Christmas is just on the horizon, and nothing feels more festive than seeing snowfall on the big day. If you combine fresh flakes with twinkly lights and a glass of mulled wine, then you’re sure to be filled with the joys of the season. This year (2024 versus 2023) we’ve seen a 26% rise in ski holiday bookings over the festive period, and we think that Christmas or New Year on the slopes is always incredibly special – so we can see why it is so popular!
But where are you most likely to experience fresh snow falling on Christmas Day, otherwise known as a ‘White Christmas’? To determine this, we analysed 150 ski resorts across the world and dug into historic snowfall data to see which resorts are most likely to see fresh flakes on the big day. For each resort we’ve noted down how many days (out of seven) are typically snowy during the fourth week of December, as well as average snowfall (in cm) that week.
Top Resorts for a ‘White Christmas’
According to our analysis, Fernie and Whistler in Canada are the top resorts where skiers enjoying the slopes are most likely to experience a ‘White Christmas’, with fresh snow falling on Christmas Day. There is around a 73% chance of snow on Christmas Day in these two popular Canadian resorts, and it’s likely to snow five days out of seven in week four of December.
Following Fernie and Whistler’s top positions are the popular Norwegian resorts of Myrkdalen and Voss, which have a 70% and 69% chance (respectively) of seeing fresh snow on Christmas Day in 2024. Seven resorts in Canada made up the top 10, as well as two from Norway and one from the USA. Within the top twenty there are a lot more Norwegian ski resorts, as well as several resorts in the USA, and also Canadian resorts.
The 20 resorts where snow is most likely to fall on Christmas Day are as follows:
| Rank | Resort | Country | Average Snowy Days in Week 4 of December | % Chance of Snow on Christmas Day |
| 1 | Whistler | Canada | 5.1 | 73% |
| 2 | Fernie | Canada | 5.1 | 73% |
| 3 | Myrkdalen | Norway | 4.9 | 70% |
| 4 | Voss | Norway | 4.8 | 69% |
| 5 | Kicking Horse | Canada | 4.6 | 66% |
| 6 | Revelstoke | Canada | 4.5 | 64% |
| 7 | Jackson Hole | United States | 4.4 | 63% |
| 8 | Sun Peaks | Canada | 4.3 | 61% |
| 9 | Big White | Canada | 4.2 | 60% |
| 10 | Lake Louise | Canada | 4.2 | 60% |
| 11 | Aspen | United States | 4.1 | 59% |
| 12 | Vail | United States | 4 | 57% |
| 13 | Beaver Creek | United States | 3.9 | 56% |
| 14 | Narvik | Norway | 3.9 | 56% |
| 15 | Beitostølen | Norway | 3.9 | 56% |
| 16 | Geilo | Norway | 3.8 | 54% |
| 17 | Breckenridge | United States | 3.7 | 53% |
| 18 | Panorama | Canada | 3.7 | 53% |
| 19 | Trysil | Norway | 3.7 | 53% |
| 20 | Gausta | Norway | 3.6 | 51% |
On average, across all the 150 resorts explored in our research, there is a 43% chance of fresh snow on Christmas Day – so fresh flakes are typical on around three days of seven, in the fourth week of December.
The countries (and states) where snow is most likely on Christmas Day include Canada – British Columbia (63% chance), USA – Wyoming (also 63%), USA – Colorado (56%), Canada – Alberta (54%), and Norway (53%).
Top Resorts for a ‘White Christmas’ – in Europe specifically
If you’re looking to stay more local, then rest assured there are still plenty of options closer-to-home, where snow on Christmas Day is still highly likely. Within the top ten for Europe, Norwegian resorts took eight of the spots, making this the top European country for a ‘White Christmas’ on the slopes. The Swedish resort of Sälen, and the French ski resort of St Martin de Belleville also featured on the list.
The 10 European resorts where snow is most likely to fall on Christmas Day are as follows:
| Rank | Country | Resort | Average Snowy Days in Week 4 of December | % Chance of Snow on Christmas Day |
| 1 | Norway | Myrkdalen | 4.9 | 70% |
| 2 | Norway | Voss | 4.8 | 69% |
| 3 | Norway | Narvik | 3.9 | 56% |
| 4 | Norway | Beitostølen | 3.9 | 56% |
| 5 | Norway | Geilo | 3.8 | 54% |
| 6 | Norway | Trysil | 3.7 | 53% |
| 7 | Norway | Gausta | 3.6 | 51% |
| 8 | Norway | Hemsedal | 3.6 | 51% |
| 9 | Sweden | Sälen | 3.5 | 50% |
| 10 | France | St Martin de Belleville | 3.4 | 49% |
| 11 | Switzerland | Andermatt | 3.2 | 46% |
| 12 | Austria | Sölden | 3.2 | 46% |
| 13 | Switzerland | Davos | 3.1 | 44% |
| 14 | Austria | Kühtai | 3.1 | 44% |
| 15 | Switzerland | Arosa | 3.1 | 44% |
| 16 | Austria | Obergurgl | 3.1 | 44% |
| 17 | Norway | Kvitfjell | 3.1 | 44% |
| 18 | Austria | Lech | 3 | 43% |
| 19 | Austria | Zürs | 3 | 43% |
| 20 | Switzerland | Verbier | 3 | 43% |
Top Resorts Where Snow is Likely to be Deepest Over the Festive Period
For those looking to hit the slopes, deep and fresh snow is often particularly appealing. With this in mind, we also looked at the resorts that typically see the most snowfall in the fourth week of December – based on average depth in centimetres.
The resorts where the fresh snow is likely to be deepest over the Christmas period include Whistler in Canada (averaging 62cm of snow), Myrkdalen in Norway (49cm), Palisades Tahoe in the USA (45 cm), Lech in Austria (44cm) and Zürs in Austria (also 44cm).
The 20 resorts with the deepest snow on average in week four of December are as follows:
| Rank | Resort | Country | Average snowfall (in cm) in Week 4 of December |
| 1 | Whistler | Canada | 62 |
| 2 | Myrkdalen | Norway | 49 |
| 3 | Palisades Tahoe | United States | 45 |
| 4 | Lech | Austria | 44 |
| 5 | Zürs | Austria | 44 |
| 6 | St. Anton | Austria | 43 |
| 7 | Stuben | Austria | 43 |
| 8 | Warth-Schröcken | Austria | 43 |
| 9 | Chamonix | France | 43 |
| 10 | St. Christoph | Austria | 41 |
| 11 | Voss | Norway | 40 |
| 12 | Verbier | Switzerland | 38 |
| 13 | Zermatt | Switzerland | 38 |
| 14 | La Rosière | France | 38 |
| 15 | Les Arcs | France | 38 |
| 16 | Ischgl | Austria | 37 |
| 17 | Jackson Hole | United States | 36 |
| 18 | Gstaad | Switzerland | 36 |
| 19 | Flaine | France | 36 |
| 20 | Nendaz | Switzerland | 35 |
Demand for Ski Holidays Over the Festive Period is Up
As we’ve already mentioned, we’ve had 26% more bookings for ski holidays over the festive period this year, versus last year. Digging into this more, average bookings are for five people and have a duration of seven nights. While the most popular arrival date is 28th December, for New Year breaks, the second most popular arrival date is 21st December, which is perfect for the Christmas period.
Over Christmas, the most popular resorts for bookings this year are Val d’Isère, Tignes, Val Thorens, Les Arcs and Courchevel. While if we broaden this out to include the entire festive period (Christmas and New Year) top resorts in 2024 came out as Val d’Isère, Val Thorens, Geilo, Obergurgl and Tignes.
The Most Festive Resorts, in Our Experience
For extra festive fun, we’ve listed a few of our top recommended resorts at Christmas.
While fresh snowfall on Christmas Day may not be quite as likely at all these destinations, in our experience, these locations really do pull out all the stops to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for visitors and locals alike.
Les Gets in France turns into a snowy winter wonderland at Christmas. Children love the guided tours of the enchanted forest where Father Christmas lives with his elves. Here he tells magical stories and children can join in elf workshops that include face painting and chocolate making. Father Christmas is also often spotted skiing around the village, so be on the lookout. On Christmas Eve there is a torchlit ski descent with fireworks too, which is definitely worth a watch!
Zell am See in Austria is always alive with Christmas festivity this time of year. Running from the end of November, the Zell am See Christmas market is laden with woodwork made by local craftsmen, baked Austrian sweets and plenty of Glühwein of course!
Megève in France looks just like a Christmas card in December. The ice sculpted nativity set, Christmas lights illuminating the streets and the jingle from horse-drawn sleighs add to its many charms. The village was built around a medieval church, where there is an enormous Christmas tree adorned with Swarovski crystals too – even Father Christmas makes an appearance!
Aspen in North America becomes a chic winter wonderland over Christmas. Wreaths with red ribbons hang from lampposts, lights twinkle in the trees and boutique windows have festive displays. You can ice skate across the outdoor rink before enjoying a warming hot chocolate or mulled wine and children can take a sleigh ride or try designing a gingerbread house and decorate cookies together. We suggest this is followed by a trip to Santa’s Village for some carol singing.
Les Arcs in France offers a very special Christmas experience in the Alps. On Christmas Eve, the torchlight descent and firework display see crowds of cheering spectators warming their hands on a cup of vin chaud. The Christmas Village is popular too – children can meet Santa, get a photo, and even dig into a hot chocolate laden with marshmallows.
Saas-Fee in Switzerland is often best remembered for being featured in Wham’s Last Christmas music video. This car-free chocolate box village has plenty of charming chalets and hotels to spend Christmas in the Alps at. There is a lively après-ski scene at Nestis Ski Bar, and don’t miss the carol singing accompanied by a brass band in the run-up to the big day.
Val d’Isère is particularly popular over Christmas and New Year. ‘Enchanted Christmas’ runs from the 23rd to 29th December and includes giant snow sculptures, fun family-friendly activities, live shows and a visit from Santa himself. If you’re there on Christmas Day itself, be sure to catch the French National Ski School’s Christmas Spectacular, complete with a stunning fireworks display.
Val Gardena in Italy is made up of charming wooden chalets blanketed in snow and has a Christmas market that runs between 1 – 30 December. Peruse the stalls for delicate baubles, crafted wooden carvings and gastronomic specialities. For a sugary treat, we recommend the local honey and biscuits with a warm glass of mulled wine.
St. Anton in Austria celebrate Christmas the traditional Austrian way with ‘Krampus’ – where locals dress up and parade in 100-year-old devil costumes. Don’t miss the Arlberg ski school’s show with impressive jumps and stunts as well as an encapsulating firework display.
At Alpe d’Huez in France locals start the celebrations at the beginning of December. You can catch the Christmas lights being turned on amid carols, hot chocolate and vin chaud. You can expect a busy programme of events such as Christmas walks, ice shows and Christmas carols.
Our Conclusion
It’s great to see that so many people are set to experience a ski holiday over the festive period, and in many resorts snowfall is highly likely to be – as the song goes – deep and crisp and even! Snow is of course pretty vital to a great ski trip, so we’ve also done some very thorough research on the most ‘snow sure’ resorts across the world, revealing a list of locations where are you most likely to find optimal skiing conditions. We’ll see you there!
Sources and Methodology
- We collated a list of over 150 top ski resorts across the world.
- Using Snow Forecast (https://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/) we then explored the snowfall ‘history’ at each resort, noting down average snowfall in cm and snowy days (out of seven) in week four of December.
- To work out the % likelihood of snow on Christmas Day, we divided the number of snowy days in week four of December by seven (seven days in the week), and then converted this to a percentage.
