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
Weather radar showing clouds and showers over Algeria and Morocco. Next to it, a warning map with the rain area in Algeria marked. Surrounding regions mostly sunny and dry.
Thursday, 18 December 2025

Algeria affected

Rain in the desert
Map of Europe showing low pressure over Russia and a strong cold air flow towards Eastern Europe. Significant drop in temperatures across large parts of the east.
Thursday, 11 December 2025

Frost and snowfall

Cold air intrusion in Eastern Europe
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
Wednesday, 27 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Frontal system brings heavy rain
Monday, 25 August 2025

Bank holiday outlook

Warm day turning gusty in places
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
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

facebooktwittertikToklinkList