Where to Ski in January

Where to Ski in January

Discover the best places to ski in January on a luxury skiing holiday in our comprehensive guide below:

Are you looking for guaranteed fresh snow, peaceful slopes, and relaxed travel on your next skiing trip? Skiing in January is perfect for both serious skiers and those looking for a picturesque luxury ski holiday. 

January offers the best chances for good snow, especially in the luxury ski resorts dotted around the French and Swiss Alps in Europe, and the lower temperatures will ensure snow that is powdery and crisp.

Skiing in January also means you can benefit from calm, small crowds at the airports and less congested highways. By this time, the Christmas and New Year’s rush should be long gone, and skiers can enjoy near-deserted pistes and maximise their lift-pass usage.

Discover Oxford Ski Company’s top choices for the best places to ski in January, including France and Switzerland, to America and Japan.

January Skiing in Europe

Luxury Ski Holidays in France in January

Some may wonder whether skiing in France in January is the best idea. By the time January comes around in France, school is back in session, meaning crowds and queues significantly reduce.

This leaves one of the most snow-sure months in the French Alps completely available and open to skiers with flexible holiday allowances, be it beginners who will benefit from the extra time available on the snow or advanced skiers who may have the first claim to untouched off-piste slopes.

Our top picks for the best place to holiday in January in France are the luxury ski resorts of Chamonix, Avoriaz, and Méribel.

Discover luxury ski resorts in France

Chamonix, France - 1,035 m

Located at the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is known for its long relationship with Alpine sports and as the ultimate tourist attraction.

This ski domain boasts epic terrain, making it a popular skiing destination, especially for advanced skiers who love challenging slopes.

Spending time in Chamonix in January is a must for expert skiers looking for daring slopes, mountain climbing, or hang-gliding. Novice skiers can enjoy the varied terrain, with something for everyone - especially in the powder-fresh January snow.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Staying at the Chalet Alaska or the catered Chalet Rytola for a truly luxurious experience in Chamonix. You’ll be positively spoiled with amenities including hot tubs, home cinemas, and the best views in the Alps.

Average snowfall in January in Chamonix

• Average weekly snowfall: 47 cm
• Average monthly snowfall: 110 cm

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Avoriaz, France - 1800 m

Avoriaz is a popular resort located above the town of Morzine, and January skiers can enjoy the unique winter wonderland of horse-drawn sleigh rides, stunning mountain scenery, and fantastic runs that are at the ideal altitude for midwinter skiing.

Our hand-picked selection of luxury chalets and hotels in Avoriaz promise a skiing holiday with thoughtful accommodations and snow-filled amenities.

Enjoy an expansive ski area with ski runs, cross-country ski trails, and eight amazing loops which pass through snow-frosted pine forests and extraordinary views.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Our favourite run: the Coupe du Monde and the best off-piste: La Chavanette.

Average snowfall in January in Avoriaz

• Average weekly snowfall: 35 cm
• Average monthly snowfall: 126cm

Explore the luxury amenities of all Avoriaz chalets and hotels below, including catering, hot tubs, and spa facilities.

Discover all luxury chalets and hotels in Avoriaz

Méribel, France - 1450m  

Completely snow-sure in January, Méribel is one of the most popular ski resorts in Europe and is located at the heart of the vast Three Valleys.

Although it is a favourite ski destination for those in Europe and beyond, you can expect significantly smaller crowds in January and over 600km of pristine, untouched pistes. Even in the coldest months, you can find south-facing ski areas with bright slopes and warm sunshine. 

The Méribel resort is energetic and lively, with world-famous après-ski and nightlife, from table-top dancing at La Folie Douce to skiing into Le Rond Point after a long day out on the slopes.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Staying in the Chalet Truffe Blanche, which offers  a sprawling chalet that sleeps up to 18 people and features a Roman-era-inspired spa with a 15m pool.

Average snowfall in January in Méribel

• Average weekly snowfall: 27 cm
• Average monthly snowfall: 75cm

Explore luxury Meribel hotels and chalets in January

Skiing in Switzerland in January

Many agree that Swiss mountain villages look their prettiest during the frosty winter months, with snow-dusted, wooden chalets and a picturesque Alpine atmosphere.

However, in January, many of these Swiss resorts come alive with eccentric energy - from horse races on frozen lakes to A-list celebrities and royalty sightings.

With clearer slopes and smaller crowds, we recommend the Saas Fee, Crans-Montana, and St. Moritz resorts for the best skiing in January in Switzerland. These top holiday locations offer novices and intermediate skiers excellent skiing trails and slopes to strengthen their skills as well as attractive challenges for the most demanding skiers.

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Saas Fee, Switzerland - 1,800 m

Saas Fee, often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Alps,’ provides a charming alpine atmosphere that is notably tranquil.

Situated near the Italian border and surrounded by peaks reaching 4,000 metres, this car-free village is ideal for those seeking a unique experience on their luxury ski holiday.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Staying in the catered Chalet Annapurna. Spread over five stunning floors, the chalet features old wood throughout and is full of light with large panoramic windows to take advantage of the spectacular views.

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Average snowfall in January in Saas Fee

• Average snowfall: 38 cm

Crans-Montana, Switzerland - 1,500 m

Perched high on a sun-drenched plateau above Sierre, the linked villages of Crans and Montana offer some of the most spectacular views in Europe. From this vantage point, you can see a stunning panorama that stretches from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc along the Rhône Valley.

The ski area is well-suited for intermediate skiers and is also excellent for beginners, who can take lessons on the town's snow-covered golf course.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: A mountain lunch at Chetzeron or a dinner at the Mosaic after a walk along the golf course. 

Explore luxury chalets for a January holiday in Crans-Montana

Average snowfall in January in Crans-Montana

• Average snowfall: 30 cm

St. Moritz, Switzerland - 1,822 m

This stunningly exclusive resort is known for its Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury boutique shopping, and its overall glitzy and unashamedly opulent atmosphere.

Located at 1,770 metres in the Engadine Valley, St. Moritz boasts a large number of dry and sunny days with high-quality skiing and striking mountain views.

This renowned ‘champagne climate’, paired with the therapeutic springs, makes St. Moritz the perfect location for well-heeled clientele seeking an ultra-luxurious winter ski holiday.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Watching the Snow Polo World Cup’s White Turf horse races on the frozen St Moritzersee lake.

Average snowfall in January in St. Moritz

• Average snowfall: 43 cm

Choose from five-star St Moritz hotels and stunning chalets

Luxury Ski Holidays in America in January

There are plenty of options for ski holidays in America in January. The Christmas and New Year’s crowds will have left by this point, and American holidays such as Spring Break and President's Day are months and weeks away.

Skiing in January in the United States is perfect for serious skiers who are looking for the best powder days with big queues and big crowds out of sight and out of mind.

Aspen, Colorado - 2,438 m

Our top pick for skiing in the United States in January is Aspen, Colorado. Once an old Colorado mining town, it’s now easily considered the United States’ most celebrated ski resort with reliable fresh powder in midwinter months.

Paired with its sister town, Snowmass Village, this ski area covers four of the best ski mountains in the USA - Aspen, Buttermilk, Highlands and Snowmass. Expect traditional American hospitality, indulgent meals for adventurous foodies, and quaint luxury chalets and hotels.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Trying the indulgent, post-ski meals available, such as a rack of elk at Gwyn’s High Alpine on Snowmass or a Wagyu double cheeseburger with a side of truffle fries at The Little Nell’s Ajax Tavern.

Average snowfall in January in Aspen

• Average weekly snowfall: 19 cm
• Average monthly snowfall: 135 cm
  

Discover the best of Aspen’s luxury ski chalets and hotels

Skiing in Japan in January

January is one of the best times to plan a luxury ski holiday in Japan.

Although the slopes won't be as quiet as those in Europe or the United States, January is the start of the ‘ocean-effect’ snow phenomenon, when frosty air blown over the Siberian plains is swept over the Sea of Japan, resulting in a light, fluffy powder being released along the western mountains in dumps that are waist to neck-deep.

Nozawa Onsen, Japan - 1,085 m

We highly recommend Japan’s Nozawa Onsen, a premier destination for enjoying the famous powder with 1,085 metres of vertical downhill skiing and 36 runs (the longest being seven miles long).

Nozawa Onsen is the perfect place for a full cultural experience. Try sleeping on futons laid out on a tatami mat at the Ryokan traditional Inn, seeing the famous bathing snow monkeys, and exploring the town with wood-panelled buildings that have survived since the Edo period (1603-1868).

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Visiting the 13 traditional hot spring baths maintained by the local community to fight off the bitter January frost.

Discover the best luxury ski chalets and hotels in Japan

Average snowfall in January in Nozawa Onsen

• Average weekly snowfall: 58 cm

• Average monthly snowfall: 342 cm