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How we measure snow depth in Åre

For skiers, snow depth is more than just a number – it tells you about the potential for fresh powder, piste quality, and how the mountain is doing today. In Åre, we use a combination of digital terrain mapping and GPS‑based systems in our grooming machines to provide the most accurate and up‑to‑date picture of the snow conditions.

How we measure snow depth across Åre’s ski area

To cover the entire mountain, we use several fixed digital measuring points together with data collected from our grooming machines.

Snow depth measurement – Åre town

Piste: Gästrappet (57) – Digital measurement from the grooming machine, average across the run.
Terrain: 250 metres east of the Rödkullelift valley station (Å19) – Digital measurement.

Snow depth measurement – Högzon

Piste: Störtloppet HZ (59) – Digital measurement.

Snow depth measurement – Åre Björnen

Piste: Viksvängen (108) – Digital measurement from the grooming machine, average across the run.
Terrain: 50 metres above the top station of the Lokattlift (B48) – Digital measurement.

Snow depth measurement – Duved/Tegefjäll

Piste: Hamrebacken (2) – Digital measurement from the grooming machine, average across the run.
Terrain: 50 metres southwest of the Tegeliften top station (D9) – Digital measurement.

Snow depth in the terrain – fully digital measurement

Snow depth in natural terrain is measured digitally using contact‑free Starbit sensors placed in untouched snow.
How it works:

  • Contact‑free distance measurement: Laser‑based technology measures the distance to the snow surface – and thus the snow depth.
  • Placed in untouched terrain: This gives a true picture of natural snow without piste preparation.

The result is a stable, precise and continuously updated measurement – all without manual handling.

Snow depth on the pistes – digital precision via GPS

On the pistes, the snow is a mix of natural snow, machine‑made snow and daily grooming. We use digital systems integrated into our grooming machines, such as Snowsat and Alpine Pro, to measure the snow depth.

How piste measurement works:

  • Digital terrain model before winter: The mountain is mapped in 3D during the summer.
  • High‑precision GPS: The grooming machine records its exact elevation during work.
  • Real‑time calculation: GPS elevation is compared with the bare‑ground model to calculate snow depth.
  • Average for each piste: Snow varies naturally along a run, so we calculate an average depth.

This gives a reliable and up‑to‑date picture of the snow conditions on every piste.

With a complete and precise overview throughout the winter, we can offer a current, transparent and highly accurate picture of the snow conditions in Åre – both on and off the pistes.

This helps you plan your skiing more easily and ensures the best possible mountain experience.

Find the current snow depth in Åre on our Weather & Piste page.