The Updated PlanetSKI Snow Report

12th January 2026

Last modified on January 19th, 2026

We hear direct from the Alps, the Spanish Pyrenees, the French Pyrenees the High Tatras in Slovakia, Scotland & Canada. PlanetSKI is out in the snow. UPDATED

Monday 19th January

We begin today’s update with a video report from PlanetSKI reporter, Felix Milns, who is in St Lary in the French Pyrenees.

More heavy snow has been falling in the area.

Polo in the powder of the Pyrenees, St Lary.

Felix posing above the clouds in St Lary, French Pyrenees.

We will be updating later on conditions in the Alps and from Canada.

In Canada it has been wall-to-wall blue sky for the past few days.

The road to Lake Louise. Image © PlanetSKI

It has certainly brought the weekend crowds out.

Lake Louise, Alberta. Image © PlanetSKI

In Lake Louise in Canada the temperatures have warmed up and it’s even possible to have lunch & drinks on the terrace.

Lake Louise, Alberta. Image © PlanetSKI

Rare for this time of year in Canada.

Full details to follow…

Sunday 18th January

Today we hear from the Alps, The French Pyrenees and Scotland.

We start today’s report with an update on conditions in the Alps where there has been fresh snow in the south-western area of the mountain range.

The storm is expected to continue into Monday and some areas could see up to 40cm.

“Already we have seen snowfalls of 10-30cm across many southern French ski resorts (e.g. Serre Chevalier, Risoul, Isola 2000), the Italian Piemonte (e.g. Prali, Prato Nevoso, Alagna) and the eastern Aosta (e.g. Gressoney),” said the alpine weather expert, Fraser Wilkin from weathertoski.co.uk

“Over the next few days, the heaviest of the snow will focus more on the far south-west, from Prali down to Prato Nevoso, Limone Piemonte and across to Isola 2000, all of which could pick up an additional 20-40cm by Monday afternoon.”

Generally the northern and eastern Alps have remained dry and will continue dry over the next few days.

Over in the French Pyrenees there has been some heavy snow – up to 40cm in places.

PlanetSKI reporter, Felix Milns, is in Peregude:

Over the border in the Spanish Pyrenees is our chief reporter, Jane Peel, who gave us a full update on Saturday from Baqueira Beret.

She has been in Baqueira Beret for the Freedride World Tour.

PlanetSKI is slopeside for the Freeride World Tour in Spain

She has just posted a resort review of the Spanish resort.

Baqueira Beret – The Secret is Out

It’s a fabulous ski area with its international recognition growing.

A busy Saturday in January 2026 in Baqueira Beret, Spain. Image © PlanetSKI

Busy on the slopes in Baqueira Beret. Image © PlanetSKI

PlanetSKI reporter Julia Clarke is in Glenshee in Scotland where there are, er, somewhat mixed conditions.

Glenshee, Scotland. Image © Julia Clarke/PlanetSKI

“It’s now all change at Glenshee after the Friday forecasted of overnight snow turned out to be sleet.

“It changed to rain by morning, and Tom Dearg didn’t open up as hoped, but it wasn’t all bad news.

“The temperatures remained just above freezing and while the rain definitely opened up some big bald spots at the bottom early on, conditions at the top were just a bit soft and actually more skiable than yesterday when we had sun and colder temperatures.

“It all made for some fun turns on Saturday if you had a good shell and the right attitude.

“There were over a thousand skiers out having a good time in the Scottish conditions.

Glenshee, Scotland. Image © Julia Clarke/PlanetSKI

“By the end of the day though, grass was making an unwelcome appearance and getting on the rope tow at Claybokie for ski patrol training required something akin to pond skimming – but it was a good way to test if my ski boots are waterproof.

Glenshee, Scotland. Image © Julia Clarke/PlanetSKI

“The precipitation had let up by late afternoon and we were just dealing with fog and the occasional breeze.

“Sunday looks to be foggy again, but the temperatures are predicted to drop a little and we might see a built more of the white stuff by lunch time.”

Glenshee, Scotland. Image © Julia Clarke/PlanetSKI

Saturday 17th January

As promised PlanetSKI brings you the latest snow report update from Scotland.

We have already reported earlier this month on the good start to the season:

Scotland celebrates good start to 2026

Now we’re out on the slopes of Scotland, in Glenshee.

Our reporter, Julia Clarke, is in Glenshee where she is undertaking a ski patroller’s course.

We’ll be hearing about that later.

First the current snow conditions.

“The snow conditions are pretty good here at Glenshee where there were eight lifts and tows spinning today.

“I’m here shadowing ski patrol for two days and every patroller I’ve spoken to says this is the best winter they’ve seen since 2020 – and it’s only January.

Glenshee, Scotland. Image © Julia Clarke/PlanetSKI

“Now, this is Scotland, so take all that with a pinch of icy patches and some threadbare coverage, but to be honest that’s mostly in the middle of the runs and closer to the bottom.

“Stay high and stick closer to the edges off the pistes and you can find good coverage and surprisingly soft snow to make some nice turns.

“That’s all thanks to the various storms that have rolled through the area since New Year’s Day combined with consistently low temperatures which is all working to keep gradually building snowpack.

Glenshee, Scotland. Image © Julia Clarke/PlanetSKI

“I found the best conditions off the Cairnwell Towbar while it was a little more choppy over on Sunnyside.

“The day started out sunny but by mid afternoon the mist rolled in and temperatures were dropping fast at 4pm so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a little more fresh snow in the morning.

“It’s looking like a promising weekend up here with ski patrol getting Tam Death, Butchart’s Access and Cairnwell Chair ready to open up on Saturday.

Glenshee, Scotland. Image © Julia Clarke/PlanetSKI

Julia will be reporting on her ski patroller’s course later.

Glenshee, Scotland. Image © Julia Clarke/PlanetSKI

In the Pyrenees, the forecast snow has arrived.

Here’s Baqueira Beret in the Spanish Pyrenees where PlanetSKI’s Chief Reporter, Jane Peel, is currently skiing.

Fresh snow in Baqueira Beret, Spain, Saturday 17 Jan 2026. Image © PlanetSKI

Fresh snow in Baqueira Beret. Image © PlanetSKI

And here’s a picture of those crowds on the slopes this morning.

Busy on the slopes in Baqueira Beret. Image © PlanetSKI

And the lift queues…

“There’s more snow forecast, though it’s quite mild at the moment and the precipitation is intermittently falling as sleet or rain at the base at 1500m, so the snow at that altitude is a little wet and heavy” Jane adds.

In the French Pyrenees is PlanetSKI’s Felix Milns.

Seems like there’s some snow incoming:

While our roving reporter Mike ‘the snow’ Richards is in Strbske Pleso in the High Tatras in Slovakia:

Mike will be posting a full report from his adventures in Slovakia so look out for that shortly…

We’ll also bring you a full round up from the Alps as snow is falling this weekend in the southern and eastern Alps in parts of Italy and France.

And in Canada we had a bit of a day of it in Delerium Dive and the South Side Shutes in Sunshine Village:

Sunshine Village, Banff, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI

Winter is well underway and PlanetSKI is out all over the mountains and LOVING IT!

Do check back…

Friday 16th January

We begin today’s update from Sunshine Village near Banff in Canada.

It is feeling more like Spring skiing with a marked rise in temperatures and wall-to-wall blue sky.

Here’s PlanetSKI’s James Cove:

Yes, you did see a snowboarder jump the ‘CAUTION’ sign at the end of the video!

Here it is again:

And here are some of those fabulous piste conditions James was mentioning:

Sunshine Village, Banff, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI

And there still remains a few pockets of powder.

The best place was in the trees on Mt Standish off the WaWa lift.

Sunshine Village, Banff, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI

Otherwise, sit back and enjoy a few more images of Sunshine in sunshine.

Sunshine Village, Banff, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI

And what a view from the top of Mt Standish at 2,398m:

In Europe the weather in the Alps is set to change in places today.

In the south-western Alps a storm is developing, but the forecasts differ in their predictions of its intensity.

Parts of Italy and south-east France should see the best of the snow.

Other areas of the Alps are expected to remain dry with some continued good skiing on piste after the heavy snow of last weekend.

It remains unstable of piste as much of the snow fell on an unstable base.

The authorities are urging caution as 10 people have died in avalanches since last weekend.

13 year old boy is latest avalanche fatality

Do check back for updates.

The weather is set to change in the Pyrenees too.

Our chief reporter Jane Peel is in Baqueira Beret in Spain where she has been reporting on the opening event of the 2026 Freeride World Tour, which took place under bright blue skies yesterday.

PlanetSKI Slopeside at the Freeride World Tour in Spain

“Today has been a mixed day of weather,” Jane says.

“It started off largely sunny with some high clouds in Baqueira itself and it was a little cooler than earlier in the week.

“But I skied over to the Bonaigua sector of the resort where there was considerably more cloud.

Bonaigua, Baqueira Beret, Spain. Image © PlanetSKI

Bonaigua, Baqueira Beret. Image © PlanetSKI

“Bonaigua is further to the east/south-east of Baqueira and that is the direction from which I’m told the next weather front is coming.

“By mid-afternoon, the cloud had come in over Baqueira too.

“It looks as there could be snow later tonight and for much of Saturday and beyond.”

PlanetSKI’s Felix Milns has just arrived in La Monjie in French Pyrenees and Julia Clarke is in Glenshee in Scotland.

We’ll be hearing from them both shortly…

Thursday 15th January

In the Alps the weather has stabilised after the storms of last weekend.

There has been generally clear weather with warm temperatures.

Tragically there has been another avalanche death in the Alps as a young teenager was killed in Austria.

13 year old boy is latest avalanche fatality

A new storm is expected to hit the south-western Alps this weekend with parts of Italy and France benefiting.

Forecasts predict varying levels of snowfall and we’ll be updating as things become clearer.

In the meantime here’s one of our regular snow reporters, Steve Angus, who is in Tignes/Val d’Isere:

PlanetSKI remains in the resorts around Banff in Canada, where the snow has eased off and the sun has made a very welcome return.

It’s looking rather good in Lake Louise as the sun finally made an appearance after all the record-breaking snow of the past few weeks.

Things looked promising as we headed to Lake Louise first thing.

Heading to Lake Louise, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI

Blue sky remained for much of the day, but the clouds came back in late in the afternoon.

Lake Louise, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI

We’ll be updating from Canada later as the weather changes, so do check back for that.

Wednesday 14th January

The PlanetSKI Snow Report today comes from Chief Reporter Jane Peel, who’s in Baqueira Beret in the Spanish Pyrenees.

As Jane mentions, she’s in the resort for the opening competition of the 2026 Freeride World Tour, which takes place on Thursday.

See here for Jane’s separate report on the event:

The 2026 Freeride World Tour is Here

Baqueira Beret on Wednesday 14 January 2026. Image © PlanetSKI

Baqueira Beret on Wednesday. Image © PlanetSKI

Tuesday 13th January

Today we hear about conditions in the High Tatras in Slovakia as PlanetSKI reporter, Mike ‘the snow’ Richards is there for us, but first the Alps.

There are some excellent skiing conditions in parts of the northern and western Alps, though the temperatures have warmed up.

The fresh snow of last week means a return to winter skiing conditions in many places.

Some had not seen fresh snow for over 4-weeks.

Resorts to have done well include Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Tignes, Val d’Isere, La Rosiere in France.

In Switzerland Les Diablerets/Glacier 3000 & Verbier saw plenty of fresh snow.

In Italy resorts in the Aosta Valley such as La Thuille and Courmayeur benefited.

Off piste, the avalanche risk remains ‘considerable’ in many areas of France and Switzerland with the authorities advising people to exercise extreme caution.

Here is the situation in Switzerland on Tuesday.

Avalanche risk in Switzerland for Tuesday 13th January. Image c/o Swiss Avalanche Institute.

Here is a recent post from a great friend of PlanetSKI – Henry Schniewind, from Henry’s Avalanche Talk.

Elsewhere in the mountains PlanetSKI reporter, Mike ‘the snow’ Richards, is currently in The High Tatras region of Slovakia.

In fresh snow.

“From the time we stepped out of the arrivals area of Poprad Airport on Saturday evening through to the early hours of Monday morning it’s been snowing steadily with 15cm down low and 30cm up high,” said Mike.

“Sunday saw us skiing at Tatranska Lomnica where the new snow was unfortunately accompanied by high winds forcing the closure of the upper lifts.

“Despite the limited terrain available we didn’t queue all day and enjoyed wonderful piste conditions.

“The lower slopes are beginner heaven with long, boulevard skiing.

“Monday was an entirely different experience all together.

“The snow stopped, the sun came out, and we enjoyed bluebird skies and featherlight knee-deep powder at neighbouring Strbske Pleso resort.”

“There’s more snow in the forecast for our visit to Jasna and then we return to Tatranksa Lomnica later in the week.”

Mike will be posting a full report from Slovakia later, so do check back for that.

It’s an area that is off the radar for most, but is well worth considering.

We have skied in the area before:

PlanetSKI heads east

PlanetSKI in Jasna. Image c/o PlanetSKI

Jasna. Image c/o PlanetSKI

PlanetSKI’s Chief Reporter Jane Peel has just arrived in another mountain range – the Pyrenees.

Baqueira Beret in the Val d’Aran in Spain, to be precise.

Baqueira Beret, Spainish Pyrenees. Image © PlanetSKI

She’s there for the opening competition of the 2026 Freeride World Tour.

“I’ve not had time to get on the slopes yet but I hear they’ve had 80cm of fresh snow in the past week which should make for some great skiing,” Jane said.

“It felt very warm in the afternoon sun at the bottom, though, so I hope the good conditions last.”

VIew from Hotel Montarto looking away from Baqueira Beret towards the car park. Image ©PlanetSKI

The FWT competition has been brought forward one day from Friday to Thursday as there’s no additional snow forecast before then.

Thursday is considered the best day to run the event safely and with full visibility.

Look out for Jane’s reports later in the week.

Monday 12th January

On Monday it turned warmer and is generally dry across the Alps.

It follows the storm last week that left well over 1m of fresh snow in places in the northern and western Alps.

We followed the snow in last week’s PlanetSKI rolling snow report:

Heavy snow falls in the Alps

We have also reported on the other side of the coin:

British skier is one of six people to die in avalanches in French Alps at the weekend

Check out some of the images of the snowfall:

Les Menuires, France

Les Menuires, France. Image c/o Les Menuires Tourist Office.

Tignes, France:

The avalanche risk has fallen in places but it still remains ‘considerable’ at Level 3 in many places, with Level 4 ‘high’ in some areas.

Here’s the risk Switzerland on Monday:

Avalanche danger in Switzerland, Monday 12th January. Image c/o Swiss Avalanche Institute.

There has also been snow across many parts of the Pyrenees with some good skiing in France, Andorra and Spain.

90cm has fallen in some areas

In parts of the Spanish Pyrenees the avalanche danger is ‘considerable’ (Level 3) as the snow was accompanied by high winds.

The good snow continues in Canada and PlanetSKI’s James Cove will have a full update from the resorts around Banff later this week.

He has just posted a full article on how the conditions in the Banff ski resorts are perhaps the best in North America with snow records for early season broken.

Record breaking snowfall in Banff resorts

Do check back as we update later on Monday…

Sunday 11th January

It has been a sunny and cold day in the Alps.

The big storm of the last few days in France and Switzerland has now passed.

It lead to a spate of avalanche deaths with six people, including a 50 year old British man in La Plagne, losing their lives.

See here for the full details in PlanetSKI’s news report:

British skier is one of six people to die in avalanches in French Alps at the weekend

On piste the skiing conditions have been excellent in many places.

Check out some of the images of the fresh snow:

“Storm totals since Wednesday evening have been over 1m at altitude across parts of the French Alps (e.g. Val Thorens, La Rosière), the far western Swiss Alps (e.g. Les Diablerets/Glacier 3000) and some north-eastern Swiss areas such as the Glarus Alps,” said Fraser Wilkin from Weathertoski.co.uk.

“Most other French and Swiss Alpine regions, the west of Austria (e.g. Arlberg) and the north-west of Italy (e.g. Courmayeur, Cervinia) have also seen significant snow, with between 40cm and 80cm since Wednesday night.

“The far south-east of Switzerland (e.g. St Moritz) and other parts of Austria have seen less though, typically with between 10cm and 30cm.

“The least snow fell in the eastern Italian Alps, with just a few centimetres in the Dolomites.”

The weather is warming up this week, with perhaps some snow in Austria.

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