Explainer
How high do you need to go for natural snow?
Month by month, how often natural snow has reached the village, mid-mountain and summit at the northern resorts Cirque models.
The short answer
Early and late in the season, height is everything. In December, 13 of the 29 northern resorts Cirque models had 30 cm or more of natural snow on at least 90% of days at the summit, but only 0 at the village. By February the gap closes at most resorts.
Month by month
November: of the 29 northern resorts, 3 summits, 0 mid-mountains and 0 villages were typically snow-sure.
December: of the 29 northern resorts, 13 summits, 3 mid-mountains and 0 villages were typically snow-sure.
January: of the 29 northern resorts, 24 summits, 20 mid-mountains and 2 villages were typically snow-sure.
February: of the 29 northern resorts, 28 summits, 26 mid-mountains and 6 villages were typically snow-sure.
March: of the 29 northern resorts, 29 summits, 25 mid-mountains and 6 villages were typically snow-sure.
April: of the 29 northern resorts, 28 summits, 25 mid-mountains and 1 villages were typically snow-sure.
May: of the 29 northern resorts, 21 summits, 11 mid-mountains and 0 villages were typically snow-sure.
Each figure averages the last 11 winters, so a resort counts when its typical winter had 30 cm or more on at least 90% of that month’s days at that height.
Big gaps in December
At Tignes, Chamonix, Courchevel, Zermatt, Verbier, St. Anton, Ischgl, Cervinia, Whistler Blackcomb, Banff Sunshine, Revelstoke and Jackson Hole, the summit has typically been deep in natural snow in December while the village had a skiable base on fewer than half the days. Expect to ski the top of the mountain and ride the lift down.
Using it
Every resort page on Cirque has a village, mid and summit switch. For early or late trips, check the summit figure; for ski-in, ski-out stays, check the village.
Questions
How high do you need to be for snow in December?
In the northern resorts Cirque models, 13 of 29 summits were typically snow-sure in December against 0 villages. Higher is much safer early in the season.
Does altitude matter in February?
Less. In February 26 of 29 mid-mountains and 6 villages were typically snow-sure.
Does this include snowmaking?
No. These are modelled natural snow figures only, from ERA5 weather. Groomed pistes with snowmaking often ski better than this.