Comparison
Chamonix vs Zermatt: which has more reliable snow?
Chamonix or Zermatt? Natural snow month by month, at the village, mid-mountain and summit, from eleven winters of weather data.
Month by month
Each cell is one month: the share of days with 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow at mid-mountain over the last 11 winters, from brown (often thin) to deep blue (snow-sure). Blank means almost none.
The short answer
Both have been snow-sure at mid-mountain in 6 months of the year, but Zermatt has had the edge more often. Month by month, Zermatt has the edge in November.
Month by month
November: Chamonix 2 of 11, Zermatt 4 of 11 snow-sure winters (45% and 55% of days).
December: Chamonix 9 of 11, Zermatt 10 of 11 snow-sure winters (95% and 90% of days).
January: Chamonix 11 of 11, Zermatt 10 of 11 snow-sure winters (100% and 98% of days).
February: Chamonix 11 of 11, Zermatt 11 of 11 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
March: Chamonix 11 of 11, Zermatt 11 of 11 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
April: Chamonix 11 of 11, Zermatt 11 of 11 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
May: Chamonix 11 of 11, Zermatt 11 of 11 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% 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
Chamonix and Zermatt are 69 km apart as the crow flies. Chamonix first, then Zermatt: Village 1,035 m against 1,620 m; Mid-mountain 2,438 m against 2,752 m; Summit 3,842 m against 3,883 m.
In February, the village had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 10% of days at Chamonix and 40% at Zermatt.
Questions
Which has more reliable snow, Chamonix or Zermatt?
Both have been snow-sure at mid-mountain in 6 months of the year, but Zermatt has had the edge more often. Month by month, Zermatt has the edge in November.
Which has better snow down to the village, Chamonix or Zermatt?
In February, Zermatt: its village had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on 40% of days, against 10%.
Does this include snowmaking?
No. These are modelled natural snow figures only, from ERA5 weather. Groomed pistes with snowmaking often ski better than this.