Where to ski in February: the surest natural snow

The short answer

27 of the 44 resorts Cirque models were snow-sure in February in at least 9 of the last 11 winters, meaning mid-mountain had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on at least 90% of February days. The surest: Val Thorens (11 of 11 winters), Tignes (11 of 11 winters), Chamonix (11 of 11 winters), Les Deux Alpes (11 of 11 winters) and Courchevel (11 of 11 winters).

15 southern-hemisphere resorts had natural snow at mid-mountain on fewer than 5% of February days, so they are left out below. The counts in brackets are snow-sure winters out of the last 11.

The Alps

Snow-sure: Val Thorens (11 of 11), Tignes (11 of 11), Chamonix (11 of 11), Les Deux Alpes (11 of 11), Courchevel (11 of 11), Zermatt (11 of 11), Verbier (11 of 11), St. Anton (11 of 11), Ischgl (11 of 11), Obergurgl (11 of 11), Cervinia (11 of 11), Kitzbühel (10 of 11) and Cortina d’Ampezzo (9 of 11). Usually good: Val Gardena (7 of 11).

Northern Europe and the Pyrenees

Snow-sure: Åre (11 of 11) and Hemsedal (10 of 11). Usually good: Grandvalira (7 of 11).

North America

Snow-sure: Whistler Blackcomb (11 of 11), Banff Sunshine (11 of 11), Revelstoke (11 of 11), Jackson Hole (11 of 11), Alta (11 of 11), Vail (11 of 11), Aspen Snowmass (11 of 11), Big Sky (11 of 11), Mammoth Mountain (10 of 11) and Stowe (10 of 11).

Japan

Snow-sure: Niseko United (11 of 11) and Hakuba Valley (11 of 11).

Go high

At Val Gardena and Grandvalira, the summit was snow-sure in February in at least 9 of the last 11 winters when mid-mountain was not. If you are going to one of these in February, the top of the mountain is where natural snow has been dependable.

Early or late February?

Across the resorts with snow this month, the second half of February has usually been the surer fortnight: 2 resorts had more snow-sure days late in the month and 1 resort early on. Each resort’s own month page has its numbers.

Questions

Where is the best snow for skiing in February?

Among the 44 resorts Cirque models, Val Thorens (11 of 11), Tignes (11 of 11), Chamonix (11 of 11), Les Deux Alpes (11 of 11) and Courchevel (11 of 11) have had the most reliable natural snow in February over the last 11 winters, counted as winters where mid-mountain had 30 cm or more on at least 90% of days.

Is February a good time to ski?

Yes, in the northern hemisphere: it is the heart of the season, and most resorts Cirque models have been snow-sure or usually good.

Does this include snowmaking?

No. These are modelled natural snow figures only, from ERA5 weather. Groomed pistes with snowmaking often ski better than this.

Is snow getting less reliable?

Eleven winters show how much one season differs from the next, not a long-term trend. Cirque does not draw trend conclusions from this record.