Zinal ski resort
Zinal is a ski resort in the canton of Valais, in the municipality of Anniviers. The village sits at 1675 m and the ski area (Grimentz-Zinal) tops out at 2900 m (Corne de Sorebois), a vertical drop of 1225 m. The forecast at the top of the page is computed for the village altitude; the “Summit weather” section gives temperature, snow, wind and freezing level at 2900 m.
Snow and season in Zinal
Between 1500 and 2000 m, winters are long and snowy and summers short and cool; the snow line often drops below the village in winter.
To judge conditions, compare the snow line (≈ 300 m below the freezing level) with the village (1675 m) and the slopes (2900 m); above 50–60 km/h of summit wind, exposed lifts may close; a warm front lifts the freezing level within hours, a cold front brings snow down to the valley.
Climate of Zinal: 1991–2020 normals
In Zinal (1675 m), the mean annual temperature is 5.1 °C. The warmest month is July (13.5 °C on average) and the coldest January (−2.5 °C). About 678 mm of precipitation falls per year, peaking in May (78 mm) with a minimum in February (34 mm). The sun shines for about 1774 hours a year, mostly in July (202 h). On average there are 165 frost days per year. The mean monthly maximum reaches 24.9 °C and the absolute minimum −13.5 °C.
Mean monthly precipitation (mm) — bar height relative to the wettest month.
| Month | Mean T | Abs. max | Abs. min | Precip. (mm) | Sunshine (h) | Frost days | Summer days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | −2.5 °C | 8.1 °C | −13.2 °C | 45 | 104 | 29 | 0 |
| Feb | −2.4 °C | 9.1 °C | −13.5 °C | 34 | 116 | 26 | 0 |
| Mar | 0.5 °C | 12.2 °C | −11.0 °C | 37 | 157 | 26 | 0 |
| Apr | 3.7 °C | 15.4 °C | −7.1 °C | 44 | 158 | 17 | 0 |
| May | 7.7 °C | 19.7 °C | −2.5 °C | 78 | 170 | 6 | 0 |
| Jun | 11.4 °C | 23.7 °C | 1.2 °C | 74 | 185 | 1 | 1 |
| Jul | 13.5 °C | 24.9 °C | 3.8 °C | 73 | 202 | 0 | 2 |
| Aug | 13.3 °C | 24.7 °C | 3.0 °C | 76 | 188 | 0 | 2 |
| Sep | 9.7 °C | 20.9 °C | 0.2 °C | 52 | 165 | 2 | 0 |
| Oct | 6.2 °C | 17.8 °C | −4.0 °C | 55 | 140 | 9 | 0 |
| Nov | 1.3 °C | 13.5 °C | −9.4 °C | 59 | 98 | 21 | 0 |
| Dec | −1.5 °C | 9.1 °C | −12.1 °C | 51 | 91 | 28 | 0 |
| Year | 5.1 °C | 24.9 °C | −13.5 °C | 678 | 1774 | 165 | 5 |
Source: MeteoSwiss open data (1991–2020 normals) — stations Evolène / Villa (11 km, 1825 m), Zermatt (12 km, 1638 m), Gornergrat (17 km, 3129 m), adjusted to the elevation of Zinal (1675 m) using a 0.55 °C/100 m lapse rate. Indicative, rounded values.
Nearby ski resorts
- Weather Grimentz (8 km · 1570–2900 m)
- Weather Saint-Luc (13 km · 1650–3025 m)
- Weather Evolène (13 km · 1370–2680 m)
- Weather Arolla (17 km · 2000–3000 m)
- Weather Zermatt (18 km · 1608–3883 m)
- Weather Chandolin (18 km · 1936–3025 m)
Nearby municipalities
- Weather Oberems
- Weather Randa
- Weather Evolène
- Weather St. Niklaus
- Weather Täsch
- Weather Ergisch
- Weather Saint-Martin (VS)
- Weather Zermatt
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Zinal
How high is Zinal?
The village of Zinal is at 1675 m and the ski area rises to 2900 m (Corne de Sorebois), a vertical drop of 1225 m.
What is the temperature difference between the village and the summit in Zinal?
Expect about 7 °C less at the summit (2900 m) than in the village (1675 m), using the mean lapse rate of 0.6 °C per 100 m. The “Summit weather” section shows the forecast computed at 2900 m.
When does it snow in Zinal?
In the village (1675 m) the mean temperature stays below 2 °C from November to March (1991–2020 normals), when precipitation mostly falls as snow. Higher up, snow can fall in any season.
Where can I see the weather on the slopes of Zinal?
The “Summit weather” section on this page gives, for Corne de Sorebois (2900 m), min/max temperature, 7-day snowfall, wind and gusts, plus the freezing level and the estimated snow line.
What is the warmest month in Zinal?
The warmest month in Zinal is July, averaging 13.5 °C (1991–2020 normal). The coldest is January at −2.5 °C.
How much does it rain in Zinal per year?
Zinal receives about 678 mm of precipitation a year. The wettest month is May (78 mm), the driest February (34 mm).
When is the best time to visit Zinal?
For warmth and sunshine: July (13.5 °C on average, 202 h of sun). The coldest month is January (−2.5 °C). Check the 15-day forecast above for your dates.