After a particularly hot summer in Europe, experts are predicting a “bleak future” for skiing in the EU bloc. However, they do predict that some of the higher-altitude ski resorts, like Val Thorens, are the safest bet for a ski vacation. Read on to find out the best ski resorts to visit in the winter of 2024/2025.

Where can travelers find good skiing in Europe this winter?

Unpredictable and warm weather has left ski slopes bare of snow in recent years. Moreover, this is a trend that is likely to continue and is already impacting the winter 2024/2025 ski season.

This has led to another French ski resort taking the tough decision to close its lifts for good after suffering a lack of snow. It was also impacted by low visitor numbers and growing debt from fewer guests.

Meanwhile, it isn’t only French resorts that are struggling. High temperatures in February 2024 also left ski resorts in Austria, Bosnia, Italy, Spain and Switzerland having bare slopes. Moreover, this has led to overcrowding at high-altitude resorts that do have snow. After emerging from the hottest summer on record, this problem is likely to continue into the 2024/2025 winter.

Europe’s ski resorts struggling to survive

Like many areas of the world, climate change is the main factor behind increasingly high temperatures in Europe. Moreover, 2024 was supercharged by El Niño. This is the natural weather phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean where changes in pressure lead warm water to flow to the east, bringing excessive heat along with it.

As the world moves out of this climate system, La Niña is likely to take over, which has a cooling effect. Due to this, winter this year is likely to be cooler than the last. However, will this bring enough snow to boost Europe’s ski resorts?

Cold start to winter could aid skiing

UK’s Met Office states that El Niña could increase rain, and potentially heavier and more frequent snowfall. The weather system normally means a cold start and a mild end to winter in Western Europe, which could see vacationers skiing this year.

However, El Niña can also be impacted by other global climate drivers which makes the impact hard to predict. According to a three-month indication reported by Météo France last month, offers only a 20 percent likelihood that October to December will be cooler than usual, versus a 40 percent chance of it being warmer than normal.

Which are the best locations for skiing this winter?

Even if weather conditions do improve this winter, this may be too late for several resorts, struggling from waning snowfall. Moreover, Grand Puy and Alpe du Grand Serre in France have already had to close down this year due to major economic losses.

– France

Meanwhile, the higher altitude resorts in France, like Avoriaz, Tignes, Val d’Isère and Val Thorens, are expected to open in late November.

– Finland

Moreover, skiing could start earlier at the Levi and Ruka ski resorts in Finland, which opened on October 4.

– Austria

Alternatively, Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in Zell am See in Austria launched its winter season on October 5. Another option is Sölden’s winter ski area in Austria, which is set to open in mid-November. Moreover, Ischgl’s normally long and reliable snow season is set to start at the end of November 2024.

– Switzerland / Italy

Diavolezza in Switzerland was predicted to open on October 19. Meanwhile, Cervinia, 2,050 meters up in the Italian Alps, is predicted to be another “snow-sure” location, set to open on October 26.