Wishing all our readers and followers a very Merry Christmas and a snow filled winter holiday wherever you may be heading. Here’s to celebrating, with the Christmas snow report…
It’s going to be a Christmas to remember for those holidaying in Austria with widespread heavy snowfall across the country. The snow started Saturday through Sunday bringing between 60-120cm.
The big winners have been Dachstein West, Ischgl, Zillertal Arena, and Snow Space Salzburg where well over 1m of new snow fell.
France, Italy, and Switzerland continue to enjoy fantastic snow conditions with more and more terrain opening by the day.
What a difference compared with this time last season.
North America has seen steady increases in the number of lifts open and terrain available the past 3-4 days with most resorts receiving between 10-20cm of fresh snow.
The exceptions have been the North East US resorts of Maine and Vermont which had temporary closures at the end of last week due to heavy rain at the base. Temperatures have dropped and they’ve bounced back with extensive snow making repairing the pistes.
In Western Canada, the Vancouver, BC resorts of Cypress and Grouse have seen rain and significant snow loss top to bottom.
In keeping with the season, Whistler Blackcomb has been both ‘naughty and nice’ with rain and slushy slopes down low but fabulous skiing above the inversion layer up high.
It’s been a snow filled four days in Japan, with the Hakuba Valley and Myoko area resorts on Honshu receiving between 50-70cm of new snow.
Further north on Hokkaido it’s been an even better story with Niseko United, Rusutsu and Kiroro enjoying 70-90cm of the finest quality powder snow.
Christmas came early for GB’s Dave Ryding as he recorded his 7th career podium in his 3rd place finish at the Men’s Night Slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy last Friday. France’s Noel Clement came in second, with Austrian Marco Schwartz taking the win and the top spot in the Overall Men’s standings.
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.
WHAT’S OPEN NOW
AUSTRIA
Silvretta Arena [Ischgl, Samnaun] (35/46 lifts; 155/239km piste; 80-200cm base)
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental (68/82 lifts; 215/270km piste; 40-80cm base)
Ski Alberg [St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Zürs, Warth, Schröcken] (68/85 lifts; 192/301km piste; 60-360cm base)
Zillertal Arena [Zell am Ziller/, Gerlos, Königsleiten, Hochkrimml] (39/52 lifts; 132/150km piste; 60-160cm base)
KitzSki [Kitzbühel, Kirchberg] (39/58 lifts; 150/188km piste; 55-100cm base)
Ski Circus [Saalbach Hinterglemm, Leogang, Fieberbrunn] (57/70 lifts; 190/270km piste; 50-120cm base)
Gurgl [Obergurgl, Hochgurgl] (16/25 lifts; 84/112km piste; 70-140cm base)
Hochkönig [Maria Alm, Dienten, Mühlbach] (29/34 lifts; 90/120km piste; 40-100cm base)
Snow Space Salzburg [Flachau, Wagrain, St. Johann-Alpendorf] (35/45 lifts; 100/120km piste; 50-170cm base)
Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau (37/46 lifts; 76/97km piste; 35-120cm base)
Dachstein West [Gosau, Russbach, Annaberg] (20/22 lifts; 51/51km piste; 30-105cm base)
Ski Optimal [Kaltenbach, Hochzillertal, Hochfügen] (23/39 lifts; 80/86km piste; 10-80cm base)
Axamer Lizum (6/9 lifts; 23/38km piste; 80-100cm base), Bad Gastein (7/18 lifts; 72/82km piste; 50-100cm base), Bad Kleinkirchheim (15/22 lifts; 70/103km piste; 50-90cm base), Damuls Mellau (20/20 lifts; 75/81km piste; 110-170cm base), Hintertux (11/21 lifts; 56/62km piste; 55-225cm base), Katschberg (15/17 lifts; 64/80km piste; 90-180cm base), Kaunertal (6/7 lifts; 45/55km piste; 135-290cm base), Kitzsteinhorn (17/21 lifts; 50/61km piste; 40-210cm base), Kuhtai (10/12 lifts; 39/47km piste; 150-210cm base), Mayrhofen (42/44 lifts; 136/142km piste; 5-100cm base), Molltaler (7/9 lifts; 22/36km piste; 10-140cm base), Nassfeld (21/30 lifts; 63/110km piste; 10-70cm base), Nauders (11/11 lifts; 75/75km piste; 50-120cm base), Obertauern (15/26 lifts; 100/100km piste; 170-220cm base), Pitztal (5/7 lifts; 28/41km piste; 30-265cm base), Schladming (31/47 lifts; 74/123km piste; 50-120cm base), Serfaus Fiss Ladis (22/38 lifts; 65/214km piste; 60-200cm base), Silvretta Montafon (33/36 lifts; 109/140km piste; 50-190cm base), Solden (17/31 lifts; 57/147km piste; 30-310cm base), Stubai (15/26 lifts; 59/68km piste; 60-230cm base), Tauplitz (12/17 lifts; 33/43km piste; 70-190cm base), and Zell am See (20/28 lifts; 62/77km piste; 25-175cm base)
FRANCE
Les 3 Vallees [Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Méribel, Courchevel] (130/156 lifts; 478/600km piste; 100-160cm base)
Tignes / Val D’Isere (58/79 lifts; 230/300km piste; 75-270cm 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; 30-85cm base)
Les Portes du Soleil [Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets, Châtel, Morgins, Champéry] (120/165 lifts; 325/580km piste; 25-100cm base)
Espace San Bernardo [La Rosière, La Thuile] (27/38 lifts; 90/144km piste; 70-300cm base)
Espace Lumière [Pra Loup, Val d’Allos] (15/36 lifts; 76/180km piste; 30-30cm base)
Le Grand Massif [Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns, Sixt] (28/62 lifts; 99/265km piste; 55-320cm base)
Espace Diamant [Les Saisies, Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe, Praz sur Arly/, Flumet, Crest-Voland] (41/82 lifts; 105/192km piste; 60-100cm base)
Le Grand Domaine [Valmorel, Doucy, Celliers, St François Longchamp] (25/47 lifts; 130/165km piste; 15-110cm base)
Grand Tourmalet/Pic du Midi [La Mongie, Barèges] (18/29 lifts; 100/100km piste; 30-40cm base)
Alpe d’Huez (58/70 lifts; 132/250km piste; 60-240cm base), Chamonix (4/7 lifts; 9/29 piste; 10-190cm base), Font Romeu (14/23 lifts; 30/58km piste; 50-50cm base), Isola 2000 (10/20 lifts; 37/120km piste; 40-50cm base), La Clusaz (17/49 lifts; 54/125km piste; 5-160cm base), La Plagne (57/74 lifts; 163/225km piste; 30-240cm base), Les 2 Alpes (28/44 lifts; 180/200km piste; 20-200cm base), Les Arcs (43/53 lifts; 159/200km piste; 45-330cm base), Les Contamines (19/24 lifts; 105/120km piste; 10-140cm base), Serre Chevalier (45/59 lifts; 175/250km piste; 20-155cm base), Val Cenis (5/29 lifts; 41/125km piste; 30-85cm base), and Vaujany (17/17 lifts; 24/53km piste; 50-155cm base)
ITALY
Via Lattea [Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx, San Sicario, Claviere, Montgenèvre] (24/69 lifts; 94/400km piste; 20-120cm base)
Monterosa Ski [Alagna Valsesia, Gressoney-La-Trinité, Champoluc, Frachey] (16/20 lifts; 78/132km piste; 20-60cm base)
3 Zinnen Dolomites [Helm, Stiergarten, Rotwand/Kreuzbergpass] (19/20 lifts; 74/86km piste; 15-30cm base)
Latemar [Obereggen, Pampeago, Predazzo] (17/18 lifts; 45/49km piste; 20-45cm base)
Civetta [Alleghe, Selva di Cadore, Palafavera, Zoldo] (15/24 lifts; 28/72km piste; 5-20cm base)
Alpe di Siusi (21/21 lifts; 62/63km piste; 10-30cm base), Alta Badia (43/53 lifts; 83/130km piste; 20-40cm base), Arabba/Marmolada (22/26 lifts; 50/63km piste; 10-40cm base), Bardonecchia (9/23 lifts; 40/100km piste; 30-50cm base), Bormio (11/14 lifts; 41/50km piste; 25-85cm base), Courmayeur (17/18 lifts; 31/42km piste; 70-110cm base), Cortina (18/27 lifts; 50/120km piste; 10-25cm base), Kronplatz (29/31 lifts; 114/121km piste; 20-60cm base), Livigno (24/32 lifts; 115/115km piste; 60-110cm base), Madesimo (7/10 lifts; 17/37km piste; 25-45cm base), Madonna di Campiglio (53/58 lifts; 122/155km piste; 35-60cm base), Meran 2000 (7/8 lifts; 36/40km piste; 30-60cm base), Passo Tonale (30/30 lifts; 90/100km piste; 40-250cm base), Pila (11/12 lifts; 50/50km piste; 30-50cm base), San Martino di Castrozza (19/21 lifts; 50/60km piste; 10-35cm base), Solda (11/11 lifts; 40/44km piste; 100-180cm base), and Val Gardena (77/77 lifts; 175/181km piste; 45-60cm base)
SWITZERLAND
4 Vallées [Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz/, Veysonnaz, Thyon] (63/68 lifts; 362/412km piste; 30-180cm base)
Aletsch Arena (32/35 lifts; 76/104km piste; 100-130cm base), Andermatt (12/13 lifts; 59/70km piste; 55-80cm base), Arolla (4/5 lifts; 15/47km piste; 70-160cm base), Arosa Lenzerheide (39/43 lifts; 166/225km piste; 60-100cm base), Champex-Lac (4/4 lifts; 15/15km piste; 80-180cm base), Crans Montana (14/19 lifts; 100/140km piste; 100-180cm base), Davos Klosters (14/18 lifts; 93/95km piste; 75-185cm base), Engelberg-Titlis (15/17 lifts; 40/80km piste; 10-135cm base), Flims Laax (10/28 lifts; 84/214km piste; 35-305cm base), Glacier 3000 (5/11 lifts; 9/31km piste; 5-260cm base), Grimentz Zinal (21/21 lifts; 90/115km piste; 40-130cm base), Grindlewald Wengen (17/23 lifts; 53/102km piste; 10-70cm base), Leukerbad (13/13 lifts; 41/48km piste; 40-185cm base), Murren (12/16 lifts; 29/54km piste; 45-155cm base), Saas Fee (12/23 lifts; 61/100km; 50-260cm base), St Moritz (15/23 lifts; 63/155km piste; 10-90cm base), Scuol (12/12 lifts; 41/70km piste; 35-95cm base), Villars (21/25 lifts; 64/84km piste; 40-85cm base), Zermatt (39/51 lifts; 221/322km piste; 10-200cm base)
ANDORRA
Arcalis (10/17 lifts; 16/30km piste; 30-50cm base), Grandvalira (48/74 lifts; 81/215km piste; 20-40cm base), and Valnord (21/32 lifts; 30/63km piste; 25-35cm base)
SPAIN
Baqueira Beret (31/36 lifts; 101/165km piste; 40-50cm base), Candanchu (4/24 lifts; 3/50km piste; 20-40cm base), Formigal (10/21 lifts; 16/143km piste; 20-45cm 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), Ruka (21/22 lifts; 14/19km piste; 30-40cm base), and Yllas (17/26 lifts; 33/53km piste; 65-65cm base) in Finland
Beitostolen (4/6 lifts; 7/12km piste; 40-40cm base), Gaustablikk (10/14 lifts; 17/35km piste; 65-70cm base), Geilo (16/20 lifts; 19/34km piste; 40-70cm base), Hafjell (13/18 lifts; 41/50km piste; 50-60cm base), Hemsedal (17/21 lifts; 27/44km piste; 35-65cm base), Kvitfjell (12/14 lifts; 35/39km piste; 20-80cm base), Myrkdalen (7/9 lifts; 15/32km piste; 75-100cm base), Oppdal (4/16 lifts; 8/56km piste; 15-30cm base), Trysil (29/32 lifts; 63/78km piste; 35-50cm base), and Voss (6/11 lifts; 20/45km piste; 55-70cm base) in Norway
Are (31/35 lifts; 74/91km piste; 45-75cm base), Idre Fjall (20/24 lifts; 35/41km piste; 55-70cm base), Salen (40/40 lifts; 39/45km piste; 60-70cm base) and Vemdalen (16/16 lifts; 19/19 piste; 70-85cm base) in Sweden
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Bjelasnica (2/7 lifts; 1/6 piste; 25-25cm base) and Jahorina (4/17 lifts; 15/52km piste; 30-35cm base)
BULGARIA
Bansko (9/14 lifts; 28/75km piste; 10-50cm base), Borovets (8/13 lifts; 48/58km piste; 110-140cm base), and Pamporovo (10/13 lifts; 15/30km piste; 70-80cm base)
CZECH REPUBLIC
Špindlerův Mlýn (7/17 lifts; 19/28km piste; 40-80cm base)
GEORGIA
Bakuriani (3/20 lifts; 6/29km piste; 45-70cm base), Gudauri (7/15 lifts; 16/35km piste; 45-70cm base), and Tetnuldi (2/5 lifts; 5/14km piste; 45-70cm base)
GERMANY
Garmisch-Partenkirchen-
LIECHTENSTEIN
Malbun (6/7 lifts; 18/23km piste; 65-90cm base)
POLAND
Białka Tatrzańska (15/19 lifts; 18/18km piste; 50-150cm base) and Zakopane (3/4 lifts; 3/3km piste; 30-85cm base)
ROMANIA
Poiana Brasov (4/10 lifts; 5/14km piste; 20-30cm base)
SERBIA
Kopaonik (14/26 lifts; 18/55km piste; 10-35cm base)
SLOVAKIA
Jasna (8/19 lifts; 41/45km piste; 40-100cm base) and Tatranska Lomnica (6/9 lifts; 8/12km piste; 50-80cm base)
SLOVENIA
Kanin-Bovec (3/10 lifts; 11/30km piste; 15-100cm base), Kranjska Gora (3/15 lifts; 1/20km piste; 20-20cm base), Maribor (8/14 lifts; 9/35km piste; 10-30cm base), and Vogel (4/9 lifts; 2/22km piste; 10-50cm base)
TURKEY
Ejder 3200 (13/13 lifts; 35/42 piste; 10-110cm 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 (1/21 lifts; 0.1/40km piste; 0-10cm base) in Scotland
UNITED STATES
Alyeska (7/7 lifts; 30/62km piste; 110-235cm 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; 50/90km piste; 50-70cm base), Northstar (11/19 lifts; 16/97km piste; 10-75cm base), Palisades Tahoe (13/43 lifts; 62/200km piste; 45-60cm base) and Snow Summit (5/11 lifts; 8/29km piste; 40-45cm base) in California
Arapahoe Basin (4/9 lifts; 7/105km piste; 40-60cm base), Aspen Highlands (5/5 lifts; 107/135km piste; 50-75cm base), Aspen Mountain (8/9 lifts; 75/103km piste; 20-50cm base), Beaver Creek (21/25 lifts; 47/150km piste: 40-70cm base), Breckenridge (27/35 lifts; 46/153km piste; 45-55cm base), Copper (15/24 lifts; 43/126km piste; 40-70cm base), Crested Butte (6/14 lifts; 90-90cm base), Keystone (19/21 lifts; 34/135km piste; 25-55cm base), Loveland (7/10 lifts; 22/93km piste; 30-55cm base), Monarch (5/6 lifts; 55-55cm base), Snowmass (12/20 lifts; 112/237km piste; 35-75cm 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; 60-85cm base), Winter Park (21/25 lifts; 57/143km piste; 60-70cm base) and Wolf Creek (9/11 lifts; 100/100km piste; 75-80cm base) in Colorado
Schweitzer (3/10 lifts; 18/95km piste; 20-70cm base) and Sun Valley (10/18 lifts; 55-65cm base) in Idaho
Sugarloaf (4/15 lifts; 16/87km piste; 10-35cm base) and Sunday River (4/20 lifts; 18/85km piste; 60-70cm base) in Maine
Big Sky (17/38 lifts; 40/250km piste; 25-40cm base), Bridger Bowl (6/11 lifts; 41/71km piste; 25-35cm base), and Whitefish (9/14 lifts; 36/91km piste;
25-90cm base) in Montana
Mt Rose (6/8 lifts; 48/60km piste; 60-120cm base) in Nevada
Wildcat (3/5 lifts; 5/25km piste; 20-45cm base) in New Hampshire
Taos (9/14 lifts; 19/113km piste; 40-80cm 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) in Oregon
Alta (8/8 lifts; 61/71km piste; 90-140cm base), Brian Head (4/9 lifts; 50-50cm base), Deer Valley (17/25 lifts; 47/103km piste; 65-70cm base), Park City (29/42 lifts; 102/250km piste; 50-80cm base), Powder Mountain (6/9 lifts; 28/68km piste; 50-80cm base), Snowbasin (5/9 lifts; 115-115cm base), Snowbird (12/14 lifts; 91/103km piste; 70-100cm base), Solitude (7/9 lifts; 46/64km piste; 45-80cm base) and Sundance (8/8 lifts; 80-80cm base) in Utah
Killington (11/22 lifts; 48/121km piste; 5-35cm base), Mount Snow (6/26 lifts; 30-30cm base), Okemo (10/20 lifts; 20/70km 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 (5/18 lifts; 30-90cm base) in Vermont
Crystal Mountain (7/11 lifts; 19/50km piste; 30-45cm base) and Mt Baker (6/10 lifts; 45/100km piste; 65-80cm base) in Washington
Snowshoe (10/12 lifts; 15/31km piste; 45-115cm base) in West Virginia
Grand Targhee (6/6 lifts; 33/35km piste; 70-110cm base) and Jackson Hole (13/13 lifts; 59/116km piste; 15-95cm base) in Wyoming
CANADA
Castle Mountain (3/6 lifts; 6/94km piste; 20-40cm base), Marmot Basin (5/7 lifts; 21/91km piste; 25-40cm base), Mt Norquay (5/5 lifts; 13/16km piste; 50-75cm base), Lake Louise (11/11 lifts; 94/139km piste; 45-90cm base) and Sunshine (11/12 lifts; 96/109km piste; 45-85cm base) in Alberta
Big White (11/12 lifts; 25/105km piste; 30-100cm base), Fernie (9/10 lifts; 83/142km piste; 55-115cm base), Kicking Horse (4/5 lifts; 76/100km piste; 40-95cm base), Kimberley (5/5 lifts; 40/80km piste; 0-50cm base), Panorama (10/10 lifts; 98/100km piste; 40-70cm base), Revelstoke (4/7 lifts; 29/55km piste; 65-110cm base), Silver Star (7/10 lifts; 43/115km piste; 45-85cm base), Sun Peaks (10/12 lifts; 90/135km piste; 15-70cm base), Whistler Blackcomb (19/27 lifts; 90/200km piste; 5-85cm base), and Whitewater (4/5 lifts; 17/50km piste; 90-95cm base) in BC
Blue Mountain (3/11 lifts; 5/29km piste; 25-30cm base) in Ontario
Le Massif (5/9 lifts; 7/39km piste; 35-45cm base), Mont Saint Anne (4/9 lifts; 9/73 piste; 35-50cm base), Sommet-Saint-Sauveur (6/8 lift; 14/38km piste; 30-50cm base) and Tremblant (9/14 lifts; 38/82km piste; 10-180cm base) in Quebec
JAPAN
Happo One Hakuba (7/22 lifts; 9/52km piste; 10-170cm base), Nozawa Onsen (7/17 lifts; 8/44km piste; 10-125cm base), ShigaKogen (17/48 lifts; 23/83km piste; 40-80cm base), and Zao Onsen (8/35 lifts; 8/50km piste; 25-50cm base) on Honshu
Furano (7/9 lifts; 25/32km piste; 80-130cm base), Kamui (5/6 lifts; 15/24km piste; 60-100cm base), Niseko United (22/32 lifts; 34/51km piste; 75-220cm base), Rusutsu (12/18 lifts; 27/42km piste; 80-110cm base), Sahoro (5/8 lifts; 11/25km piste; 50-60cm base), and Tomamu (5/6 lifts; 16/22km piste; 30-90cm base) on Hokkaido
FORECAST FOR THE NEXT 3-4 DAYS
The freezing level will climb above 2000m in Austria, France, Italy, and Switzerland through Thursday bringing above freezing temperatures and a mix of sunshine and cloudy skies.
The Pyrenees and Andorra will continue to enjoy above freezing temperatures and sunny skies through to Thursday, with the next snow cycle not set to return until the New Year.
The Nordic countries will see continued snowfall over the coming days with temperatures well below freezing maintaining the excellent conditions. The Norwegian resorts of Gaustablikk, Myrkdalen, and Voss could see between 30-50cm of new snow in the next storm cycle.
Outside of the big four European destinations (Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland), central and eastern Europe will see temperatures well above freezing with clear skies and sunshine.
Jasna, Slovakia is the exception with 10-20cm forecast up high and rain at village level.
Further east, the Georgian resorts will remain cold and are forecast to receive between 30-40cm of new snow.
The Scottish resorts will finally see sustained low temperatures and snowfall through Thursday and beyond, with 10-20cm forecast through Thursday.
The East coast of the US will see freeze thaw conditions and sunny skies through to Thursday.
The Mountain states of the US will enjoy below freezing temperatures and clear skies through to Wednesday with a slight warming on Thursday.
The Western states of the US will see a mix of weather in the next 3-4 days. California will enjoy sunshine and freeze thaw conditions. Oregon and Washington will see snow up high and rain down low, with Crystal Mountain forecast to receive between 20-30cm of new snow.
Eastern Canada will see freeze thaw conditions followed by rain at all levels from Wednesday.
The mountain provinces of Alberta and BC will see temperatures well below freezing through to Thursday, with light snowfalls of between 5-15cm.
The freezing level is forecast to hover between 1000-1400m at Whistler Blackcomb bringing heavy rain below mid-mountain but 50-80cm of new snow up high. Thank goodness for gondolas from the base!
Temperatures will remain well below freezing in Japan with snow forecast for the next 3-4 days. The Honshu resorts are set to receive between 15-30cm of new snow, with the Hokkaido resorts expecting considerably more. Niseko United, Rusutsu and Kiroro are forecast to receive between 35-60cm of new snow in the first half of this week.
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