Ski resorts with best chances of snow amidst warmer winters including Austria
A ski expert has highlighted the resorts she predicts are most likely to have good snow this winter, including the likes of Val d'Isère.
Lizzie Nelson, Nelson Travel ski consultant, said: "Recent reports highlight that over a quarter of European ski resorts could be set to struggle for snow again this year and in the future, but people should not be put off taking a ski holiday this winter. While some resorts are undoubtedly going to struggle, there will also be plenty of snow-sure destinations to head to in the forthcoming season."
The effects of climate change were keenly felt by some resorts where unseasonably warmer temperatures made for less-than-perfect snow conditions.
The Royal Meteorology Society warned that "rising temperatures and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns have led to less reliable snowfall and a greater risk of rain during the winter months".
They added: "Resorts in the Alps with a base elevation below 1,500m are the most vulnerable in terms of survival. The ski industry, long aware of these challenges, is now grappling with the reality that the effects of climate change are no longer a distant concern but an immediate threat to their businesses."
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The ski season was tough last winter (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Some famous resorts have been hit particularly hard, such as Les Arcs in France where the snowline is shifting upwards and snow-making machines are being relied on more and more on the lower slopes.
In Kitzbühel, Austria the ski season is getting smaller despite increased use of artificial ice, while Spain's Sierra Nevada has experienced decreasing snowfall levels and a shrinking ski season, prompting it to invest in more snowmaking equipment.
Soelden in Austria has witnessed retreating glaciers and a reduction in snow cover in recent years, prompting it to move ski lifts to higher elevations and creating new ski runs at higher altitudes.
Last year record numbers headed to Scandinavian ski resorts where the winters remain cold and the snow good. Åre in Sweden, Hemsedal in Norway and Levi in Finland are particularly popular. However, tourist officials there have expressed concerns at the sustainability of mass-tourism and a rapid rise in visitor numbers.
If you are planning a trip this winter, then Eurostar's extended Alps service takes snow enthusiasts from London to the mountains in just nine hours, and comes with plenty of baggage allowance included in the price.
In the meantime, check out some of Lizzie's recommendations below...
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
This resort is a quite magical place. It is a gateway to more than 100km of pistes for skiing and snowboarding, as well as sledding and toboggan runs. it is also home to the Mittelallalin Ice Pavilion, a frozen grotto carved into the Fee Glacier.
"Saas-Fee, for example, is one of the highest resorts in Switzerland and already has snow. With an average annual snowfall of 466 cm of snow per year, this will be an excellent resort to head to this season. In fact, Saas-Fee is frequently rated as the Alpine ski resort with the most reliable snow cover," Lizzie said.
Le Val, France
Obergurgl is in a strong position for a good winter (Getty Images/Image Source)A French resort that is now well established, having opened its first lifts 50 years ago. The north-west direction of most of its slopes means the temperatures remain low and the snow generally good. "Le Val Thorens is another prime example of one of Europe’s snow-sure destinations. It is the highest resort in Europe, where 99% of its ski area is situated above an altitude of 2,000 metres," the ski pro added.
Obergurgl, Austria
As well as for its plentiful pistes, Obergurgl is famous for the crash landing of Swiss explorer Auguste Piccard, who came down hard on the village's glacier after becoming the first man to fly into the stratosphere, with a hot air balloon.
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“You can find another snow-sure resort in the white slopes of Austria. Obergurgl is located at the edge of the Ötztal Valley. At an altitude of 1,930m – 3,080m, the resort boasts fantastic snow and one of the longest ski seasons in Austria, which typically runs from mid-November to the end of April," Lizzie added.
Lech-Zürs, Austria
This is one of the most renowned winter sports resorts in the Alps, in part due to the extensive ski and snowboarding offering there. It has 87 ski-lifts, 200 kilometers of deep snow slopes and 305 km of ski runs.
“Lech-Zürs is another snow-sure ski destination in Austria. The resort has the highest average snowfall of any major ski area in the whole of the Alps," Lizzie said.
Val d'Isère, France
One of the best known skiing destinations in Europe, Val d'Isère has ski lifts that raise winter sports enthusiasts up to sites like the steep Face de Bellevarde, a black-rated piste, and the Grande Motte glacier, known for its summer ski runs.
“Last but in no way least, Val d'Isère in Tignes, France, is one of the finest snow-sure ski destinations in Europe. Over half of its slopes (60%) lie above 2500m. At this high altitude, it comes as no surprise that Val d'Isère is known for having some of the most reliable snow in the Alps," Lizzie added.
"While it resides on the northern side of the Alps, its proximity to the Italian border allows for snow to also come in from the southeast, setting it apart from many other resorts in the region. This geographical advantage significantly enhances the overall snowfall depth and quality in Val d'Isère."
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