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Ski resorts with the best snow coverage ❄

Pierre Giraud 0 Comments

Ski resorts with the best snow coverage :

In order to carry out this evaluation (score out of 10)Several criteria are taken into account, such as the altitude of the domain, the exposure, the local meteorological particularities, as well as the presence (or not) of snow cannons.

Ski resort Mountain Average altitude
of the Ski Area		 Altitude high
(in m)		 Snow of culture
(in ha)		 Snowmaking capacity of the massif
Score / 10
Val Thorens Northern Alps 2765 3230 48 10
Val d’Isère Northern Alps 2653 3456 80 10
Alpe d’Huez Northern Alps 2580 3300 88 10
The Colmiane Southern Alps 1600 1800 0 10
Tignes Northern Alps 2500 3450 175 10
Les 2 Alpes Northern Alps 2475 3600 60 10
Auris en oisans Northern Alps 2450 3300 88 10
Peisey Vallandry Northern Alps 2450 3250 42 10
Bonneval sur Arc Northern Alps 2400 3000 60 10
La Rosière 1850 Northern Alps 2325 2800 40 9
Isola 2000 Southern Alps 2305 2610 40 9
Risoul Southern Alps 2300 2750 180 9
Orcières Merlette Southern Alps 2288 2725 204 9
Saint Véran Southern Alps 2285 2830 19 10
Molines en Queyras Southern Alps 2285 2830 19 9
Montgenèvre Southern Alps 2280 2700 30 9
Champagny en Vanoise Northern Alps 2250 3250 30 10
La Plagne Northern Alps 2250 3250 329 10
Montchavin – La Plagne Northern Alps 2250 3250 132 10
Vaujany Northern Alps 2225 2800 115 9
Les Arcs Northern Alps 2213 3226 130 10
Val d’Allos Southern Alps 2200 2600 30 9
Vars Southern Alps 2200 2750 180 9
Chamonix Northern Alps 2159 3275 65 9
Les Menuires Northern Alps 2150 2850 170 10
Saint Martin de Belleville Northern Alps 2150 2850 170 10
Valfréjus Northern Alps 2144 2737 30 9
Les Orres Southern Alps 2135 2720 110 9
Aussois Northern Alps 2125 2750 36 9
Gavarnie Gèdre Pyrenees 2125 2400 0 9
Sainte Anne la Condamine Southern Alps 2115 2400 0 9
Saint Lary Soulan Pyrenees 2100 2500 322 9
Cauterets Pyrenees 2090 2450 15 9
Luz Ardiden Pyrenees 2090 2500 32 9
Valloire Northern Alps 2090 2750 36 9
Valmeinier Northern Alps 2090 2750 36 9
Sainte Foy Tarentaise Northern Alps 2085 2620 9 9
Ceillac in Queyras Southern Alps 2075 2450 6 9
Crévoux Southern Alps 2075 2550 20 9
Les Karellis Northern Alps 2060 2520 10 9
Saint Sorlin d’Arves Northern Alps 2060 2620 81 9
Orelle Northern Alps 2050 3200 49 10
Flaine Northern Alps 2050 2500 40 9
Formiguères Pyrenees 2050 2400 0 9
La Norma Northern Alps 2050 2750 34 9
Le Chazelet Southern Alps 2050 2300 6 9
Puymorens Span Pyrenees 2050 2500 48 9
Puy-Saint-Vincent Southern Alps 2050 2700 40 9
Val Cenis Northern Alps 2050 2800 20 9
La Tania Northern Alps 2041 2732 218 9
Meribel Northern Alps 2026 2952 217 10
Auron Southern Alps 2025 2450 94 9
Les Angles Pyrenees 2025 2400 138 9
Cambre d’Aze Pyrenees 2020 2400 0 9
Piau Engaly Pyrenees 2010 2600 40 9
Abriès en Queyras Southern Alps 2000 2450 4 9
Les Agudes Pyrenees 2000 2400 90 9
Peyresourde Pyrenees 2000 2400 90 9
Pra-Loup Southern Alps 2000 2500 65 9
Saint Francis Longchamp Northern Alps 2000 2550 34 9
Serre Chevalier Southern Alps 2000 2800 158 9
Superdevoluy / La Joue du Loup Southern Alps 2000 2500 30 9
Doucy Northern Alps 1975 2550 45 9
Valmorel Northern Alps 1975 2550 45 9
Barèges Pyrenees 1950 2500 100 9
La Mongie Pyrenees 1950 2500 100 9
Oz en oisans Northern Alps 1950 2800 115 9
Font-Romeu – Bolquère – Pyrenees 2000 Pyrenees 1932 2213 95 9
Montclar les 2 valleys Southern Alps 1925 2500 35 9
Courchevel Northern Alps 1919 2738 282 9
Ax 3 Domains Pyrenees 1900 2400 28 9
Beille Pyrenees 1900 2000 0 9
Gourette Pyrenees 1900 2450 48 9
Sauze Super Sauze Southern Alps 1900 2400 35 9
Valberg Southern Alps 1900 2100 10 9
Arvieux en Queyras Southern Alps 1898 2105 4 8
Pralognan la Vanoise Northern Alps 1883 2355 48 8
The 7 Laux Northern Alps 1875 2400 650 8
Bessans Northern Alps 1870 2000 0 8
La Toussuire Northern Alps 1860 2620 55 8
Le Corbier Northern Alps 1860 2620 28 8
Saint Colomban des Villards Northern Alps 1860 2620 48 8
Saint Jean d’Arves Northern Alps 1860 2620 30 8
Reallon Southern Alps 1853 2146 0 8
La Pierre St Martin Pyrenees 1840 2153 19 8
Saint Gervais Mont-Blanc Northern Alps 1838 2525 97 8
Chamrousse Northern Alps 1825 2250 51 8
Les Contamines Montjoie Northern Alps 1805 2450 50 8
Albiez Montrond Northern Alps 1800 2100 23 8
Ascou Pailhères Pyrenees 1800 2100 6 8
Chabanon Southern Alps 1800 2050 30 8
Chaillol Southern Alps 1800 2000 0 8
La Grave la Meije Southern Alps 2500 3560 0 9
Villard Reculas Northern Alps 1798 2115 30 8
Luchon Superbagnères Pyrenees 1794 2122 48 8
Serre Eyraud Southern Alps 1790 2100 5 8
Val Louron Pyrenees 1783 2100 18 8
Alpe du Grand Serre Northern Alps 1776 2184 10 8
Brides les Bains Northern Alps 1775 2950 101 10
The Collet of Allevard Northern Alps 1775 2100 13 8
Vallouise-Pelvoux Southern Alps 1775 2300 35 8
La Clusaz Northern Alps 1770 2500 88 8
Beuil les Launes Southern Alps 1765 2100 20 8
Céüze Southern Alps 1765 2000 0 8
Mijanès – Donezan Pyrenees 1765 2000 2 8
Puyvalador Pyrenees 1760 1820 20 8
Turini Silver Camp Southern Alps 1760 1920 0 8
Artouste Pyrenees 1750 2100 0 8
Nistos Pyrenees 1744 1887 10 8
Morzine Northern Alps 1733 2466 98 8
Ghisoni Corsica 1725 1870 0 8
Avoriaz Northern Alps 1714 2277 112 8
Areches Beaufort Northern Alps 1700 2320 14 8
The Olmes Mountains Pyrenees 1700 2000 40 8
Megeve Northern Alps 1700 2350 172 8
Goulier Pyrenees 1675 1850 0 8
Ristolas in Queyras Southern Alps 1675 1700 0 7
Val Pelens Southern Alps 1675 1750 0 7
Montriond Northern Alps 1660 2350 57 8
Roubion – Les Buisses Southern Alps 1660 1920 0 8
Hautacam Pyrenees 1657 1813 0 8
Ventoux – Mont Serein Southern Alps 1656 1912 0 8
Chatel Northern Alps 1650 2200 77 8
Crest Voland Cohennoz Northern Alps 1650 2069 25 8
Camurac Pyrenees 1650 1800 6 7
Saint Léger les Mélèzes Southern Alps 1630 2000 0 8
Rousset Pass Northern Alps 1625 1900 0 8
Praz de Lys Sommand Northern Alps 1625 2000 15 8
Les Carroz Northern Alps 1620 2100 41 8
Manigod Northern Alps 1620 1780 19 7
Lans en Vercors Northern Alps 1614 1807 6 8
Les Saisies Northern Alps 1610 2069 15 8
Our Lady of Bellecombe Northern Alps 1610 2070 15 8
Le Mourtis Pyrenees 1605 1860 10 8
Besse Super Besse Central Massif 1600 1850 50 8
Greolières les Neiges Southern Alps 1600 1800 0 8
Guzet Pyrenees 1600 2100 0 8
The Audibergue – La Moulière Southern Alps 1600 1800 0 8
Morillon Northern Alps 1600 2500 20 8
Samoëns Northern Alps 1600 2500 20 8
Villard de Lans Northern Alps 1597 2050 38 8
Les Bottières Northern Alps 1590 1900 30 8
Les Gets Northern Alps 1587 2002 126 8
Corrençon en Vercors Northern Alps 1581 2050 38 8
Ancelle Southern Alps 1579 1807 0 8
The Semnoz Northern Alps 1577 1704 0 7
Laye en Champsaur Southern Alps 1575 1850 0 8
La Giettaz Northern Alps 1565 1930 17 8
Combloux Northern Alps 1557 1930 42 8
Praz sur Arly Northern Alps 1552 2069 0 8
Le Grand Bornand Northern Alps 1550 2100 95 8
Le Grand Puy Southern Alps 1550 1800 0 8
Passy Plaine Joux Northern Alps 1550 1750 25 7
Chastreix Sancy Central Massif 1540 1730 0 7
Larche Southern Alps 1531 1657 0 7
Needles in Queyras Southern Alps 1530 1610 3 7
Le Mont Dore Central Massif 1525 1850 20 8
Les Estables – Mezenc Central Massif 1520 1690 0 7
Bramans Northern Alps 1515 1800 0 8
Le Lioran Central Massif 1505 1850 95 8
Bernex Northern Alps 1500 2000 16 8
La Sambuy Northern Alps 1500 1850 0 8
Thollon les Memises Northern Alps 1500 2000 10 8
Gresse en Vercors Northern Alps 1498 1751 17 7
The Chioula Pyrenees 1483 1725 0 7
Le Bleymard – Mont Lozère Central Massif 1480 1600 0 7
Col de Porte Northern Alps 1478 1700 0 7
Font d’Urle Northern Alps 1475 1700 0 7
Val d’Azun Pyrenees 1475 1600 0 7
Aillons Margeriaz Northern Alps 1450 1900 0 8
Savoie Grand Revard Northern Alps 1450 1550 0 7
Les Houches Northern Alps 1445 1900 30 8
Pond of Lers Pyrenees 1435 1570 0 7
Les Rousses Jura 1420 1680 18 7
Alti Aigoual Central Massif 1409 1567 7 7
The Chapel of Abondance Northern Alps 1400 1800 20 8
Romme Northern Alps 1390 1580 0 6
Chalmazel Central Massif 1382 1634 13 6
The Cross of Bauzon Central Massif 1381 1511 0 6
Autrans Northern Alps 1380 1710 0 6
Marcieu pass Northern Alps 1375 1550 6 6
Bellevaux – Hirmentaz Northern Alps 1355 1610 10 6
Saint Pierre de Chartreuse / Le Planolet Northern Alps 1350 1800 0 8
Roc d’Enfer – St Jean d’Aulps Northern Alps 1350 1800 38 7
Abundance Northern Alps 1340 1730 20 6
Prabouré Central Massif 1333 1400 0 6
Flumet – St Nicolas la Chapelle Northern Alps 1325 1650 30 6
Lus la Jarjatte Northern Alps 1325 1510 0 6
Méaudre Northern Alps 1306 1600 7 6
Laguiole Central Massif 1304 1407 0 6
Cord Northern Alps 1300 1600 15 6
The Desert of Entremont Northern Alps 1300 1400 0 6
Brameloup Central Massif 1295 1390 0 6
Menthières Jura 1292 1534 0 6
Le Reposoir Northern Alps 1290 1600 10 6
Jura Mountains Jura 1290 1680 33 6
The Coulmes Northern Alps 1264 1463 0 6
Les Habères Northern Alps 1250 1600 0 6
Mount Saxonnex Northern Alps 1250 1500 0 6
Les Plans d’Hotonnes – Plateau de Retord Jura 1225 1350 0 6
The Granier Northern Alps 1210 1420 0 6
Ornon Pass Northern Alps 1205 1350 0 6
The Brasses Northern Alps 1200 1500 40 6
Saint Hilaire du Touvet Northern Alps 1200 1400 9 6
Les Fourgs Jura 1185 1270 2 6
Métabief Mont d’Or Jura 1180 1460 36 6
The Markstein Vosges 1177 1267 0 6
The Schlucht Vosges 1173 1246 1 6
Le Sappey en Chartreuse Northern Alps 1155 1350 0 6
Gaschney 360 Vosges 1135 1290 0 6
Montmin – Col de la Forclaz Northern Alps 1135 1180 0 5
The Schnepfenried Vosges 1134 1258 6 6
Bellefontaine Alpine Space Jura 1131 1261 0 6
La Bresse Hohneck Vosges 1125 1350 9 6
The Guards Lodge Central Massif 1080 1160 0 5
The Source of the Doubs – Mouthe Jura 1050 1172 0 5
White Lake Vosges 1050 1200 20 5
La Planche des Belles Filles Vosges 1049 1148 0 5
La Bresse Lispach Vosges 1015 1120 12 5
Ventron Vosges 1010 1150 3 5
The Equals Northern Alps 1000 1100 0 5
Sixt Horseshoe Northern Alps 1000 1200 20 5
The Ballon d’Alsace Vosges 985 1150 10 4
Saint Jean de Sixt Northern Alps 970 1000 40 4
La Combe Saint Pierre Jura 958 1035 0 4
Gérardmer Vosges 950 1150 10 4
The Grand Valtin Vosges 945 1139 0 4
La Bresse Brabant Vosges 940 1000 0 4
Saint Maurice sur Moselle Vosges 905 1260 2 4
The Field of Fire Vosges 900 1100 41 4
Bussang – Larcenaire Vosges 896 970 10 3
Xonrupt – Le Poli Vosges 893 980 0 3

The rating of snowmaking capacity is an evaluation, based on the average and maximum altitude, the orientation of the ski area, as well as the local characteristics (hydrometry). I also took into consideration the snowmaking history, in order to have the maximum historical consistency.

Questions & Answers

Which ski resort has the best snow coverage?

The record for snowfall in France is at Flaine in the Alps, with a record of 420m of cumulative snowfall, over one winter, for a record at 2450m.

Which resort to see snow in summer ?

In the resorts of Tignes, Val d’Isère and Les 2 Alpes, you can find a glacierrespectively at more than 3000m of altitudeand which remain relatively snowy, on a layer of iceduring the summer. It is even possible to ski there.

Which resort has the best snow in the Pyrenees?

The resort of Piau-Engaly has the best snow coverage in the Pyrenees, notably thanks to thealtitude of its ski area, which goes up to 2600m.

Which ski resort has the most snow?

The ski resort of Val Thorens is at 2300 of altitude, and is the resort of France, where you will have the best chance to have a sufficient snow cover to be able to ski. It is also the highest resort in France.

Which resort has the most artificial snow?

La Plagne is the ski resort with the largest area of its ski area covered with artificial snow. There are 329 hectares of artificial snow.

Where to ski in November?

Tignes, Les 2 Alpes, or Val d’Isère are the resorts that open their ski areas the earliest, because they have a glacier above 3 000mwhich allows them to have sufficient snow cover for skiing, and present early in the season.

Where to ski in April?

Tignes, Les 2 Alpes, Val d’Isère, Chamonix or Alpe d’Huez are the resorts that benefit from the best snow cover in spring, because their ski areas exceed the 3000m of altitudewhere the snow melts less quickly, and is more likely to fall.

On which French glaciers is it possible to ski ?

It is possible to ski on the glaciers of Tignes, Val d’Isere or the one of 2 Alpsand thus to benefit from the altitude and the presence of the ice underneath, in order to be able to ski even in spring, or in autumn.

What is the percentage of ski runs with artificial snow?

In France, 29% of ski runs have snow cannon, and can thus create artificial snow, in case of negative temperaturebut from lack of snow.

How do you create artificial snow?

Snowmaking consists of spraying water droplets at high pressure into air at negative temperature, from preferably from -2°.

Is artificial snow ecological?

To make artificial snow, you need electricity and water. 1 cubic meter of water makes 2 cubic meters of snow. 65% of the French snow comes from dams at altitude, and the rest comes from underground sources, which man also uses for his consumption. The necessary electrical consumption is equivalent to 2.1w / day and per skier.

What is the cost of snowmaking for ski resorts?

On average, 1 cubic meter of snow costs 1 euro to the resort. The most expensive part is the installation of the snow cannons on the slopes, and the cost of electricity. The electricity consumption is not negligible and raises ecological questions.

What is the highest ski run in Europe?

It is the Kleine Matterhorn glacier in Switzerland, with a starting altitude of 3883m. It is the highest ski run in Europe, surrounded by several peaks exceeding 4000m. The view on the Matterhorn is grandiose.

Where to ski in summer in Europe ?

The Kleine Matterhorn glacier in Switzerland is the only one that is truly open all summer, and where it is possible to ski at 3 883m. There is also the glacier of Tignes and 2 Alpes, but they sometimes close in August and September, depending on the weather and the snow cover.

How will the snow cover evolve with global warming ?

The rise in temperature should have a negative impact on snowmaking and the reduction of glaciers, however, not all mountain ranges will be as affected, since there is another factor to consider: hydrometry. Thus, it is preferable to invest in the massifs above 1800m of altitude.

What are the alternatives to snow?

There are resorts that offer plastic coverings, also to allow skiing in the summer, but these facilities are highly criticized from an ecological point of view, because they contribute to the artificialization of the soil.

Videos

Bonus: what is my favorite station?

It’s Les Arcs 1800, because there is a TGV link, directly from Paris, and it’s a resort that I frequent both in winter (see my ski rental in Arc 1800), and in summer as well, where hiking is very pleasant, and also the possibility to climb some cycling passes in the surroundings, and many shops that remain open in the resort.

Translated from the french original version : https://skidata.io/station-de-ski/domaine-skiable/enneigement/?rand=9113

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