The famous ski resorts of Europe are blanketed with a thick layer of snow, much to the delight of ski aficionados. After a relatively mild December, the current temperature drop—which has reached as low as -43°C in certain regions of Sweden—has made it possible for skiers to enjoy the slopes.

With almost a meter of snowfall, the French Alps are once again becoming a skiing lover’s paradise. A new layer of snow has covered resorts like Chamonix, Les Gets, and Morzine, making the weather perfect for winter sports fans.

According to ski weather updates, Austria and Switzerland have received a good 30 cm of snowfall, while Italy has received up to 50 centimeters.
This change in weather is in line with forecasts from previous El Niño years, when mild and rainy weather first occurs in Europe and then drier and colder weather occurs from January to March. With more consistent and extended snowfall, European ski resorts could be in for one of their best ski seasons to date.

Austria is a great place to go skiing, with more than fifty resorts expecting a good amount of snowfall. Right now, snowfall levels are over 150 percent above average, which makes for ideal skiing conditions throughout the winter. Certain high-altitude resorts, such as Stuben am Arlberg and St Anton am Arlberg, have experienced snowfall levels higher than three meters.

With a meter of snowfall expected in the Pyrénées and the French Alps at the best resorts, France is another popular destination for skiers this January. Particularly in the last 72 hours, there has been a remarkable amount of snowfall in Courchevel and Val Thorens, with 140 cm and 117 cm, respectively.

With snowfall in the Italian Alps due to low pressure originating in the North Atlantic, Italy is finally enjoying a “real winter.” The greatest places to ski right now are La Thuile in the Aosta Valley, Livigno in the Alps, and Val Gardena in the Dolomites; all three offer more than half a meter of snow above 1,000 meters. Above 1,500 meters, snow is also expected to cover the Apennines.

This season, the Swiss ski resort of Verbier opened three weeks ahead of schedule. Several other resorts, such as Davos Klosters, Melchsee-Frutt, and Engadin in St. Moritz, have benefited from the recent snowfall. Snow levels of three meters have been recorded in Saas-Fee, close to the Italian border.

The slopes promise a winter wonderland for everyone to enjoy, whether travelers like the well-known ski resorts in Switzerland, the gorgeous slopes of the French Alps, the high-altitude resorts of Austria, or the picturesque landscapes of Italy.