Panoramic view of snow-covered mountain terrain in Sierra Nevada

Snow conditions in Sierra NevadaBefore you go up, check this.

The report and the webcams tell you how the mountain is. This page tells you what that means for you, at the level you actually ski.

The official sourcesWhere to look, and what to look at.

The report is published by the resort and is the only reliable source, so we send you to theirs instead of copying it here and letting it go stale. What we add is what to focus on when you open it.

Snow reportThe resort's official data: snow depths, and which slopes and lifts are open.What to look at: Look less at the total depth and more at how many runs are open at your level. A metre of snow is no use if everything open is a red.Live webcamsReal-time images of slopes and lifts across the resort.What to look at: Visibility, before snow quality. If the camera is in fog, you won't see the terrain either — and you can't learn what you can't see coming.Beginner slopesThe areas the resort itself recommends if it's your first time.What to look at: The resort sends first-timers to the Borreguiles area, which is exactly where our meeting point is.Piste mapThe full resort map, downloadable as a PDF.What to look at: Download it to your phone before you go up. There are areas up there with no signal, and a paper map gets wet.

All four links go to the official Sierra Nevada website and open in a new tab.

How to read the snowThe same snow isn't equally good for everyone.

A powder day is the best possible news if you already ski well, and a bad idea if it's your first day. Here's what you'll find and what it means depending on where you are.

Groomed snow

The norm first thing in the morning, once the machines have worked the piste overnight.

If you're starting out: It's the best surface there is for learning. It's predictable: the ski does the same thing on every turn, and that's exactly what you need while you're building the movement.
If you already ski well: Perfect for working on technique and carving, because the edge grips the same the whole way down.

Powder

After it snows, especially if it's been cold with little wind.

If you're starting out: It sounds like the perfect day and for you it isn't. The ski sinks, turning takes more effort, and you end up fighting the snow instead of learning. If it's your first day, a groomed run is better.
If you already ski well: The day everyone waits for. It asks for a more centred and slightly back stance than usual, and it's where freeride makes sense.

Hard or icy snow

First thing after a frosty night, or on shaded slopes the sun doesn't reach.

If you're starting out: It's the worst scenario to start on: it doesn't forgive, stopping is harder and falls hurt more. If you get it, we work on gentle terrain and with patience.
If you already ski well: It demands edges in good condition and clean technique. It's where you really see who sets an edge and who skids.

Spring snow

From March onwards, when the snow freezes overnight and softens in the sun.

If you're starting out: There's an excellent window around midday, once it has softened but before it turns heavy. It's forgiving and lets errors slide.
If you already ski well: Late in the day it turns heavy and grabby. Worth easing off, or stopping before the snow starts dictating.

What actually ruins a dayIt isn't the depth. It's seeing, and getting up there.

When someone asks whether it's a good day, they almost always look at the centimetres of snow. But a day is ruined by two other things long before depth comes into it.

Visibility.In fog you can't make out the relief, and without relief you can't anticipate the terrain. For someone learning that isn't just uncomfortable, it's useless: you can't correct a movement you don't see coming. Before going up, open a webcam and check whether the piste is visible, not whether there's snow.

Wind.It's what closes the lifts, and with the lifts shut it makes no difference how the snow is up top. The report shows what's open; check it on the day, not the night before.

If you're unsure about a particular day, message us and we'll look at it together. We're on the mountain most days of the season.

Frequently asked questions

Do you publish the snow report yourselves?+

No. The official report comes from the resort and is the only reliable source, so we link to theirs rather than copying it. What we add is how to read it for your level.

Does it need to have snowed for a lesson to be worth it?+

No. You learn perfectly well on a groomed piste — in fact it's the best surface for the first few days. What does affect a lesson is visibility and wind, not snow depth.

What if the weather is bad on the day of my lesson?+

Message us and we'll look at that day's report together. If conditions don't allow a lesson that's actually worth having, it's better to move it than to spend it.

It's my first time. Is a powder day a good sign?+

It usually surprises people, but for a first day, no. In powder the ski sinks and turning is harder, so you end up fighting the snow. A well-groomed piste is much better.

You might also be looking for

Slopes by levelWhat each colour demands, and when you're ready for the next one.Ski lessonsIf the report looks good, make the most of it with a lesson.

Book your lesson in Sierra Nevada

Tell us your level and your dates, and we'll put together the lesson that fits you.

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or call us at +34 687 47 58 28