Excellent Snow Conditions in Large Parts of the Alps & Pyrenees
11th December 2024
It is one of the best starts to a season in recent years. Check out the updated PlanetSKI snow report. NEW
The cold temperatures across both of Europe’s main mountain ranges are preserving things nicely and allowing the snow guns to top things up.
It follows good snow at altitude in recent weeks and now lower down too.
All in all it is looking very good for the time of year with the Xmas and New Year holidays approaching.
Fingers it will last and is the start of an epic season.
The Alps are currently being cooled by cold air coming down from the north east, while the Pyrenees has been hit by a huge snowstorm leaving well over 1m in places.
The Alps
It is going to remain dry for the rest of the week, and PlanetSKI reporter Simon Miller is currently in Tignes where conditions are fantastic for the time of year.
Most importantly the temperatures are set to be low across the Alps so the snow can be preserved and man-made snow pumped out.
Gurgl, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI is heading over to the Swiss Alps this weekend, and we were at high altitude in the French Alps as the storm struck last weekend.
Val Thorens, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Here are a selection of images, videos and social media posts from around the Alps.
High altitude:
Image © Arc1950 Tourist Office
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Low Altitude:
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And a reminder that chains have been needed in recent days as the snow fell, though most of the mountains roads have now been cleared.
Here was the seen in Les3Vallees, France with the authorities ensuring rules were followed.
The above video has been viewed 510K times , with 615 likes and 246 comments as PlanetSKI readers discuss driving in snow and the best winter tyres to use.
The Pyrenees
Compared to the Alps the Pyrenees got off to a slow start with some ski areas forced to delay their openings due to unfavourable conditions.
That has now changed with heavy snow in France, Andorra and Spain.
In the French Alps La Mongie is reporting over 1m of snow at resort level.
In Spain Baqueira Beret is looking rather tasty.
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Do check out the very latest on weathertoski.co.uk
The snow has also led to rising interest from UK skiers and snowboarders looking to book a ski holiday.
Inghams Ski says that web bookings increased by 32% from last week.
It says the strongest areas of uplift in online sales have been for 2025 departures, increasing by 33% week on week, with January 2025 proving the most popular month for travel.
France and Austria have had the most bookings, with Austria seeing a 32% increase compared to last week.
“A spike in bookings like these are what you expect to see when people are confident in great snow conditions for the start of the season,” said the Managing Director of Inghams Ski, John Mansell.
“We are seeing those who have been tentative to book a ski holiday now committing, and it’s clear everyone is feeling the excitement for the season ahead.”
Here at PlanetSKI we will be updating this report so do check back.
We will also be updating with the long-range forecast and seeing if it will last.
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