As Europe faces unprecedented climate threats to its winter sports industry, and some traditional snow destinations are pivoting to other activities, a new list of the ski resorts and regions where winter sports lovers will find the most reliable snow has been released by Inghams Ski—and they are so confident in its accuracy, based on years of historical data, that they are offering to transport holidaymakers to a “nearby resort with better conditions, completely free of charge” if fewer than 25% of runs at any of the selected destinations are open when they visit.
The list is based on Inghams’ bespoke “Reliable Ski Score” system. They started with a list of 150 popular ski resorts and regions in the Northern Hemisphere and measured each one’s performance over the most recent seven seasons (excluding COVID years), across the following criteria:
- The average percentage of lifts and slopes operating in the core season (weighted 35%)
- The percentage of core-season days with 30cm or more at the base station (weighted at 25%)
- How consistently the resort performs year after year (weighted at 20%)
- The gap between the average season and the worst one (weighted at 12%)
- Average snow depth on the mountain (weighted at 8%)
The research found France is the favourite for reliable skiing in Europe, with French ski resorts and regions accounting for exactly half of the top 20. Les Arcs, Les Trois Vallées, and Alpe d’Huez took third, fourth, and fifth place in the ranking.
Les Arcs is “an excellent choice for both freestyle enthusiasts as well as those looking for reliable conditions,” Inghams said, while Les Trois Vallées, one of the largest ski regions in the world, presents “a vast 600km of pistes” and is 85% above 1,800 m in altitude, scoring “a perfect 100 on snow adequacy” of 30cm or more. Ingham’s high rating for these two areas correlates with Trip.com research published earlier this year.
And over at Alpe d’Huez, skiers and snowboarders (and summer hikers!) will benefit from 300 days of sun a year and the Pic Blanc Glacier at 3,300m, meaning bluebird days and high-altitude skiing opportunities galore. Alpe d’Huez is also known for its powder conditions.
Austria was the next most reliable ski destination, taking six places in the top 20, including three in the top ten: Obertauern at number two, Kitzsteinhorn at number six, and Filzmoos at number seven. Obertauern was praised for its “tremendous views and long seasons lasting from late November into as late as May” with accommodation almost “entirely made up of ski-in/ski-out hotels.”
In fact, together France and Austria occupy 80% of the list. But it was an Italian resort that was awarded the number one spot overall. Pontedilegno-Tonale, Italy, had a Reliable Ski Score of 93.1/100. Formerly known as Adamello Ski, the resort is described as a “standout Italian destination” that is “nestled between the soaring peaks of the Adamello-Presanella range in Northern Italy”, offering “some of the most varied ski experiences in the Alps.”
Feeling tempted? Better start those squats.
