The Milky Way Snow Report and Forecast
Snow Forecast for The Milky Way
When will there be fresh snow?
This is the Snow Forecast for The Milky Way, France for 15 days from 16 April.
Updated 15 April 2025 11:37 PDT.
| Next Snow Expected | 16 April |
|---|---|
| Next Snow Amount | 2in |
| Next 48 Hours | 11in |
| Next 7 Days | 14in |
| Free Snow Reports by e-Mail | Sign Up for Powder Alerts |
For Forecast detail, see below.
For current snow depths and skiing conditions, see our Current Snow Report for The Milky Way.
Forecast for today in The Milky Way
Max 48°F
Min 39°F
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 39°F to daytime highs around 48°F
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Wed
16
up to 3in New Snow
Cloudy early, then light rain later.
Snow Line from 7,641ft to 5,705ft, with rain below.
Powder Alert!
Updated 15 April 2025 19:40 PDT
Powder Possible :- 9in of Fresh Snow is forecast for The Milky Way over the next 2 days.
To get Powder Alerts and Snow Storm Early Warnings by e-mail, Subscribe to our Snow Mail.
Serre Chevalier (4 miles from The Milky Way) is reporting "Hard".
The Milky Way Snow Report
Snow report from Serre Chevalier (4 miles from The Milky Way)
| Upper Snow Depths | 43in |
|---|---|
| Lower Snow Depths | 14in |
| Snow Conditions | Hard |
| Last Snow | |
| 4in of Snow - 15 April | |
| Avalanche Risk Level | |
| The Avalanche Risk Level in Serre Chevalier was reported as 3 (Considerable) but snow changes rapidly, so ALWAYS take local advice before leaving marked runs. | |
The Milky Way 7-Day Snow Forecast Overview
Get this snow forecast by e-mail Join J2Ski's Snow Mail Here
NEW FOR 24/25 - Improved Forecasts for The Milky Way - high-resolution weather models, updated more often - Subscribe
| Wed 16 | Thu 17 | Fri 18 | Sat 19 | Sun 20 | Mon 21 | Tue 22 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind | SE F2 | SE F2 | SE F3 | ||||
| 9,318ft | 30°F
 +3in
| 28°F
 +8in
| 38°F
 | 32°F
+1in
| 34°F
 +1in
| 35°F
 | 31°F
+1in
|
| SE F2 | |||||||
| 6,873ft | 39°F
+2in
| 35°F
+7in
| 47°F
 | 40°F
| 43°F
+1in
| 41°F
| 37°F
+1in
|
| 4,429ft | 48°F
| 46°F
| 55°F
| 45°F
| 52°F
| 54°F
| 52°F
|
| Snow Line | varying 7,641ft | varying 7,182ft | varying 7,215ft | varying 6,985ft | 5,902ft | varying 7,018ft | |
| Max Town | 48°F | 46°F | 55°F | 45°F | 52°F | 54°F | 52°F |
| Min Town | 39°F | 36°F | 33°F | 38°F | 37°F | 37°F | 39°F |
This table shows the average forecast snowfall, the maximum temperature, and expected general weather at resort, lower and upper mountain levels. For daily forecast details, see below.
The Milky Way Medium-Range (7-Day) Snow Forecast Detail
Note :- Mountain weather is extremely dynamic; the forecast below will change. Any forecast snow may move forward or back in the forecast, and predicted snowfall depths will be revised in subsequent updates.
Max 48°F
Min 39°F
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 39°F to daytime highs around 48°F
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Wed
16
up to 3in New Snow
Cloudy early, then light rain later.
Snow Line from 7,641ft to 5,705ft, with rain below.
Max 46°F
Min 36°F
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 36°F to daytime highs around 46°F
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) from mid-mountain up.
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Thu
17
up to 8in New Snow
Snow at altitude, light rain, cloudy later.
Snow Line from 7,182ft to 5,377ft, with rain below.
Max 55°F
Min 33°F
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 33°F to daytime highs around 55°F
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) from mid-mountain up.
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Fri
18
Snow unlikely
Cloudy, fair, clear spells later.
Max 45°F
Min 38°F
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 38°F to daytime highs around 45°F
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Sat
19
up to 1in New Snow
Clear spells early, then light rain later.
Snow Line from 7,215ft to 6,624ft, with rain below.
Max 52°F
Min 37°F
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 37°F to daytime highs around 52°F
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) conditions up high.
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Sun
20
up to 1in New Snow
Light rain early, then clear spells later.
Snow Line from 6,985ft to 5,935ft, with rain below.
Max 54°F
Min 37°F
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 37°F to daytime highs around 54°F
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) from mid-mountain up.
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Mon
21
New Snow
Cloudy, clear spells, cloudy later.
Snow falling to 5,902ft, with rain below.
Max 52°F
Min 39°F
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 39°F to daytime highs around 52°F
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Tue
22
up to 1in New Snow
Cloudy first, rain showers then light rain, clear spells later.
Snow Line from 7,018ft to 6,755ft, with rain below.
This Snow Forecast for The Milky Way, France gives the predicted Snowfall and Freezing Levels for the next week.
The forecast snowfall depths given are the likely average accumulations for the Lower and Upper slopes. The actual snow depth in The Milky Way, on any given trail or itinerary, may be dramatically different, particularly if the snowfall is accompanied by high winds and/or varying air temperatures.
Snow Forecasts beyond two days ahead are subject to significant change and variable reliability.
The Milky Way Snow Forecast updated at 11:37 PDT, next update expected imminently.
Snow Forecast near The Milky Way
| Snow Report and Forecast | 48 Hr | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | 7 Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Val Cenis | 29in | 35in | |||||||
| Sansicario | 31in | 35in | |||||||
| Sestrière | 27in | 34in | |||||||
| Sauze d'Oulx | 21in | 29in | |||||||
| Valmeinier | 20in | 26in | |||||||
| Bardonecchia | 19in | 26in | |||||||
| Valloire | 19in | 23in | |||||||
| Montgenèvre | 16in | 19in |
Understanding and predicting Snow Conditions in The Milky Way
Here are our tips for making the most of a trip to The Milky Way, with the help of the J2Ski Snow forecasts and reports. You can find some great skiing in The Milky Way, but like any mountain, snow conditions change throughout the season, from day to day, and even from hour to hour.
Whether you’re sticking to the marked pistes or venturing off-piste, here’s what you need to know:
Pistes (Groomers) or Off-Piste
These can be a world apart, regarding snow conditions, even ignoring the difference between the natural terrain features to be found off-piste and the generally controlled surfaces and slopes of a pisted (groomed) run.
- Piste Conditions can range from fresh powder to firm, icy surfaces, particularly after warm spells or a busy day on the mountain with the passage of many skiers.
- Off-Piste Conditions are far more variable. Wind and sun can quickly transform fresh snow into wind crust or slushy layers, whilst cold weather can preserve stashes of powder many days after a snowfall.
WARNING - skiing off-piste (out-of-bounds) at The Milky Way is uncontrolled and un-marked slopes are not made safe (from avalanche risk) or patrolled. Always check local advice, know the Avalanche Risk Level, ski with safety kit (and know how to use it), and never ski alone.
Analyzing Weather and Snowfall Forecasts
Whilst no forecast can tell you exactly how snow conditions in The Milky Way will develop, checking the forecast regularly should give you an idea of what to expect.
New snowfall can bring fresh powder and refresh the surfaces of pisted runs. Powder can be tracked out quickly at busy times, but in less crowded and shaded areas, fresh snow can linger for days.
Changes in weather conditions, such as milder temperatures, rain or wind, can degrade snow quality. Conversely, cold, stable weather can preserve conditions for extended periods.
Predicting Future Snow Quality
Regularly check our snow and weather forecasts for The Milky Way for changes that may affect snow quality. Forecast snowfall depth and recent snowfall are good indicators of what to expect.
Use historical data and recent snow reports to understand past snow conditions and anticipate future changes.