Long-range forecasts for the 2026/27 winter point to a colder, wetter pattern across the Northern Alps from late November through February. La Niña conditions in the Pacific tend to push the Atlantic storm track south and west — good news for the French, Swiss, and Austrian Alps; less good for the Italian Dolomites.
What it means in practice
- Early season (late Nov – mid Dec) likely to deliver useful base in high-altitude resorts (Tignes, Val Thorens, Zermatt). Worth a punt if you can be flexible.
- Christmas / New Year will be busy regardless of snow. Book by July if you want anything decent.
- January historically the most reliable month for cold, dry powder. Often the quietest.
- February half term crowded and pricey. Skip if you can.
- March / April the safe bet for guaranteed snow at altitude. South-facing aspects start to get slushy by mid-afternoon.
Resorts to bet on
| Resort | Why | |---|---| | Val Thorens | Highest resort in Europe (2,300m base). Snow guarantee. | | Tignes | Glacier skiing. Reliable into May. | | Zermatt | High altitude + glacier. Year-round. | | Verbier | North-facing terrain holds snow. | | St Anton | Snow magnet — catches Atlantic systems. |
Resorts to be cautious of
Mid-altitude resorts below 1,500m base — Morzine, Megève, Cortina d'Ampezzo — are increasingly variable. Still great in a good year, but worth booking somewhere with backup lift access to higher terrain.
Find chalets in high-altitude resorts on our search page.