The snow sure resorts that won't let you down

You’ll find Val di Fassa at the heart of the mighty Dolomites ski area. Incredibly, around 90% of the 1200+km of pistes in the area has snowmaking facilities, so as long as it’s cold enough, they can make the white stuff.

The average snowfall for the area is around seven metres per season, so even in an okay year, you’ll get a good amount of snow. Failing that, the Marmolada Glacier is nearby and towers above the local area at a height of 3342m.

France is quite spoilt when it comes to snow sure ski resorts. Many have a glacier, but why go to a resort with just the one? Tignes and Val d’Isère are neighbouring resorts which have a glacier each. They combine ski areas to create the 300km Tignes -Val d'Isère playground and two of the most snow sure resorts in France.

Tignes sits above the treeline at 2100m with a top lift height of 3,456m on the Grande Motte glacier. You’ll find snow on the ground at resort level most of the season, but there’s always going to be good conditions at the top.

Val d’Isère is slightly lower at 1850m but with its own glacier, the Pissaillas at 3,140m, you’ll have no worries about snow here either.

As there are so many to choose from, let’s include another French resort. Les Deux Alpes has one of the highest skiable glaciers in Europe at 3570m, so year round, snow is absolutely guaranteed.

The glacier isn’t just reserved for experts either. There are blue and red runs from the top so even relative beginners can enjoy the incredible panoramic views. Even if the runs are a bit much, simply head back down in the cable car.

There’s a snowpark just below the glacier at 2600m too. Boarders and freestyle skiers can test themselves on the different lines depending on their skill level.

As many resorts in Austria are quite low, people often don’t think Austria is that snow sure. Think again as there’s a good selection of high altitude, snow sure resorts Austria can boast about.

The eternally picturesque lakeside resort of Zell am See and its much smaller neighbour Kaprun make up the Europa Sport Region with 138km of gloriously pisted runs. The jewel of the area is the Kitzsteinhorn glacier which dominates the mountain ridgeline at a dizzying 3030m.

The glacier has 17 lifts, 22 pistes, excellent and challenging freeride routes, a snowpark and even an impressive viewing platform which gives you some truly vast views of the surrounding mountains. This is more than just a place for perfect snow conditions.

Being 2100m up in the Pyrénées makes Pas de la Casa one of the highest resorts in Europe. That height combined with an incredibly sophisticated snow making system covering 60% of runs (it can produce artificial snow at temperatures up to +4°C) means you’ll always be able to explore this vast 210km ski area.

The highest point of the Grandvalira ski area is at 2560m, so while it may not leave you breathless like some top lift heights, you’re still high enough for excellent quality snow and snow sure pistes.