Where to ski in November: the surest natural snow

The short answer

No resort Cirque models has been a sure thing for natural snow in November. The best odds have been at Treble Cone (6 of 11), Las Leñas (5 of 11) and Whistler Blackcomb (4 of 11), counting winters in which mid-mountain had 30 cm or more on at least 90% of November days. Snowmaking and glaciers matter more this month.

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

The Alps

Hit and miss: Cervinia (4 of 11) and Zermatt (4 of 11). A gamble: Chamonix (2 of 11), Obergurgl (2 of 11), Tignes (2 of 11), Verbier (2 of 11), Val Thorens (2 of 11), Les Deux Alpes (2 of 11), Ischgl (0 of 11), Courchevel (0 of 11), St. Anton (0 of 11), Cortina d’Ampezzo (0 of 11) and Val Gardena (0 of 11).

North America

Hit and miss: Whistler Blackcomb (4 of 11). A gamble: Banff Sunshine (0 of 11), Big Sky (0 of 11), Jackson Hole (0 of 11), Revelstoke (0 of 11), Mammoth Mountain (0 of 11) and Alta (0 of 11).

New Zealand

Hit and miss: Treble Cone (6 of 11). A gamble: Cardrona (0 of 11), The Remarkables (0 of 11), Coronet Peak (0 of 11) and Mt Hutt (0 of 11).

South America

Hit and miss: Las Leñas (5 of 11). A gamble: Valle Nevado (3 of 11) and Cerro Catedral (1 of 11).

Go high

At Zermatt, Cervinia, Whistler Blackcomb, Treble Cone, Valle Nevado and Cerro Catedral, the summit was snow-sure in November in at least 9 of the last 11 winters when mid-mountain was not. If you are going to one of these in November, the top of the mountain is where natural snow has been dependable.

Early or late November?

Across the resorts with snow this month, the second half of November has usually been the surer fortnight: 19 resorts had more snow-sure days late in the month and 8 resorts early on. Each resort’s own month page has its numbers.

Questions

Where is the best snow for skiing in November?

Among the 44 resorts Cirque models, Treble Cone (6 of 11), Las Leñas (5 of 11) and Whistler Blackcomb (4 of 11) have had the most reliable natural snow in November over the last 11 winters, counted as winters where mid-mountain had 30 cm or more on at least 90% of days.

Is November a good time to ski?

It is a shoulder month. A few high or late-season resorts have natural snow; most rely on snowmaking or are closed.

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.