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Powder Edition

When is the best time to ski in Chatel?

February. Over the last 20 winters (2006/07 to 2025/26), the top (2,254 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on nine days in ten or more from December to April. The village (1,183 m) is less certain: February was its best month, with 30 cm or more on 57% of days. For quieter slopes, go between 4 January and 5 February, or between 8 and 25 March, outside the UK and French school holidays.

Châtel's village (1,183 m) is low; the lifts above (2,254 m) had good cover on every day from January to April in our data.

Most reliable snow
February
Quieter weeks
4 Jan – 5 Feb, 8 – 25 Mar
Busiest
19 Dec – 3 Jan, 6 Feb – 7 Mar
Season
Mid-December to mid-April

Month by month · snow history

How reliable is the snow in Chatel?

Over the last 20 winters (2006/07 to 2025/26), the top (2,254 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on at least nine days in ten from December to April. Lower down, the village (1,183 m) is patchier: its best month is February, with 30 cm or more on 57% of days, typically 34 cm. These are natural depths on open ground; groomed pistes and snowmaking hold more.

Typical natural snow depth by month, and the share of days with 30 cm or more, over the last 20 winters (2006/07 to 2025/26)
HeightDecJanFebMarApr
Top2,254 m8997%127100%181100%195100%188100%
VillageChatel · 1,183 m1324%2039%3457%2236%07%

Typical natural snow depth in each month, in centimetres; the percentage is the share of days with 30 cm or more, and the deeper the blue, the more reliable. Source: Météo-France's snowpack model (SAFRAN-Crocus), open data, Licence Ouverte, over the last 20 winters (2006/07 to 2025/26).

The busy weeks · winter 2026/27

When the holidays fall

  • Christmas and New Year19 Dec – 3 Jan
  • Quieter4 Jan – 5 Feb
  • French holidays, zone C6 – 21 Feb
  • UK half-term13 – 21 Feb
  • French holidays, zone A13 – 28 Feb
  • French holidays, zone B20 Feb – 7 Mar
  • Quieter8 – 25 Mar
  • Easter weekend26 – 29 Mar

UK half-term: Most English councils; some areas break a week earlier, so check your school.

Easter weekend: UK Easter holidays fall around it, varying by school; the French spring holidays come later, from 3 April to 2 May across the zones.

Sources: official French school calendar 2026/27 · English council term dates (e.g. Wolverhampton) · UK bank holidays. The French dates are set by the order of 22 October 2025.

Which weeks suit you

The right week depends on who's coming

  • Quieter slopes

    100% of January days had good cover high up, and the slopes are quieter between the holidays.

    4 Jan – 5 Feb

  • Families

    UK half-term: 100% of February days had good cover high up, but it is the busiest and priciest week. Book early, or look at Easter.

    13 – 21 Feb

  • Best value

    100% of March days had good cover high up, and prices drop back once the holidays end.

    8 – 25 Mar

  • A celebration

    The most festive weeks: the top (2,254 m) had good cover on 97% of December days. They book first and cost the most.

    19 Dec – 3 Jan

Free in the quieter weeks, winter 2026/27

1 Chatel chalet has a free week outside the holidays

Pick a week to see what's free, with the price for that week. Availability comes from each chalet's own calendar.

See all 1 free chalets

Common questions

When to ski in Chatel, answered

Is there snow in Chatel at Christmas?
Usually high up: the top (2,254 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 97% of December days over the last 20 winters (2006/07 to 2025/26). The village (1,183 m) had it on 24% of December days.
When is Chatel quietest?
In winter 2026/27, between 4 January and 5 February, and between 8 and 25 March, outside the UK and French school holidays.
Is April too late to ski in Chatel?
Not high up: the top (2,254 m) had good cover on 100% of April days. The village (1,183 m) had it on 7% of April days, so expect little natural snow down at the village by then.
When is the ski season in Chatel?
Mid-December to mid-April.

Where this comes from

  • Snow: Météo-France's snowpack model (SAFRAN-Crocus), daily, over the last 20 winters (2006/07 to 2025/26); open data, Licence Ouverte. Method: Vernay et al., 2022.
  • How a day counts: when the model's natural snow depth at that height is 30 cm or more. The typical depth is the median of each winter's monthly average. The model reads open ground at that height across the area, so a sunny or sheltered spot can differ; the resorts' own snow stations at the same heights tend to record a little more in December and April, so treat early and late figures as cautious. Groomed pistes and snowmaking hold more than open ground.
  • Holidays, winter 2026/27: official French school calendar 2026/27 · English council term dates (e.g. Wolverhampton) · UK bank holidays. Schools set their own dates, so check yours.
  • Season: Mid-December to mid-April, from the resort facts (chatel.com, checked 4 Oct 2026).
  • Snow history rebuilt · Holidays for winter 2026/27