Inghams Ski Reveals Best Resorts for Sunshine
‘Bluebird days’, a phrase commonly used among skiers and snowboarders, are increasingly being sought out by winter travellers well beyond the slopes.
Defined by clear skies, bright sunshine, and strong visibility, these ski days are increasingly sought after by travellers chasing the ultimate late-season experience.
Google searches for ‘bluebird days’ have risen 191%* in the past three months.
In response to the rising demand from skiers, Inghams Ski have analysed over 120 ski resorts, spanning 14 countries worldwide, to identify which offer the most consistent bluebird day conditions in spring.
The researchers assessed meteorological conditions that impact bluebird days, covering average sunshine hours, snowfall, visibility, and elevation to calculate a “Bluebird Day Score” out of 100 for each resort.
Cervinia, in Italy’s Aosta Valley, topped the rankings with an impressive score of 72.21 out of 100.
Cervinia, Italy. Image © PlanetSKI
The 15 ski resorts most likely to deliver reliable “bluebird days” this spring:
|
Rank |
Ski Resort |
Country |
Bluebird Day Score /100 |
|
1 |
Cervinia |
Italy |
72.21 |
|
2 |
St. Moritz |
Switzerland |
69.78 |
|
3 |
Zermatt |
Switzerland |
68.34 |
|
4 |
Mürren |
Switzerland |
64.73 |
|
5 |
Les Arcs |
France |
63.60 |
|
6 |
Sölden |
Austria |
63.54 |
|
7 |
Saas-Fee |
Switzerland |
62.75 |
|
8 |
Mammoth Mountain |
USA |
62.10 |
|
9 |
Lake Louise |
Canada |
60.41 |
|
10 |
Sun Peaks |
Canada |
60.31 |
|
11 |
Tignes |
France |
58.59 |
|
12 |
Alpe d’Huez |
France |
58.26 |
|
13 |
Les Deux Alpes |
France |
58.19 |
|
14 |
Breckenridge |
USA |
58.16 |
|
15 |
Telluride |
USA |
58.13 |
Located in the Aosta Valley, Cervinia is known for its high-altitude slopes and dependable snow conditions, making it an ideal choice for intermediate skiers.
Close behind in second place is St Moritz, Switzerland, with a score of 69.78 out of 100.
Celebrated for a luxury atmosphere, history of hosting the Winter Olympics twice, and extensive pistes, St Moritz is considered the oldest and arguably one of the most recognisable resorts worldwide.
St Moritz, Switzerland. Image © Helen Gillespie/PlanetSKI.
Rounding out the top three is Zermatt, Switzerland, with a Bluebird Days Score of 68.34 out of 100.
Sitting at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is renowned for its scenic skiing, village charm, and a ski area that connects to first-place Cervinia.
Zermatt, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Elsewhere among the top fifteen was Sun Peaks, Canada, ranking tenth overall (60.31 out of 100).
Located in British Columbia, Sun Peaks is renowned for its tree-lined ski runs, powder snow, and relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for families of all abilities.
French and Swiss ski resorts ranked as the most reliable during spring
According to the research, both French and Swiss ski resorts are among the most reliable to visit during spring, with both countries placing four resorts in the top 15 ranking.
In Switzerland, St. Moritz ranked highest (2nd), followed by Zermatt (3rd), Mürren (4th), and Saas-Fee (7th), while in France, Les Arcs came in fifth, followed by Tignes (11th), Alpe d’Huez (12th), and Les Deux Alpes (13th).
Aside from St. Moritz and Zermatt, which placed second and third overall, the next highest ranking Swiss resort is Mürren, in fourth place with a score of 64.72/100.
Perched above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the traditional, car-free village is famed for its views, downhill racing history, and access to the vast Schilthorn ski area.
Murren, Switzerland. Image c/o PlanetSKI/Helen Gillespie
France’s top-performing resort was Les Arcs, ranking fifth overall with a score of 63.60 out of 100.
Beyond individual resort rankings, broader search trends reveal growing demand for both destinations as we head into spring.
Google Insights analysed by Inghams found that searches for ‘France ski resorts’ have risen +84%, while searches for ‘Swiss ski resorts’ increased by +50% in the same period.
Among the Swiss and French resorts featured, St. Moritz is currently generating the strongest online interest, with searches up +83%.
“The term ‘bluebird days’ has been notable among skiers for a while now, but it’s clear that travellers of all experience levels are now seeking them out more than ever,” said the Head of Destinations at Inghams, Laura Mason.
“When planning a ski holiday, it’s important to look beyond just price and consider factors such as mountain elevation, season of travel, and historical sunshine hours.
“Higher-altitude destinations typically retain snow for longer, and are better positioned for clearer skies during spring.
“Of course, the weather can never be predicted with 100% certainty, but doing some research beforehand and choosing the right resort can make all the difference.
“At Inghams, we carefully select resorts with strong snow records right through to the end of the ski season, and back our holidays with our Snow Guarantee to give guests extra peace of mind.”
*Google search insights analysed using Google Keyword Planner, correct as of 12th Feb 2026
Methodology
To identify the ski resorts most likely to deliver reliable bluebird skiing in March and April, Inghams Ski analysed long-term climate averages across five weighted factors:
-
Sunshine (30%) – higher average sunshine hours scored more strongly.
-
Snowfall (20%) – greater total snowfall supported late-season snow reliability.
-
Visibility (20%) – stronger average visibility indicated fewer low-cloud or fog-affected days
-
Elevation (15%) – higher base and skiable elevations scored more strongly, reflecting improved spring snow preservation.
-
Temperature (15%) – resorts scored highest where average March-April temperatures were closest to -3.5°C, the midpoint of the commonly accepted optimal skiing range (-6°C to -1°C).
Each factor was standardised and combined to create a final score out of 100, with resorts ranked from highest to lowest overall.
Meteorological data was sourced from long-term climate averages via SnowForecast, Google Weather, timeanddate.com, and skiresort.info.
Scores are based on March-April averages, meaning individual seasons may vary, and short-term weather patterns may differ from long-term trends.
Data correct as of February 2026.
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