 lifts; 51/113km piste; 40-65cm base) in New Mexico
Mt Bachelor (10/15 lifts; 54/100km piste; 50-80cm base) and Mt Hood (6/12 lifts; 45/90km piste; 45-75cm base), and Timberline (2/7 lifts; 10/31km piste; 50-90cm base) in Oregon
Alta (8/8 lifts; 61/71km piste; 90-140cm base), Deer Valley (18/25 lifts; 61/103km piste; 60-60cm base), Park City (36/42 lifts; 149/250km piste; 50-80cm base), Powder Mountain (6/9 lifts; 28/68km piste; 50-80cm base), Snowbird (12/14 lifts; 91/103km piste; 70-100cm base), and Solitude (7/9 lifts; 46/64km piste; 45-80cm base) in Utah
Killington (12/22 lifts; 52/121km piste; 5-35cm base), Okemo (18/20 lifts; 40/70km piste; 25-40cm base), Smuggler’s Notch (4/8 lifts; 15/78km piste; 20-60cm base); Stowe (9/12 lifts; 18/70km piste; 45-60cm base), and Sugarbush (11/18 lifts; 30-95cm base) in Vermont
Crystal Mountain (8/11 lifts; 32/50km piste; 30-45cm base) and Mt Baker (6/10 lifts; 45/100km piste; 65-90cm base) in Washington
Snowshoe (10/12 lifts; 18/31km piste; 45-120cm base) in West Virginia
Grand Targhee (6/6 lifts; 33/35km piste; 70-110cm base) and Jackson Hole (13/13 lifts; 58/116km piste; 10-90cm base) in Wyoming
CANADA
Castle Mountain (5/6 lifts; 35/94km piste; 20-40cm base), Lake Louise (11/11 lifts; 94/139km piste; 45-90cm base), Marmot Basin (6/7 lifts; 75/91km piste; 30-40cm base), Mt Norquay (5/5 lifts; 13/16km piste; 50-75cm base), and Sunshine (12/12 lifts; 104/109km piste; 45-75cm base) in Alberta
Big White (11/12 lifts; 45/105km piste; 30-105cm base), Fernie (10/10 lifts; 83/142km piste; 55-110cm base), Kicking Horse (5/5 lifts; 99/100km piste; 40-85cm base), Kimberley (5/5 lifts; 45/80km piste; 0-55cm base), Panorama (10/10 lifts; 98/100km piste; 40-65cm base), Red Mountian (4/8 lifts; 14/120km piste; 60-60cm base), Revelstoke (5/7 lifts; 29/55km piste; 60-110cm base), Silver Star (10/10 lifts; 85/115km piste; 45-95cm base), Sun Peaks (12/12 lifts; 106/135km piste; 20-80cm base), Whistler Blackcomb (23/27 lifts; 150/200km piste; 0-100cm base), and Whitewater (4/5 lifts; 32/50km piste; 95-100cm base) in BC
Blue Mountain (4/11 lifts; 3/29km piste; 0-30cm base) in Ontario
Le Massif (7/9 lifts; 14/39km piste; 25-45cm base), Mont Saint Anne (6/9 lifts; 12/73 piste; 35-50cm base), Sommet-Saint-Sauveur (7/8 lift; 18/38km piste; 20-50cm base), Stoneham (4/6 lifts; 9/34km piste; 35-50cm base), and Tremblant (14/14 lifts; 42/82km piste; 5-190cm base) in Quebec
JAPAN
Happo One Hakuba (13/22 lifts; 37/52km piste; 35-140cm base), Naeba (9/15 lifts; 7/19km piste; 20-40cm base), Nozawa Onsen (7/17 lifts; 8/44km piste; 30-80cm base), ShigaKogen (35/48 lifts; 62/83km piste; 40-90cm base), and Zao Onsen (32/35 lifts; 39/50km piste; 30-60cm base) on Honshu
Furano (9/9 lifts; 31/32km piste; 90-155cm base), Kamui (6/6 lifts; 22/24km piste; 90-150cm base), Niseko United (27/32 lifts; 41/51km piste; 85-200cm base), Rusutsu (15/18 lifts; 40/42km piste; 75-100cm base), Sahoro (6/8 lifts; 16/25km piste; 60-90cm base), and Tomamu (6/6 lifts; 19/22km piste; 40-145cm base) on Hokkaido
I was in Zermatt 8-16th December and we had a week of making fresh tracks in the powder with the Guide from the Matterhorn Ski Week programme. However, the one thing everyone was commenting about was why were so many lifts not running and pistes closed despite the amount of snow that had fallen. Normally all the lifts are running and all the pistes open. Occasionally, the odd piste is not yet open but this year it was as if the company running the lifts and lists was in financial difficulties and trying to save money. The rumours were rife and to get to Cervinia, if the Ventina piste is not open – it was not pisted for the first few days I was there, you have to get over by cable car ! There were no signs to direct people to the cable car and then they refuse the refund because the lift was open for one day out of seven because the cable car was running to take people down in to Cervinia ! All in all – a VERY POOR show !
Many thanks for taking the time to share your observations Ian.
Unfortunately this is an all too common practice in resorts around the world.
Low skier volume prior to the busy Christmas and New Year periods combined with higher energy costs recently has seen resorts trying to minimise operating costs as much as possible.
Thankfully the weather gods played ball during your visit and your guide was able to deliver a first class experience.