Europe has some brilliant snowy destinations, and as ski season is well underway here are the top countries in Europe with the most snowfall per year – full list here
Switzerland has been named as the European country with the most snowfall — perfect for a 2025 ski getaway.
Finnish gaming experts at SuomiCasino have revealed and ranked the nations in Europe that experience the most annual snowfall, with the top place going to Switzerland. According to OnTheSnow data, Switzerland experiences 258cm of annual snowfall across its resorts, with France and Austria also achieving over 200cm snowfall annually (238cm and 201cm respectively).
Often described as one of the major ski capitals of the world, Switzerland sees nearly eight-and-a-half feet of snow each year. According to Myswitzerland, the likes of Zermatt, Arosa Lenzerheide, and Davos Klosters all offer the perfect setting for a snowy ski holiday.
There are 352 ski resorts in Switzerland, so travellers have plenty of choice. Les Portes du Soleil is the largest ski resort in the country, with around 580 kilometres of slopes. The area encompasses resorts across both Switzerland and France, including Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets, Châtel, Morgins, and Champéry.
The name of the resort translates to ‘the gates to the sun’, and it is located south of Lake Geneva. Another resort, Zermatt, is particularly enjoyed by beginners as it has designated nursery slopes and wide pistes to practice. The ski schools also have a good reputation. In addition, Zermatt also has Europe’s highest mountain station, set at 3883 metres.
If you’re looking for some cultural experiences as well as skiing, Villars resort has quality slopes and a charming village. The best time to ski in Switzerland is from December to March, with the peak season being Christmas to New Year — this is usually when it will be most expensive to visit. The best snow conditions are usually experienced between January and early March.
Following closely behind with 238cm of average annual snowfall is France. Despite being geographically close to the UK, France experiences substantial amounts of snow every year. This is due to their mean elevation above sea level (375 metres) towering over 200m of that in the UK (162 metres).
Austria closes out the top three with an average annual snowfall of 201cm. Austria is historically one of the staple holiday destinations for those looking for wintery weather, with access to some of the best Ski locations in Europe. Other great options for skiing include Italy and Norway, which both still benefit from over 100cm of snow fall per year.
Full list of European countries with the most annual snowfall:
1. Switzerland = 258cm
2. France = 238cm
3. Austria = 201cm
4. Norway = 178cm
5. Italy = 144cm
6. Poland = 101cm
7. Germany = 100cm
=8. Finland = 98cm
=8. Slovakia = 98cm
9. Bulgaria = 96cm
10. Czechia = 89cm