The best places to Ski over Christmas by snow depth
Snow depths across both Europe and north America are above average for the first week of December and prospects look promising for the Christmas holidays.
But a word of caution: a thaw is expected in some parts of the Alps this week, with rain falling below 2,500m and most resorts still yet to open. If you're planning a trip before or over Christmas and new Year, it'll be wise to stay high.
FRANCE
I'm just back from Val d'Isere and Tignes, which are both skiing at their January best. Not all runs are open - but that's due to an absence of people rather than snow. Last weekend, the temperature on the Grande Motte fell to a dismal minus 28C. Base is now 28-58cm. Courchevel is not yet open, but in mid-week there was even more snow than in Val.
Les Deux Alpes is 30 per cent open and has 125cm on the higher slopes. the Grands Montets sector of Chamonix opens this weekend with 64cm at valley level and 130cm up on the glacier.
AUSTRIA
More snow has been falling across the country. In Solden, the glacier on the road up was closed briefly because of avalanche danger. nassfeld in Carinthia caught 30cm in the same storm. The base is now 80-125cm.
SWITZERLAND
In Zermatt, you can't yet ski down to the valley floor, although snow depths range from 70-173cm on the Gornergrat and Rothorn. In Davos, some pistes on the Parsenn and the Jakobshorn have opened with snow depths of 28-103cm.
ITALY
The Dolomites have done particularly well, with regular snowfalls in recent weeks. Madonna di Campiglio (45-145cm) has the best of it along with San Cassiano (50/130cm).
PYRENEES
The Spanish resort of Formigal has opened with 25/75cm, and the picture is similarly attractive in Andorra.
NORTH AMERICA
Breckenridge got off to a great start with huge dumps of snow and has 100cm base mid-mountain. Vail has 60cm but is skiing well. Snowbird heads the table with 147cm after 60cm this week. Jackson Hole has 119cm.
In Canada, Whistler had 46cm of fresh snow earlier this week and now has a base of 100cm.
Now you know the best places to find the finest powder this Christmas all you need to get things moving is a place to stay. Search Bargain Villas for a great deal on a ski villa and ski apartment.
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