18/ 18
FRESH SNOW
Expected snowfall at useful ski elevations, weighted by forecast confidence and how close the storm is.
THE POWDER WINDOW SCORE · /100NOT ALL SNOW
NOT ALL SNOW
IS CREATED
EQUAL.
OUR PRINCIPLE
“Snow comes first. Everything else decides whether it's worth chasing.”
SNOW SCORE50/ 50
HALF OF EVERY SCORESNOW IS NEVER
SNOW IS NEVER
A FOOTNOTE.
The Snow Score is always shown beside the overall Powder Window Score. It is never folded away or hidden. A window cannot earn a great rating without great snow and conditions.
SNOW SCORE BREAKDOWNTHE 50 POINTS
THE 50 POINTS
THAT MATTER MOST.
12/ 12
SNOW QUALITY
Likely density and feel, based on temperature, freezing level, wind and what the new snow is landing on.
8/ 8
BASE & COVERAGE
The depth and stability of the existing base, plus how much of the mountain is realistically skiable.
6/ 6
WIND IMPACT
The risk of scouring, loading and lift disruption. Lower wind impact means a higher score.
6/ 6
POWDER TIMING
How the storm lines up with your ski days, lift opening and the chance of reaching fresh snow before it is tracked.
POWDER WINDOW SCORETHE FULL
THE FULL
100 POINTS.
Snow leads the score. The remaining 50 points tell you whether the opportunity is genuinely worth chasing.
50/ 50
SNOW & CONDITIONS
The heart of every Powder Window. We score the new snow, its likely quality, the existing base, wind impact and exactly when the powder should be at its best.
15/ 15
SKI QUALITY
How well the mountain suits the expected conditions: terrain, altitude, aspect, lift access and the realistic quality of the skiing available.
10/ 10
TRAVEL
Whether the journey works in practice, including flight options, transfer time, arrival timing and the amount of notice required.
10/ 10
VALUE
The estimated cost of flights, accommodation, transfers and lift access compared with the quality of the opportunity.
5/ 5
WEATHER
Visibility, temperature and the weather after the storm. Blue skies are welcome, but they never compensate for weak snow.
5/ 5
CROWDS
Likely demand, weekends, holidays and how quickly the best terrain may become tracked. Quieter windows score higher.
5/ 5
YOUR MATCH
How closely the window matches your airport, ability, budget, trip length, notice period, priorities and transfer tolerance.
EXAMPLE POWDER WINDOWSWITZERLAND
ENGELBERG
A high-confidence storm, cold snow and excellent timing create an exceptional window—with a practical journey and a strong match for the example skier.
POWDER WINDOW · EXAMPLEENGELBERG
POWDER WINDOW SCORE93/100
SNOW SCORE47/50
EXCEPTIONAL WINDOW
WHY 93?+
SNOW 47 / 50
- Fresh Snow 17 / 18
- Snow Quality 12 / 12
- Base & Coverage 7 / 8
- Wind Impact 5 / 6
- Powder Timing 6 / 6
- Ski Quality14 / 15
- Travel9 / 10
- Value9 / 10
- Weather5 / 5
- Crowds4 / 5
- Your Match5 / 5
Illustrative example only. Live scores change as forecasts, prices and operating conditions change.
A SCORE IS GUIDANCE.
NOT A SNOW GUARANTEE.
Mountain weather, transport prices, lift operations and avalanche conditions can change after an alert is issued. Always check current resort information, travel details and official safety guidance before travelling or skiing.