The best powder skiing resorts, according to science

Worlds softest snow 

Powder snow - light, fluffy, and freshly fallen - is a legend in the skiing world, eliciting ear-to-ear smiles for ski obsessives. 

Not only is powder skiing visually spectacular, with pillowing plumes of snow in each turn and twinkling snowflakes in the sunlight, but most would agree that there’s no better feeling than a powder snow day when on a ski holiday. 

But what exactly makes powder snow so perfect - and where in the world can you find the best of it? 

To find out, we teamed up with Jim N.R. Dale, founder and senior meteorologist at British Weather Services. With decades of expertise in his field, including time as a meteorological observer in the Royal Navy, Jim has helped us determine the ideal meteorological and topographical factors that produce the softest, fluffiest powder snow.

Armed with Jim’s scientific benchmarks, we analysed the average ski season conditions across over 120 ski resorts and areas, spanning 13 countries, to help us determine where the best powder skiing resorts are, according to science.

How did we determine what makes the best powder snow? 

Jim explained that to get the best powder snow for skiing, there are several meteorological and topographical factors involved. However, there are a couple of components that are more important than others. 

Without stating the obvious, the first - and perhaps most important element - is that there is snow! According to Jim, the ideal snow depth for that powdery snow feeling is between 5 and 10 cm; any deeper and the snow could verge from the satisfying fluffy feeling to feeling unstable on your skis. 

Next, the air temperature should ideally be “freezer cold” or between -3 and -10 degrees Celsius, to deliver the required fluffy snow make-up. Interestingly, Jim says that despite common belief, it can never be too cold to snow. 

Similarly, the surface ground temperature should sit between -2 and -6 degrees Celsius; any higher and the snow is prone to melt, and any lower makes the fallen snow prone to ice formation. 

In addition to the above elements, the relative humidity in the air can make a big difference, too. Ideally, the lower the better for powder snow, but somewhere between 40-60% relative humidity should be perfect. 

What’s more, Jim says that lower wind speeds (less than 10mph) are ideal as higher winds could create “effective drifting” and cause the snowflakes to clump together - in both the air and on the surface. Similarly, higher slopes - those more than 2,500 metres above sea level - will help to maintain the snow once it's landed on the ground. 

Explore the top 25 ski resorts for the best powder snow

1. Westendorf, Austria

Powder Snow Score: 84.8/100

Westendorf is one of Austria’s best-loved small resorts, and according to our research, the place where skiers can find the best powder snow. Westendorf is an idyllic, unspoilt resort nestled on a sunny plateau and offers easy access to the Kitzbühel and SkiWelt Regions. 
While Westendorf has slopes for all levels of ski skills, including nursery slopes and an excellent children’s programme, the resort also has some more challenging slopes that more experienced skiiers can sink their teeth into.

2. Ortisei, Italy

Powder Snow Score: 84/100

Ortisei came second in our study. This resort is located in the Dolomites ski area of Italy, and with easy access to the Sellaronda ski circuit, offers genuinely world-class skiing. It stands out as a vibrant and characterful ski resort, with a lively centre, and of course, some of the best powder snow in the world. 
For thrill-seeking skiers, the pistes and terrains in Ortisei don’t disappoint. This, paired with its blend of shops, cafes, pastel-coloured buildings, and woodcarving workshops, makes the resort an inviting ski escape for those looking to balance their on and off-slope time. 

3. Gressoney, Italy

Powder Snow Score: 80.2/100

Rounding out the top three is Gressoney, a warm and traditional Italian ski resort located in the Monterosa ski area. Gressoney’s high-altitude skiing of up to 3,550 metres means powder snow is highly likely during the peak ski season. 
This beautiful, unspoilt area has been dubbed by many as one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, and skiers and boarders on the quest for powder snow can head up the Punta Indren lift, which takes thrill seekers to a dedicated off-piste area. But remember, when going off-piste, it’s recommended to do so with a guide. 

4. Lech, Austria

Powder Snow Score: 79/100

The tremendous and picturesque Lech in Austria ranked fourth in our study. As one of Austria’s most exclusive resorts, Lech offers the perfect blend of powder snow, high altitude skiing, and charming alpine village vibes. 
Lech has no shortage of powder snow, and most slopes in this resort are wide, sunny, and  smooth all day long. Beyond skiing, Lech is renowned for its high-quality apres ski lifestyle - think luxury hotels and fine dining. In fact, the Dutch royal family is a regular visitor, and it was even a favourite of Princess Diana, too. 

5. Soldeu, Andorra

Powder Snow Score: 77.6/100

The population of Andorra might be small, but its ski offering is mighty, with the Soldeu resort ranking fifth in our research for the best powder snow. This resort is part of the Grandvalira ski area and is excellent for all levels of skiers, with over 200 kilometres of slopes. 
In the Soldeu resort, skiers and boarders will find the legendary Avet slope, which was the venue for the FIS Ski World Cup Finals 2019 and 2023, alongside the 2022 Europa Cup Finals. Combined with its exceptional natural background, Soldeu also has a variety of nightclubs, making for a perfect apres ski experience. 

6. Andermatt, Switzerland

Powder Snow Score: 75.3/100

Andermatt in Switzerland ranked sixth, and it’s no surprise - this Swiss ski resort has a cult reputation for having one of the best snow records in the Alps. This resort is set in the quiet, charming village of Andermatt, and is home to some of the world’s best off-piste terrains. 
When not enjoying the slopes, skiers and boarders can make the most of the traditional Swiss charm and treat themselves to one of the village’s six Michelin-starred restaurants. 

7. Champoluc, Italy

Powder Snow Score: 75/100

Champoluc is an unspoiled village in the Monterosa ski area of Italy, where visitors are sure to find snow. This hidden gem offers a truly authentic Italian snowsports experience for skiers and boarders. Pistes in Champoluc often feel empty compared to neighbouring countries, which inevitably means minimal queuing, and for those seeking powder snow, more untouched snow to enjoy. 
After a busy day on the slopes, visitors may want to retire to the local Monterosa Spa for some well-needed pampering. 

8. Madonna di Campiglio, Italy

Powder Snow Score: 74.5/100

Ranking eighth is Italy’s Madonna di Campiglio. This resort truly lives up to its name as the ‘Pearl of the Dolomites’ with its tree-lined pistes and luxury skiing experience. 
Until recent years, the ski resort was somewhat of a closely guarded secret, although it’s said to have been attracting the elite of Europe since the 19th century. For powder seekers, there are many powder slopes to explore - and even some low-angle powder slopes for anyone looking to learn the powder ropes.

9. Alpe d'Huez, France

Powder Snow Score: 73.9/100

Our research found Alpe d’Huez in France to be the ninth best place to find powder snow. This resort has a wonderful open snow-bowl, and although it’s dominated by the Pic Blanc Glacier, which offers high-altitude skiing of up to 3,300m, there’s still plenty of opportunities for those who are less experienced. 

In the centre of the town, skiers and boarders will find plenty of cosy spots to enjoy classic alpine dishes, such as popular cheeses. It’s also renowned for its lively apres scene, with plenty of late-night dancing options for those who want to keep the fun of the day going. 

10. Ischgl, Austria

Powder Snow Score: 73.2/100

Rounding out the top ten best places to find powder snow is another Austrian resort - Ischgl. This large ski area offers high-altitude skiing perfect for powder enthusiasts, and some seriously lively apres ski. 

Ischgl prides itself on its state-of-the-art lift system, many of which are high-speed and even heated - perfect for keeping comfortable in the cold temperatures. 

The pulsating village offers fantastic apres ski, so much so that it’s often referred to as the ‘Ibiza of the Alps’. Ski hard or party hard - the choice is yours (or both!). 

As our research shows, getting that dreamy, cloud-like powder snow feeling isn’t just the stuff of chance - it takes a whole host of weather conditions, and a tad of good luck. 

But, with some careful, strategic planning and choosing destinations where powder snow is naturally built into the climate, you can increase your chances of powder snow bliss. 

So, whether you’re heading to the piste to sharpen your skills or apres ski is more your vibe, consider booking somewhere from our list to ensure you can experience a winter powder snow experience to remember. 

Methodology 

After working with Jim N.R. Dale to determine the meteorological and topographical factors that produce the softest, fluffiest powder snow, we used Weather Atlas data to gather information on surface temperature, snowfall levels, humidity, air temperature, wind speed, and elevation for over 120 popular ski resorts across, spanning 13 countries. The data was collected for the winter months in the northern hemisphere (Dec-Feb). 

Our benchmarks for the best powder snow, as defined by Jim, were as follows: 

• Surface temperature: between -2 and -6 degrees Celsius
• Snowfall levels: between 5 and 10 cm
• Humidity: between 40-60%
• Air temperature: between -3 and -10 degrees Celsius
• Wind speed: <10mph
• Elevation: >2,500m

Our scoring system then scored each of these factors, with those with winter averages closest to the ‘ideal’ conditions specified by our expert. Our final ‘powder snow score’ is a combination of all six metrics, with the locations scoring highest across the board = best powder snow. 

Data correct as of Oct 2025.