J2Ski Snow Report - March 5th 2026
J2Ski Snow Report - March 5th 2026
Published : 05-Mar-2026 19:28
Dramatic Powder Shots in Alta, Utah, USA this week...
After a largely sunny, springlike week across much of Europe, most Alpine resorts boast deep bases following February's storms, while Scandinavia and parts of North America have seen the freshest snow. Resorts continue to open more terrain as avalanche danger eases, though lower slopes are thawing in the valleys
The Snow Headlines - March 5th
- After 3 m/10 ft in 10 days last month, St Moritz tops Alps snowfall this week with 12 cm/5 inches.
- Most snowfall reported in Europe this week in Scandinavia, especially Norway.
- Scotland's Nevis Range closes for skiing until conditions improve.
- 3 Valleys reaches seasonal high of 97% of slopes open.
A little more Snow forecast.
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World Overview
Spring has arrived across much of Europe as well as parts of North America, even if we are initially only in meteorological springtime.
There's been lots of sunshine, mild temperatures and very little new snowfall over the past week.
After February's huge storms brought up to 3 m/10 ft of snow in ten days, most resorts are now sitting on healthy bases and offering their widest range of terrain of the season, including steeper slopes that only recently became skiable. Avalanche danger is easing too, adding to the sense of a settled spell.
Fresh snow has mainly favoured the far north, where Norway and Scandinavia are moving into classic spring-skiing mode with colder temperatures keeping conditions crisp.
Over in North America it's more mixed with the West seeing intermittent snow but still-mild weather, while the East remains firmly wintry with repeated storms.
Japan is trending more towards the Western US across the Pacific with milder temperatures and much less snowfall, so we may be near the end of 'Japow' times until next winter, although the country's larger resorts tend to stay open to Golden Week in early May.
Europe
Austria
Austria kept up last week's snowfall longer than the other major Alpine nations but it has been predominantly sunny with only the odd flurry.
Freezing levels briefly rose to around 3,000 m/9,843 ft at the weekend, above the top lifts of most Austrian ski areas. Conditions have since cooled slightly with the freezing level between 1,000–2,000 m/3,281–6,562 ft most days. Afternoons feel springlike, with valley temperatures reaching double figures.
Austrian resorts had been more in need of fresh snow than elsewhere in the Alps, having missed out on the falls in the Western Alps, but recent snow has improved cover and reopened terrain. There's little change in the forecast for the coming week.
France
A second week of mostly sunny weather continues across the French Alps.
Last week's warmth briefly pushed the freezing level to 3,000 m/9,843 ft, but it has since eased back to 1,000–2,000 m/3,281–6,562 ft.
The settled conditions after the big snowfalls a fortnight ago have allowed areas to open more terrain and the 3 Valleys, the world's largest area, has reached its closest to fully open all season with over 340 of its 355 slopes available. Valley temperatures have been getting up to +10°C/+50°F in the afternoons, while upper slopes above around 2,500 m/8,202 ft stayed below freezing.
Resorts still hold some of Europe's deepest cover after January's exceptional snowfall, with most operating close to full capacity.
Avalanche danger has eased slightly to Level 3 (still Considerable) in many areas. Alpe d'Huez's base has settled from its 4.3 m/14 ft peak, and Val Thorens now reports the country's deepest upper-mountain snow at 3.9 m/13 ft.
The coming weekend should bring some snow showers on higher terrain, heaviest in the southern Alps, but not a lot is forecast.
Italy
The Paralympics begin this weekend in Cortina d'Ampezzo with conditions expected to be more springlike than during the recent Winter Olympics. Afternoon temperatures in Italian valleys are forecast to reach around +15°C/+59°F, with the freezing level rising to about 3,000 m/9,843 ft at times, leaving even high slopes above freezing for several hours a day.
It has been a mostly sunny week following nationwide snowfall more than a week ago, which delivered the best base depths of the season and the widest terrain openings so far.
La Thuile on the French border continues to post the country's deepest snowpack at 280 cm/110 inches as it has all winter.
Staying mostly dry for the week ahead with light snowfall expected in the northeast.
Switzerland
Swiss ski resorts are enjoying a long spell of sunshine, nearly a fortnight now, with valley temperatures climbing as high as +15°C/+59°F and even 3,000 m/9,843 ft summits nudging above freezing in the afternoons.
The clear weather follows 10 days of heavy snowfall in the latter half of last month, allowing the snowpack to settle and more terrain to reopen. Conditions have steadily improved as a result.
The 4 Vallées has the most terrain open, more than 90% of its slopes, and Leukerbad and Lötschental are posting the country's deepest bases at 3 m/10 ft.
Another mostly dry forecast for the week ahead, with some light snow showers on higher slopes in the west.
Scandinavia
Given the time of year it is no surprise that Scandinavia has bucked much of Europe's dry, mild trend, staying colder than most of the continent.
It has also delivered fresh snow, light in most areas but western Norway has seen some decent dumps, albeit sometimes a little on the wet side. Røldal posted 30 cm/12 inches in 48 hours at the weekend, coastal Voss 35 cm/14 inches.
Even in Scandinavia daytime highs have crept above freezing up to Finland, but overnight lows on higher terrain still reach -20°C/-4°F, so the short thaw spells at bases have little impact on overall depth or quality. Most areas in the region remain close to fully open.
Pyrenees
Sunshine has dominated the Pyrenees again this week, with temperatures a touch cooler than last week and the freezing level mostly between 1,500–2,000 m/4,921–6,562 ft. Snow depths remain outstanding after an exceptionally snowy winter, in some places the best for 30 years.
Most areas still hold at least 2 m/7 ft of snow, with over 3 m/10 ft on higher slopes. Virtually all pistes are open, led by Andorra's Grandvalira, which also hosted FIS Alpine World Cup ski racing at the weekend in Soldeu El Tarter, which is 99% open.
Scotland
After a strong, cold first half of winter, Scotland's ski centres are feeling the impact of a milder spell that is steadily shrinking lower-level terrain cover.
Cairngorm and Glenshee remain the most resilient, still offering a good spread of pistes, while Glencoe advises that current conditions best suit intermediates and above unless taking lessons. The Lecht continues to run a slimmed-down offering, bolstered by its all-weather snowmaking.
Nevis Range, the only area without that technology, announced on Friday that rain and thawing have temporarily rendered its slopes unskiable.
Eastern Europe
Much of eastern Europe has seen bright, settled weather paired with slightly cooler temperatures than further west. Daytime valley readings have been climbing up to +10°C/+50°F, while a 1,500 m/4,921 ft freezing line and -10°C/+14°F nights on higher slopes have preserved solid snow quality. Lower areas are cycling through freeze–thaw, but upper pistes remain reliably firm.
Most resorts describe conditions as strong for early spring with Slovakia's Jasná 90% open. Bulgaria's Bansko, boosted by a major upper-mountain snowfall last week, now reports a 2.5 m/8 ft base and 100% of its runs open.
North America
Canada
Western Canada has seen a mainly sunny week with occasional light to moderate snowfalls which have pushed avalanche danger higher than normal, due to strong winds and a weak layer below. Upper-mountain bases remain deep and most terrain is open.
Whistler Blackcomb reports nearly 2.5 m/8 ft up top now, while interior BC resorts report up to 1.5 m/5 ft bases and 96% of their runs available.
In Alberta, Banff's Sunshine and Lake Louise hold strong mid-winter cover and are at almost full operation. Eastern Canada remains cold and well covered, with Tremblant and other leading resorts in the region close to fully open.
USA
The US has seen contrasting conditions this week, with the West split between sunshine and scattered snow showers, while the East remains firmly in midwinter, bolstered by repeated major storms. Hopes for a sustained cold, snowy pattern in the West have not fully materialised, though parts of the Pacific Coast and northern Rockies have picked up 90–120 cm/35–47 inches of new snow over the past week.
Some smaller, lower-elevation areas have already called time on their seasons, but major resorts continue to expand terrain. California stands out, with Mammoth Mountain 100% open after huge February totals.
In the East, deep cover and sub-zero temperatures persist, delivering one of the best seasons of recent years, with leading resorts in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and New York operating close to fully open.
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