Comparison
Avoriaz vs Chamonix: which has more reliable snow?
Avoriaz or Chamonix? Natural snow month by month, at the village, mid-mountain and summit, from thirty winters of weather data.
The season at a glance
Each cell is one month: the share of days with 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow at mid-mountain over the last 30 winters, from brown (often thin) to deep blue (snow-sure). Blank means almost none.
The short answer
Chamonix has had the more reliable natural snow: mid-mountain was snow-sure in 6 months of the year, against 4 at Avoriaz. Month by month, Chamonix has the edge in November, December, April and May.
Month by month
November: Avoriaz 3 of 30, Chamonix 19 of 30 snow-sure winters (38% and 85% of days).
December: Avoriaz 25 of 30, Chamonix 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (94% and 100% of days).
January: Avoriaz 30 of 30, Chamonix 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
February: Avoriaz 30 of 30, Chamonix 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
March: Avoriaz 30 of 30, Chamonix 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
April: Avoriaz 22 of 30, Chamonix 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (89% and 100% of days).
May: Avoriaz 1 of 30, Chamonix 28 of 30 snow-sure winters (23% and 99% of days).
A snow-sure winter is one where mid-mountain had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on at least 90% of that month’s days.
Height and terrain
Avoriaz and Chamonix are 31 km apart as the crow flies. Avoriaz first, then Chamonix: Village 1,100 m against 1,035 m; Mid-mountain 1,783 m against 2,438 m; Summit 2,466 m against 3,842 m.
In February, the village had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 49% of days at Avoriaz and 54% at Chamonix.
Questions
Which has more reliable snow, Avoriaz or Chamonix?
Chamonix has had the more reliable natural snow: mid-mountain was snow-sure in 6 months of the year, against 4 at Avoriaz. Month by month, Chamonix has the edge in November, December, April and May.
Which has better snow down to the village, Avoriaz or Chamonix?
In February, Chamonix: its village had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on 54% of days, against 49%.
Does this include snowmaking?
No. These are modelled natural snow figures only, from ERA5 weather. Groomed pistes with snowmaking often ski better than this.