Global Ski Weather & Snow Outlook #1

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Stay ahead of your next ski-touring adventure with this comprehensive weekly outlook. From North America’s bomb cyclone to Europe’s Alpine snowstorms, find out where to find the best powder and plan your trip accordingly.

Summary Table

RegionSnowfall*TimingPattern / FlowKey Notes
North America    (US + Canada)~20–60 cm (up to 60 cm in Atlantic Canada)Nor’easter Tue–Wed (East Coast) • Snow peaks Thu–Fri (Rockies & West) • Blizzard conditions Sat–SunRapidly deepening Nor’easter meets Arctic air • High-pressure ridge west; deep trough east • NW flow behind low-pressure frontsEarly-season storms have dropped 30–90 cm in the Rockies and Canada; Atlantic Canada may see up to 2 ft of snow • Avalanche bulletins warn of wind slabs despite stable storm snow • Cold air spreading across central/eastern Canada and the US


Europe (Alps)        ~10–40 cm (locally >50 cm)Light snow Wed–Thu • Heavy snow Sat–SunTransition from Greenland ridging to European trough • Cold polar air with low-pressure fronts • Northeasterly winds building wind slabsFrench resorts like Chamonix saw ~1 m in a day; avalanche danger climbed to level 4 • Midweek flurries followed by a strong front bringing heavy snow and gusty winds on Saturday • Swiss Alps expect scattered snow Thursday and heavier weekend falls • Avalanche bulletins report moderate danger with persistent weak layers and wind slabs


Japan (Hokkaido +  Honshu)30–80 cm (peaks >100 cm at some resorts)Scattered snow showers mid-week • Strong front & heavy snowfall by the weekendCold northwesterly flow ushers in a strong frontHakuba Valley recorded ~40 cm in a day; several resorts are opening early • Regular snowfall and cold air, with heavier snow and winds later in the week especially in northern Honshu (Hakuba, Nozawa) • Resorts such as Gassan Glacier and Okutadami Maruyama lead global new-snow charts


Himalaya (India–Pakistan– Nepal)5–20 cm (light to moderate)Early December (4–10 Dec)Western Disturbance brings moisture; easterly/northeasterly flowLight to moderate snow expected as a Western Disturbance passes; minimum temperatures will fluctuate, followed by a cold wave • Precipitation is near normal and no major snowstorms are forecast



North America

A powerful Nor’easter along the East Coast means blizzard conditions early in the week, while the Rockies and western regions get their biggest snow Thursday and Friday. Expect cold winds, deep powder in many Rockies resorts, and avalanche warnings in the backcountry.

Europe (Alps)
The Alps continue their stellar start to the season. French resorts like Chamonix have recorded up to a metre of snow in one day, and Switzerland, Austria, and Italy all expect additional storm cycles. Midweek flurries will give way to heavy snowfall and gusty winds on the weekend.

Japan
Japan is off to an incredible start, with Hakuba Valley picking up around 40 cm in a single day. Scattered snow showers mid-week build momentum for a strong front delivering heavy snowfall and gusty winds, especially over Northern Honshu. Resorts are topping global snowfall charts—pack your powder skis!

Himalaya
A passing Western Disturbance will deliver light to moderate snowfall across the Himalayan region. Expect between 5–20 cm of snow at higher altitudes, with temperatures dipping into cold-wave territory afterward. It’s a good time to start planning tours, as bigger snow cycles may follow.

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