Why NOW is the Time to Grab Your Skis

If you’ve been umming and ahing about going skiing this year, then umm and ah no more. With a recent covering of the white stuff, we'll tell you which slopes are ‘snow sure’

It’s been a precarious few years for skiers. Weather patterns have changed so much that none of us are sure any more when the annual ski season starts or stops. 

It’s been a slow start across Europe. But not any more. In the past couple of weeks the heavens have given us bucketloads of snow meaning that most of the continent's ski areas are 90-100% open in terms of marked pistes and operating lifts. 

The Alps are carpeted in the stuff and this has been topped off with glorious daily sunshine – making the conditions nye on perfect for carving down the slopes. 

The same goes for the Pyrenees, which saw the biggest snowfalls since the season started in the last fortnight. 

The pistes are also in full swing now in much of Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. 

Across the Pond bitterly cold weather has been the biggest issue of late, particularly so in Canada. At one point areas in Alberta and British Columbia had to close for several days it was that cold. Having said that, over the past week they’ve seen some of the best snowfalls of the year so far with Big White and Banff posting accumulations (that’’s ski speak for the depth of fresh snow) of more than 30cm. 

On Canada’s east coast the slopes are also in the best shape they’ve been all winter.

In the States it’s been a snowy couple of weeks. To the east the conditions are the best they’ve been all season. To the west, the snow that was anticipated to fall came down as unwelcome rain thanks to warmer temperatures leaving the higher slopes with snow in feet rather than metres. But, since then, the snow has been steady. 

Meanwhile, in Japan, which is fast building its reputation as a mainstream skiing destination, snow depths have reached record highs. In the past week, up to one metre of snow fell in just 24 hours. Niigata’s Arai Ski Area is currently boasting a 610cm base — double the global average!

But we all know that the snow can come almost as fast as it can go. So, take our advice, grab your salopettes and brain buckets now and head for the hills. 

So which slopes do you fancy hitting? 

After the snow comes the sun – and this is exactly what’s happened in the Austrian Alps. More than half a metre of snow currently sits atop the higher slopes. And over the past couple of weeks, the rain that beset the lower slopes has finally turned to snowfall. Suffice to say, this latest ‘dump’ has done a great job in covering up the icy patches and slushy snow. 

Saalbach is as snow sure as it can be right now. The biggest event in ski racing in two years, the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup, kicked off in Saalbach Hinterglemm on 4th Feb with snow hitting the metre mark.

But you don’t need to be a skiing champion to enjoy Saalbach. It caters for all abilities. And the beauty of this village is that it’s perfectly placed to explore the 270km Skicircus. You can easily hop on the connecting gondola to the neighbouring Zell am See and Kitzsteinhorn ski areas if you want to rack up the miles.

It’s a picture perfect village oozing traditional charm, yet has a lively aprés ski scene too. 

The Eva Village hotel sits just a minute’s walk to the nearest lift and blends modern facilities with classic Austrian charm. We particularly like the huge spa area with indoor pool, sauna, steam room and hot tubs. 

It was the French ski areas that were the first in Europe to post three metre depths this season. 

The likes of Avoriaz, Chamonix and Les Arcs saw the biggest snowfall at the start of February and this should pretty much set them up for the season. 

Combine this with the fact that the French Alps are basking in sunshine of late and you’ve got spot on skiing conditions right now.

Chamonix is one for keen skiers. You’ve got a mixture of coloured slopes here, with 30 cruisy blues criss crossing 31 exciting reds and 10 challenging blacks. And with 90% of the terrain above 2,000m, Chamonix has built itself an admirable and reliable reputation. 

The ultimate challenge is the 20km Vallée Blanche, one of the most famous off-piste routes in the world. For intermediate skiers, the blues around Le Tour, Les Houches and Brévent-Flégère are all within easy reach.

Even if you’re not skiing, the scenery is jaw droppingly spectacular. Chamonix sits at the foot of the majestic Mont Blanc. 

As well as a lively aprés ski scene, there is loads to do off the slopes too – including spas and ice cave visits. If you dare, you can also experience Step into the Void, a glass box that hangs over the side of the mountain at 3,842m high.

Back at resort, right in the centre of town is Alpina Eclectic Hotel with fantastic views of Mont Blanc. The bus stop is just across the road from the hotel, making it really easy to get to the cable cars and the Savoy ski lift is just a few minutes' walk.

Italy kicked off February with its best week yet in terms of snowfall. In some resorts so much snow fell in one week than had fallen all season to date. 

Livigno was one such resort.

Admittedly, Livigno’s high altitude means it can boast a pretty good snow record. Runs start way up at 2,797m. In fact, Livigno has been crowned twice as Italy’s best ski resort, and what’s more it’s a host for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The runs here are mostly blue and red, so for beginners and intermediates it’s a perfect fit. But for those skiers and boarders who want to practise their flips and rotations, they’ll love Livigno’s snow parks.

When not on the slopes, you can tap into the delights of Italian life: shopping comes duty-free and then there’s the Italian food – need we say more? You might want to try Livigno’s signature tipple? Apparently it’s the birthplace of the bombardino: a warming cocktail with an eggnog base that’s become a staple in the Italian Alps. Cheers!

Hotel Lanz is a family-owned and run hotel dishing up cuisine a la nonna. It’s located right by the ski bus stop so getting to the slopes is a breeze.  

Swiss ski areas posted some big snowfall totals at the start of the month. Crans Montana had the biggest at 90cm but many others posted 40 to 80cm ‘dumps’, including Verbier and the 4 Valleys. In fact, very few resorts missed out. 

With the sun regularly showing its face and temperatures staying low, the conditions right now are looking pretty good for skiing in Switzerland.

The icing on the Swiss Alps has to be star-studded Zermatt. It’s the preferred choice of celebs – and for good reason. Apart from electric vehicles, the village itself is car-free, meaning you can only get around on foot or by horse and carriage (how romantic is that?).

You’re absolutely guaranteed to have snow in Zermatt. This is thanks not only to its high altitude of 3,820m and its natural perimeter of glaciers, but also thanks to the huge investment into artificial snow machines. In fact, more than 75% of Zermatt’s pistes have artificial snow capabilities, using over 800 snow makers. Saying that, these machines are only used when necessary and right now, thanks to the recent snow fall, skiers are skimming over the real deal. 

While Zermatt is known for being pricey, there are ways to ensure you keep the cost down. 

Our ski suppliers have got the keys to some beautiful hotels in the village. We would highly recommend you go for half board, meaning you only need to splash out on lunches each day. Alternatively, we have also got the keys to a number of self-catering options. 

Aparthotel Naco offers bed and breakfast. However, all the apartments come with kitchenettes, allowing you to cook for yourself and pack up picnics to eat on the slopes (you’ll find a decent supermarket in the centre of the village).

Who says you can’t ski with the stars?

To be fair, the Pyrenees have been late to join the party this year. After scarce snowfall in December and January, February has more than made up for it. Today pretty much all the slopes are now open. 

Big ski regions like Andorra's Pas de la Casa and Soldeu are finally at 70-80% open.

Due to its high altitude, sitting at an impressive 2,100m above sea level, Pas de la Casa offers some of the best quality slopes and is the most snow-sure resort across Andorra.

If it’s full-on aprés ski you’re chasing, then this is the resort for you. 

Families may prefer the quieter Arinsal, the perfect choice for those wanting to find their snow feet. 

Meanwhile, Soldeu will appeal to snowboarders with its four snow parks as well as a freestyle academy designed with the most extreme winter sports in mind. 

One of our favourite hotels is the stylish Park Piolets Mountain Resort and Spa in Soldeu. It’s a top pick if you’re looking for a little luxury on your ski trip.

Be prepared: it’s cold, cold, cold in Canada right now. But on the upside, there’s shed loads of snow. 

For many skiers, Canada is a bucket-list destination. If you’re travelling all that way then you’ve got to consider its most famous ski resort, Whistler, in the Coast Mountain Range. Whistler is consistently voted the best resort in all of North America offering something for everyone, from powder bowls for snowboarders to designated slow zones for beginners. 

But, if it’s Canada’s spellbinding scenery you’re after then, in our opinion, it’s hard to beat Alberta’s Banff and Lake Louise.

Both of these resorts sit inside the Unesco World Heritage Site of Banff National Park. It’s fair to say that the scenery is some of the most dramatic in the world. There's nothing quite like skiing through the majestic splendour of the Canadian Rockies.

What’s more, there’s something about the snow in Banff that’s unlike anywhere else. Somehow it’s more powdery. It’s got to do with the high altitude, which means that, bizarrely, the snow is lighter and drier rather than heavy and moist. 

Banff is part of the Ski Big 3 which covers three different mountains in one lift pass: Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Mount Norquay.

This gives you access to 362 runs across 7,748 acres. Free ski buses run between the three mountains giving you 15 to 45 minutes to sit on the bus and take in the views. 

When not on the slopes you can swap your skis for ice skates and glide across Lake Louise, or simply enjoy the town with its many saloon bars. Why not join the locals and dig into a platter of surf ’n turf while taking in an ice hockey match on the big screen. 

And make sure you save time to walk through Johnston Canyon and weave your way through icy cliffs, caves and frozen waterfalls. Or take it easy and go for a soak in the thing that started it all, the Banff Upper Hot Springs.

As for accommodation, the Fairmont Banff Springs is world famous. But more modest options exist, including the charming Banff Inn not far from downtown Banff. 

Among the hotel’s 99 rooms, six are interconnecting making them ideal for families. Alternatively, the Loft Suites are available on request and can sleep up to six people over two floors. 

Want to go somewhere ‘different’ and have snow-sure conditions to boot? Then head to Japan. For skiers, now is perfect timing. 

Japan's ski areas have been experiencing remarkable snowfalls over the past few months. The deepest snow depths are actually being observed in Niigata Prefecture, north of Tokyo on the Japanese mainland. 

Much of this is thanks to a weather phenomenon known as the Siberian Express, where dry air blowing east across central and eastern Asia hits the Sea of Japan, then rises and releases abundant snowfall upon encountering Japan's mountainous coastline.

However, it’s on the northern island of Hokkaido where you’ll find the popular, well established ski resorts of Tomamu and Furano. Both these resorts are currently covered in Japow – the nickname given to Japan’s feather-light powdery snow. 

Furano is the bigger of the two and is ideal for those less experienced skiers – or those wanting to take things easy. Off the slopes, ice fishing and snowmobiling await. 

Meanwhile, Tomamu is small but mighty. In fact, the town was purpose built, so it’s really well thought through. Don’t miss, the Ice Village, a winter wonderland where kids can skate, slide and zipline, while the grown-ups can sit at the ice bar with frozen glasses and ramen served in ice bowls.

With the snow still fresh, there’s no time to waste. 

While you get your gear together, we can do all the leg work for you. Let’s have a quick chat and then we'll get you on the next flight out so you can hit the slopes running. 

We can package it all up with your hotel or chalet accommodation, your board or skis, poles, lift passes and lessons. 

We'll also see what deals we can tap into. Many of our ski suppliers offer ‘free child lift passes’ for example, or throw in some of the equipment for free.  

Like you, loads of people have put off booking their ski holiday to see where the snow falls. Well, it’s fallen, so let’s get you out there.