Hautes-Alpes, France
Bluebird days
3.4a winter
More than 82% of resorts
A clear day with no new snow, right after 10 cm4 in or more fell in the two days before.
Most likely 30 Nov – 6 Dec
Weather this week
liveBest weeks at Orcières Merlette
SnowOdds score at the summit, out of 100
Only on SnowOdds
Beyond the odds
Our own measures, from every day of the last 20 winters at the summit.
Wind holds
13a winter
Calmer than 42% of resorts
Days with gusts of 70 km/h43 mph or more at the summit: enough to stop most chairlifts.
Dry powder
65%of the snow
Drier than 82% of resorts
Snow that fell on days that stayed below -5°C23°F at the summit: light and dry. The rest is heavier.
Icy mornings
20a winter
Less icy than 44% of resorts
Mornings after a day above 0°C32°F and a night at -3°C27°F or colder, with no new snow: hard, icy pistes until the sun softens them.
Least icy 11–17 Jan
Every winter since 1950/51
See all 76 winters, day by dayOrcières Merlette
Village
1,826 m5,991 ft
Summit
2,731 m8,960 ft
Vertical drop
905 m2,969 ft
Pistes
49 km30 mi
Lifts
26
Compare with nearby resorts
Snow at Orcières Merlette, answered
When is the best time to ski Orcières Merlette?
Historically the best week for fresh snow at Orcières Merlette is 4–10 Jan: in 13 of the last 20 winters at least 10 cm of new snow fell at the summit that week (65% odds), 17 cm on average. The next best weeks are 30 Nov – 6 Dec and 1–7 Feb.
Which month has the most reliable snow at Orcières Merlette?
December, with an average 52% chance of 10 cm or more of fresh snow in any given week at the summit. April is the least reliable month of the season at 34%.
How high is Orcières Merlette?
The village sits at 1,826 m (5,991 ft) and the top lift reaches 2,731 m (8,960 ft), a vertical drop of 905 m (2,969 ft). The resort has about 49 km of pistes and 26 lifts.
Does it snow in the village at Orcières Merlette?
In the best week (4–10 Jan) the village gets 10 cm or more of fresh snow in 65% of winters, against 65% at the summit. The average village temperature that week is -5°C (22°F).
Every week of the season, in numbers
| Week | Summit odds | Summit snow | Village odds | Village snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2–8 Nov | 50% | 13 cm | 25% | 6 cm |
| 9–15 Nov | 35% | 9 cm | 10% | 3 cm |
| 16–22 Nov | 55% | 16 cm | 35% | 9 cm |
| 23–29 Nov | 50% | 16 cm | 35% | 12 cm |
| 30 Nov – 6 Dec | 70% | 21 cm | 55% | 18 cm |
| 7–13 Dec | 55% | 18 cm | 50% | 15 cm |
| 14–20 Dec | 42% | 13 cm | 37% | 11 cm |
| 21–27 Dec | 42% | 13 cm | 37% | 12 cm |
| 4–10 Jan | 65% | 17 cm | 65% | 16 cm |
| 11–17 Jan | 45% | 12 cm | 45% | 11 cm |
| 18–24 Jan | 40% | 14 cm | 40% | 13 cm |
| 25–31 Jan | 35% | 10 cm | 35% | 10 cm |
| 1–7 Feb | 60% | 16 cm | 60% | 15 cm |
| 8–14 Feb | 50% | 14 cm | 50% | 13 cm |
| 15–21 Feb | 50% | 12 cm | 45% | 11 cm |
| 22–28 Feb | 35% | 9 cm | 35% | 8 cm |
| 1–7 Mar | 40% | 14 cm | 40% | 13 cm |
| 8–14 Mar | 55% | 15 cm | 40% | 12 cm |
| 15–21 Mar | 40% | 11 cm | 35% | 9 cm |
| 22–28 Mar | 35% | 9 cm | 20% | 7 cm |
| 29 Mar – 4 Apr | 30% | 11 cm | 25% | 8 cm |
| 5–11 Apr | 35% | 8 cm | 5% | 3 cm |
| 12–18 Apr | 40% | 8 cm | 25% | 4 cm |
| 19–25 Apr | 30% | 8 cm | 10% | 3 cm |
| 26 Apr – 2 May | 35% | 9 cm | 10% | 2 cm |