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Planning a ski holiday for the 2025/26 winter season? Whether you're chasing fresh powder in the Alps, the Canadian Rockies, or Colorado’s high-altitude gems, knowing what to expect from this year’s snowfall outlook can make all the difference.
Winter 2025/26 is shaping up to be influenced by a developing La Niña, a climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean that affects global atmospheric circulation. While no forecast can promise exact snowfall totals, long-range models like ECMWF, UKMO, and updates from Severe Weather Europe provide a strong indication of likely snowfall trends across Europe, the USA, and Canada.
In this guide, we decode those predictions and translate them into practical insights for skiers, by month and region, so you can plan ahead your ski holiday smarter, earlier, and better.
The major climate driver this winter is a weak to moderate La Niña. La Niña forms when sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific are cooler than average, impacting the jet stream, storm tracks, and regional precipitation patterns.
According to NOAA, Copernicus, and Severe Weather Europe:
Source: NOAA ENSO Outlook, Sept 2025
(Ref: Met Office)
Europe is harder to forecast than North America, but early signs suggest a normal to slightly snowy winter, especially in high-altitude resorts.
| Month | Snowfall Trend | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| November | Below average | Slow start across Alps, Pyrenees, and Balkans |
| December | Slight improvement | Gradual increase in snow, mainly in central and eastern Alps |
| January | Above average | Peak snowfall potential across Austria, Switzerland, France |
Late season snowfall across Europe is always trickier to predict, but some models suggest the potential for cold spells in February, especially linked to Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) or NAO (negative North Atlantic Oscillation) events. These can trigger snowfall bursts even in March, particularly across the Alps and Eastern Europe. For April skiing, glacier resorts such as Hintertux, Zermatt, and Tignes remain solid bets above 1,800 m (5,905 ft).
(Ref: Met Office)
| Storm type | Hits best in | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nordstau | Northern Alps | Cold NW flow storms for Austria/Switzerland |
| Südstau | Southern Alps/Dolomites | Moisture-rich Med lows for Italy |
| Retour d’Est | SE France/NW Italy | Rare, intense easterly snowfall |
| Föhn | Alpine valleys | Warm, dry downslope winds (melts snow fast) |
A weak La Niña tilts the odds toward above average snowfall in the northern states and drier conditions in the south. Key ski regions should do well this season.
| Month | Snowfall Trend | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| November | Below average | Weak start in the West and Northeast; scattered snow in Midwest and Rockies |
| December | Average | Good base-building month in Colorado, Utah, and Midwest |
| January | Above average | Peak conditions expected for Rockies, Midwest, and parts of Northeast |
Long range patterns suggest that February 2026 may maintain active snowfall, particularly in the Rockies, Midwest, and Northeast, if the polar jet stream continues its southward dip. However, March and April usually bring rising temperatures, especially in the southern Rockies and Southeast, where snowfall tends to taper off. For late season skiing, high-altitude Colorado resorts like Breckenridge, Telluride, and Vail, as well as northern locations like Killington (VT), typically hold their snowpack well into spring.
(Ref: UKMO)
Canadian resorts are set for a strong season, especially in British Columbia and the Alberta Rockies.
| Month | Snowfall Trend | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| November | Above average | Early storms likely in British Columbia and Alberta |
| December | Consistent | Strong base expected in Banff, Fernie, Whistler |
| January | Excellent | Deep snowpack across the Canadian Rockies |
Western Canada often sees one of the longest ski seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. For February through April, resorts like Whistler Blackcomb, Banff, Fernie, and Kicking Horse continue to benefit from cold continental air masses and sustained La Niña influenced snowfall patterns. As temperatures gradually climb, snow conditions remain reliable at high elevations, with spring skiing often extending into late April or even May in select alpine zones.
Planning your trip around snow patterns can help you chase the best conditions. Here’s a general guide to where snowfall is most reliable, month by month, based on current 2025/26 projections and historical patterns:
| Month | Best Snowfall Regions | Suggested Resorts |
|---|---|---|
| November | Scandinavia, Northern Rockies, Canadian West | Levi (FI), Banff (CA), Whistler Blackcomb (CA), Keystone (US) |
| December | Alps (above 1,800m), Colorado, Northern Japan | Val Thorens (FR), Zermatt (CH), Breckenridge (US), Fernie (CA) |
| January | Alps (wider range), Midwest & Northeast US, Eastern Canada | St. Anton (AT), Jackson Hole (US), Killington (US), Tremblant (CA) |
| February | Most major ranges, peak snow reliability | Vail (US), Kicking Horse (CA), La Plagne (FR), Park City (US) |
| March | Western Canada, Colorado, Southern Alps | Banff (CA), Telluride (US), Val d’Isère (FR), Whistler (CA) |
| April | High-altitude/glacier resorts in Europe & Canada | Hintertux (AT), Tignes (FR), Sunshine Village (CA), Mammoth (US-late spring only) |
Winter 2025/26 may begin slow in Europe and parts of the US, but La Niña is expected to deliver strong snowfalls by January in major destinations. From the Alps to the Rockies to the Canadian West, the snowfall outlook improves significantly as the season progresses. For the best experience, target mid-January for peak snow conditions in most regions. Canada offers a solid bet from early November, while the US Rockies and European Alps will likely hit their stride after the new year.
To increase your chances of a snow filled ski holiday, stick with high-altitude resorts (above 1,800 m/5,905 ft) to ensure early snow coverage. Remain flexible with your travel dates, especially if you're planning for December or early March. And always monitor short-term weather forecasts in the 7 to 14 day window before your trip. These will give you the most accurate picture of incoming snowstorms.
