Frequently Asked Questions

The SnowSure Score is a 0-100 rating that represents overall skiing conditions at a resort. It combines multiple factors including current snow depth, recent snowfall, forecast predictions, temperature, and historical patterns. A higher score means better conditions.

We analyze data from 7 weather models (ECMWF, GFS, GEM, JMA, ICON, Météo-France, Met Norway), combine it with current resort conditions and 30 years of historical data, then use AI to generate a single 0–100 score. The composite weights five signals: recent snowfall (the largest factor), the 14-day forecast, season-to-date snowfall, performance versus 30-year historical norms, and current base depth.

Scores 60+ are Outstanding conditions. 50-59 is Excellent. 40-49 is Good. 30-39 is Solid. 20-29 is Fair. Below 20 indicates Limited coverage - consider other options. Scores can vary significantly by region and time of year.

SnowSure Scores are updated hourly based on the latest weather data and forecasts. Current conditions (temperature, recent snowfall) are refreshed every hour.

We aggregate data from 7 leading global weather models: ECMWF (European Centre), GFS (NOAA/US), GEM (Canadian), JMA (Japan), ICON (German), Météo-France, and Met Norway. Each model has strengths in different regions.

No single weather model is always correct. By showing forecasts from multiple models, you can see where they agree (higher confidence) and where they differ (more uncertainty). Our AI combines them for the best prediction.

Snow forecasts are most reliable within 3-5 days. 7-day forecasts are useful for planning but become less accurate. 14-day forecasts show general trends but should be taken as rough estimates.

Mountain weather varies significantly with altitude. We provide separate forecasts for base elevations (village level) and summit elevations (top of lifts). Summit areas typically receive more snow but experience harsher conditions.

We currently track 500+ ski resorts across North America, Europe, Japan, and the Southern Hemisphere — including year-round glacier destinations like Zermatt/Matterhorn, Saas-Fee, and Hintertux. We're constantly adding more resorts based on user requests.

We use a combination of automated weather stations, resort-reported data, and satellite-based snow measurements. For some resorts, we estimate snow depth based on weather model data when direct measurements aren't available.

Not all resorts have weather stations or report conditions consistently. We do our best to estimate missing data, but accuracy may be lower for resorts without direct measurements.

Yes! Contact us with the resort name and location, and we'll work on adding it. Priority is given to resorts with good data availability.

Yes, SnowSure is completely free to use. We plan to add premium features in the future, but core functionality including scores, forecasts, and resort data will always be free.

No account is required to view forecasts and scores. Creating a free account lets you save favorite resorts and receive powder alerts.

Create a free account, add your favorite resorts, and enable notifications. We'll email you when significant snowfall is forecast.

SnowSure and LuxSki are sister products from Afore. LuxSki focuses on luxury ski hotel bookings, while SnowSure focuses on snow conditions and forecasts. They share weather data but serve different purposes.