Snow statistics: Where does the most snow fall in Switzerland?

Switzerland’s much-praised snow reliability is reflected above all in the ski resorts that record the highest annual amounts of new snow. The top performer in the 2022/23 winter season was Engelberg-Titlis. From the beginning of October to the end of April, a total of 9.92 meters of fresh snow fell here in the canton of Obwalden. The “Matterhorn ski paradise” ski region, a legendary winter stronghold, follows in second place. In the immediate vicinity of Zermatt, meteorologists recorded a total snow depth of 7.69 m. The region is also home to the “Matterhorn ski paradise” ski resort. Close behind, the neighboring ski region Saastal around the noble ski resort Saas-Fee completes the new snow top 3 with 7.67 m.

Historically, the snowiest region on earth is in Asia. As in Europe, there is a mountain range known as the Alps. The Japanese Alps are located in the west of the main island of Honshu. Due to the geographical location near the sea, an above-average amount of precipitation falls here, which naturally turns into snow in winter. Thus, on the peaks fall on average incredible 30 to 38 m of fresh snow per year!

The Swiss have been very familiar with lots of fresh snow for centuries. But even the locals are surprised by the white splendor time and again. On April 15, 1999, for example, 1.30 meters of fresh snow fell on the Bernina Pass (2,307 m) in the canton of Graubünden within 24 hours. To this day, this is the absolute daily record in Switzerland. The largest snowfall within one year, on the other hand, was already measured in 1974/75 exactly on the border between the cantons of Bern and Valais. The weather station at the mountain hotel “Grimsel Hospiz” (1,980 m) registered here record-breaking 20.73 m of fresh snow in 12 months.