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Rule First Tracks

Fresh Snow Forecast - Alps

European Alps, Switzerland

Fresh snow forecast for the Alps. Track powder conditions at Zermatt, Chamonix, Grindelwald for pristine mountain photography.

This forecast identifies the magic window after Alpine snowfall: when fresh powder has stopped falling, skies are clearing, and legendary peaks emerge in pristine white. We track snowfall accumulation, clearing patterns, and visibility to predict optimal conditions.

The European Alps receive abundant snowfall from Mediterranean and Atlantic weather systems. When these storms clear, the combination of fresh snow, dramatic peaks, and Alpine villages creates photography opportunities unmatched anywhere else in Europe.

What makes the Alps special for winter photography:

  • Iconic peaks - The Matterhorn, Eiger, Mont Blanc, and dozens of 4,000m summits
  • Alpine villages - Chalets, churches, and car-free villages dusted in fresh snow
  • Excellent access - Cable cars and mountain railways reach high viewpoints even in winter
  • Consistent snowfall - Reliable winter storms from November through March

Best fresh snow conditions occur after frontal passages, typically November through March. Our forecast tracks the critical window: recent significant snowfall, currently clear or clearing, and good visibility emerging. The Alps' mountain weather means conditions change rapidly—when the forecast shows clearing after snow, be ready to move quickly. Dawn light on fresh powder is worth the early start.

Best bet right now
Mürren
Mürren, Bern, Switzerland
Medium confidence
Window ends in ~2h

Location status

2 of 10 locations currently active

Zermatt

Inactive

Matterhorn views in fresh powder

Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland

Right now: Not enough recent snow (1.4cm, needs ≥ 2cm in past 12h)

Next opportunity in ~3h

4 opportunities in next 14 days

View forecast

Grindelwald

Inactive

Eiger north face and village charm

Grindelwald, Bern, Switzerland

Right now: Not enough recent snow (1.3cm, needs ≥ 2cm in past 12h)

Next opportunity in ~8h

6 opportunities in next 14 days

View forecast

Lauterbrunnen

Inactive

Valley of 72 waterfalls in snow

Lauterbrunnen, Bern, Switzerland

Right now: Not enough recent snow (1.1cm, needs ≥ 2cm in past 12h)

Next opportunity in ~27h

3 opportunities in next 14 days

View forecast

St. Moritz

Inactive

Engadin luxury and frozen lakes

Saint Moritz, Canton Grisons, Switzerland

Right now: Not enough recent snow (0.8cm, needs ≥ 2cm in past 12h)

View forecast

Chamonix

Inactive

Mont Blanc massif winter grandeur

Chamonix, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Right now: Not enough recent snow (2.0cm, needs ≥ 2cm in past 12h)

Next opportunity in ~0h

7 opportunities in next 14 days

View forecast

Interlaken

Inactive

Gateway between two frozen lakes

Interlaken, Bern, Switzerland

Right now: Not enough recent snow (0.0cm, needs ≥ 2cm in past 12h)

Next opportunity in ~26h

4 opportunities in next 14 days

View forecast

Wengen

Inactive

Car-free village with Jungfrau views

Wengen, Bern, Switzerland

Right now: Not enough recent snow (1.5cm, needs ≥ 2cm in past 12h)

Next opportunity in ~7h

8 opportunities in next 14 days

View forecast

Mürren

Active

Cliffside village with Schilthorn views

Mürren, Bern, Switzerland

Ends in ~2h

9 opportunities in next 14 days

View forecast

Verbier

Inactive

Swiss ski resort with Mont Blanc panorama

Verbier, Valais, Switzerland

Right now: Not enough recent snow (1.5cm, needs ≥ 2cm in past 12h)

Next opportunity in ~31h

5 opportunities in next 14 days

View forecast

Saas-Fee

Active

Pearl of the Alps surrounded by peaks

Saas-Fee, Valais, Switzerland

Ends in ~6h

1 opportunity in next 14 days

View forecast

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in Europe/Zurich
Next opportunity
First Tracks
Mürren
Today · 18:00–22:00 · 4h window
Medium confidence
61%
First Tracks
Saas-Fee
Today · 18:00–02:00
Medium
First Tracks
Chamonix
Today · 20:00–22:00
Medium
First Tracks
Mürren
Today · 23:00–24:00
Medium
First Tracks
Zermatt
Today · 23:00–24:00
Medium
First Tracks
Zermatt
Tomorrow · 01:00–07:00
Medium
+41 more windows in the next 14 days

What's blocking opportunities

72-hour view of conditions preventing matches across 10 locations

Top 3 blocking conditions across 10 of 10 locations
Some blocked
Most blocked
9 Fri
10 Sat
11 Sun
12 Mon
24
06
12
18
24
06
12
18
24
06
12
18
Accumulated Snowfall (12h) (≥ 2cm in 12h)
68% blocked
Visibility (≥ 3000.0m)
17% blocked
Snowfall (≤ 1.0cm)
2% blocked
How to read: Each row shows when a condition blocks opportunities. Stronger red means more locations are affected. These are the top 3 conditions preventing matches across the 72-hour forecast.

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