Comparison
Courmayeur vs Megève: which has more reliable snow?
Courmayeur or Megève? 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
Both have been snow-sure at mid-mountain in 4 months of the year, but Courmayeur has had the edge more often. Month by month, Courmayeur has the edge in April, and Megève in December.
Month by month
November: Courmayeur 3 of 30, Megève 3 of 30 snow-sure winters (41% and 35% of days).
December: Courmayeur 22 of 30, Megève 24 of 30 snow-sure winters (90% and 91% of days).
January: Courmayeur 30 of 30, Megève 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
February: Courmayeur 30 of 30, Megève 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
March: Courmayeur 30 of 30, Megève 30 of 30 snow-sure winters (100% and 100% of days).
April: Courmayeur 25 of 30, Megève 17 of 30 snow-sure winters (92% and 81% of days).
May: Courmayeur 1 of 30, Megève 0 of 30 snow-sure winters (31% and 14% 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
Courmayeur and Megève are 28 km apart as the crow flies. Courmayeur first, then Megève: Village 1,224 m against 1,113 m; Mid-mountain 1,990 m against 1,733 m; Summit 2,755 m against 2,353 m. Mapped downhill runs: Courmayeur 42 km, Megève 141 km (OpenStreetMap).
In February, the village had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 61% of days at Courmayeur and 58% at Megève.
Questions
Which has more reliable snow, Courmayeur or Megève?
Both have been snow-sure at mid-mountain in 4 months of the year, but Courmayeur has had the edge more often. Month by month, Courmayeur has the edge in April, and Megève in December.
Which has better snow down to the village, Courmayeur or Megève?
In February, Courmayeur: its village had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on 61% of days, against 58%.
Does this include snowmaking?
No. These are modelled natural snow figures only, from ERA5 weather. Groomed pistes with snowmaking often ski better than this.