Home / Editor's Pick /

Skiing this half-term? Lack of snow in Swiss Alps

08:00
12 February 2023

Skiing this half-term?
Lack of snow in Swiss Alps

The Swiss Alps is currently experiencing very little snow cover, creating difficulty for skiiers.

Swiss ski resorts are lacking in snow owing to the very dry conditions recently, in coordination with a mild weather pattern for winter so far.

In some areas, such as Simplon Pass, there is even less snow than last season, which was also exceptionally dry. The above video was also taken in Saas Valley.

The highest Alpine glaciers 4000m above sea level were already suffering from a lack of snow, with this worsening the risk of crevasses.

crevasses

Average temperatures across the Swiss Alps have been hovering around 6-7C, far too high for the chance of snow. Gstaad even brought in helicopters to dump snow in the resorts of Zweisimmen and Saanenmöser to connect the two, though it didn't work.

According to researchers, the ski season in Europe has been reduced by 38 days since 1970. Switzerland in particular, is warming twice as fast as the global average.

However ski resorts do still remain open, and you can check the status of them if you're heading out there on our brand new and improved Mountain and Skiing conditions, inside our app.

You can find out information by searching for your chosen mountain location. The feature will then appear as a ski icon on the top right of the page, which, once tapped, will take you to all the details you need.

It will show whether a ski resort is open, the current snow depth, current conditions, and plenty more useful information right at your fingertips! More information is available right here.

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Dense green forest with tall trees as bright sunlight streams through the canopy, casting long shadows across the leafy ground.
Sunday 21 December 2025

Winter solstice

Days start getting longer from now!
Shooting stars, part of the Geminid meteor shower.
Saturday 13 December 2025

Spot a shooting star

King of meteor showers at its peak
People walk through muddy streets after heavy rain, alongside a rain map of Morocco.
Tuesday 16 December 2025

New rainfall in sight

Fatalities in Moroccan floods
All weather news
This might also interest you
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.
Wednesday 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList