Each winter we provide detailed overviews of conditions around the world, from resort specific details to general weather patterns for each country.
Check back this winter for the latest conditions for your next winter adventure.
Updated: 24th September 2021
As the Jet Stream is running directly west to east across northern Europe this week, it is pinning a large body of high pressure over the western Mediterranean maintaining fine conditions across the Alps. As the stream breaks down towards the end of this week, however, an area of low pressure moves in from the west and brings with it the promise of snow.
Flurries will brush the highest glaciers this weekend. However, with the freezing line plummeting to nearly 1,000m in the coming days, this will usher in the first consistent snow of the year. Central Austria, around the confluence of Salzburg, Upper Austria and Styria, are expected to see just shy of 10 cm by the first week of October.
Updated: 24th September 2021
As the Jet Stream is running directly west to east across northern Europe this week, it is pinning a large body of high pressure over the western Mediterranean maintaining fine conditions across the Alps. As the stream breaks down towards the end of this week, however, an area of low pressure moves in from the west.
Snowfall will be limited in France compared to the higher Austrian Alps. However, the highest mountains around Chamonix will see around 4cm this weekend, with more flurries towards the beginning of October.
Updated: 24th September 2021
As the Jet Stream is running directly west to east across northern Europe this week, it is pinning a large body of high pressure over the western Mediterranean maintaining fine conditions across the Alps. As the stream breaks down towards the end of this week, however, an area of low pressure moves in from the west.
Much like France, Switzerland is only expecting a few flurries across the very highest points. The main Alpine ridge near Gstaad and Crans Montana, as well as around Laax and Flims, will see just under 5cm in the coming week.
Updated: 24th September 2021
As the Jet Stream is running directly west to east across northern Europe this week, it is pinning a large body of high pressure over the western Mediterranean maintaining fine conditions across the Alps. As the stream breaks down towards the end of this week, however, an area of low pressure moves in from the west.
Western Italy will see a similar pattern to France and Switzerland, with flurries dusting the very highest points around Mont Blanc. The East will be a different story, with the massif immediately north of Bolzano seeing consistent light snow towards October and more flurries across the high points around Cortina and Corvara.
The Pyrenees also saw heavy snowfalls last week, resulting in some excellent skiing conditions in Andorra for this week. There was further light snowfall on Monday and moderate amounts of new snow are forecast for the rest of this week. Snowfall was below average prior to March and the heavy March snow has still not managed to ensure that snow conditions are reliable on the lower parts of the mountain. Head to the upper parts of the mountain for reliable conditions where base depths of snow are just under two metres in Vallnord and Grandvalira.
The snow is hard packed across Scandinavia. There was not as much snow as in other parts of Europe but there was just enough to leave the snow in good condition. Most Norweigan resorts will see moderate amounts of fresh snow on each of the next three days – Geilo will see the heaviest snowfall of all the resorts with 30cm expected to fall on Wednesday. Voss is offering the best conditions in Norway with a base depth of snow of 280cm on upper pistes.
Fresh snow fell in Finland on Monday. Just under 20cm of further snow will fall over the next few days. It is a similar picture in Sweden with the snow over the next few days. Conditions are generally good in both countries for this time of the year.
The first flurry of snow return to the highest parts of the Alps over the previous couple of weeks, aided by the freezing level dropping below 3,000m. This will provide a useful dusting for the high glaciers still hosting skiing and preserve their snow stocks for a few more weeks.
With the freezing level returning to above 4,000m this week, a return to summer normality can be expected. The Jet Stream is currently position directly over the Alps, crossing East Anglia and the low countries before executing a sharp U-turn and heading into the Baltic over Poland – this is working to bring a high-pressure area over the Alps, bringing generally fine weather for the end of this week (20th August).
The conditions are now the best they have been all season in Eastern Europe following heavy snowfall last week. Bansko in Bulgaria received 90cm of snow on Thursday and Friday last week, leading to some excellent conditions over the weekend. Bansko will receive a smattering of fresh snow on Tuesday, further improving conditions. Borovets will also see fresh snow on Tuesday, followed by some sun on Wednesday and Thursday, making it a great time to ski in the resort.
Other parts of Eastern Europe, such as Slovakia and Slovenia, did not receive as much snow as Bulgaria last week and as a result conditions are not quite as good. Jasna in Slovakia is still reliant on artificial snow.
Some fantastic skiing conditions can be found in Scotland this week after a fantastic start to March in terms of snowfall. Glencoe and Nevis Range are set to receive significant amounts of snow over the next few days, further boosting the conditions. Most of the snow will fall on Wednesday. It should be a fantastic weekend to head to the Highlands.
US resorts have not seen the levels of snowfall that European resorts have at the beginning of March but this is not a big issue as the snowfall was excellent during January and February. There has still been fresh snow across most parts.
A storm brought a few inches of snow to parts of Colorado and Utah. Conditions are therefore excellent this week with some great powder skiing on offer. No fresh snow is forecast in most parts of Colorado and Utah over the next few days. There should be plenty of sun, particularly on Thursday and Friday, meaning it is a good time to book a trip to the area.
California has had the most fresh snow in the US during the past week. There was around 50cm of fresh snow in the latter part of last week in Squaw. The middle part of this week will bring mild temperatures and no new snow but a storm could move into the area over the weekend bringing further fresh snow.
A sunny Wednesday and Thursday is forecast for Jackson Hole in Wyoming and Big Sky in Montana, giving perfect conditions in which to enjoy the excellent spring skiing. The weekend is forecast to bring snow to Jackson Hole.
Across on the East Coast, fresh snow fell on Friday. This week will bring some further light snow which is forecast to get heavier on Friday before clearing over the weekend.
Updated: 24th September 2021
A significant low-pressure area over Anchorage, Alaska, is being powered into the Pacific Northwest by the Polar Jet Stream, bringing with it a terrific weather front, plunging temperatures and bringing the first considerable snowfall for the north western seaboard and Rockies.
The highest points of the coast range have seen several inches of snow in the past week with more expected as temperatures drop from 15˚C to 1˚C almost overnight. Lower down however, precipitation will remain as rain affecting resorts such as Whistler. Further inland, the Canadian Rockies have received a blanket of snow with 4in expected on the highest points. Rising temperatures at lower levels means this is unlikely to hang around.
Out East, the weather remains fine, with little to no prospect of snow in the coming weeks.
It has been an unusually snow light season for Japan but base depths continue to get deeper – Niseko now has a base depth of over 3m. Niseko, Rusutsu and Hakuba will all receive a moderate amount of fresh snow over the next few days.
