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    Switzerland, Europe

    Elm im Sernftal

    40km of piste, 1085m vertical drop, UNESCO Sardona setting. Family skiing in Switzerland's authentic Glarnerland region.

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    Weekly report
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    Switzerland snow report
    Week of 1 Nov

    Dry fortnight ahead for Switzerland

    Season 2026 - 2027
    Opens
    5 Dec 2026
    Closes
    28 Mar 2027
    Days open
    113
    Annual snow
    2.2m
    Snow record
    39cm
    2026-27 so far
    17% of a typical winter223cm
    Explore 10 winters of snowfall→
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Elm im Sernftal operates across 40 kilometres of piste spanning 1020 to 2105 metres elevation, delivering 1085 metres of vertical drop across 16 marked runs. The terrain splits 38% beginner, 50% intermediate and 12% advanced, with no expert-designated runs but the 4-kilometre Steinibach valley descent offering challenge. The resort averages 4.3 metres of annual snowfall, with the sheltered Sernftal valley position minimising wind exposure whilst maximising accumulation.

    Intermediate terrain dominates the upper slopes above treeline between Ämpächli and the 2036-metre Schabell chairlift summit, where sun-drenched south-facing bowls open across alpine plateaus. Three valley runs return to the 1020-metre base, including the scenic black-graded Steinibach and gentler blue and red options from Ämpächli. The resort features a terrain park at 1800 metres on Bischofalp with rails, boxes, kickers and a BigAirBag facility, plus a Globi-themed children's arena with conveyor lifts.

    The car-free ski area sits within the UNESCO-designated Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona, where the Martinsloch rock window pierces the Tschingelhörner peaks at 2600 metres. Three traditional mountain restaurants serve the slopes, with free Wi-Fi at Munggä Hüttä, Älpli and Ämpächli. Vreni Schneider, Switzerland's most successful ski racer with three Olympic golds, was born in Elm and operates the resort's ski school.

    Elm operates independently without major pass affiliations, with the 2025-26 season running 14 December to 28 March. Adult day tickets cost CHF 59-69 depending on season, with children under five skiing free. The resort suits families and intermediates seeking authentic Swiss atmosphere without international crowds, particularly those exploring the geologically significant Glarnerland region.

    1085m
    Vertical
    16
    Runs
    40 km
    Piste
    2.2m
    Annual snow
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    The Terrain

    16 runs across 40 km of piste

    Elm is a quiet, car-free area in the Glarus Alps, with 16 runs over 40 kilometres of piste dropping 1,085 metres from 2,105 metres to a valley base at 1,020 metres. The split leans gentle: 50% intermediate, 38% beginner and 12% advanced, with no expert terrain. A gondola, two six-seat chairs, a double chair and two T-bars cover the mountain, with the six-person gondola climbing to Ämpächli mid-station. This is a mountain for steady cruising and learning rather than high-end steeps. The sheltered Sernftal position keeps wind exposure low.

    The black Steinibach valley run is the standout, a scenic descent of over 900 metres of vertical that gives intermediates a genuine step up, and the long Steinböden-Elm route returns the full 1,085 metres. Above the groomed network, Elm has deep-snow and freeride areas, with the Kärpf game reserve close by, so guidance on conditions and protected zones is sensible. A terrain park sits at Bischofalp, and the area lies within the UNESCO Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona. It works well for families, progressing intermediates and advanced skiers who want a few steeper laps without big-resort queues.

    Terrain split
    16
    runs
    16 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner6 runs · 38%
    Intermediate8 runs · 50%
    Advanced2 runs · 12%
    Expert0 runs · 0%
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    Time it right

    When to visit Elm im Sernftal

    The 2025-26 season operates 14 December to 28 March, typical for Elm's 1020 to 2105-metre elevation range. Operations span approximately 14 weeks, with mid-season representing the most reliable period. The resort opens later than higher-altitude Swiss destinations but maintains coverage through spring.

    Elm averages 4.3 metres of annual snowfall, with the second week of January historically delivering peak accumulation at 53 centimetres per week across 3.4 snowy days. The sheltered Sernftal position captures substantial snowfall whilst valley walls block wind redistribution common on exposed peaks. Snowmaking covers 8 kilometres across key runs, supporting base-area reliability. March typically offers 188 centimetres of summit snow depth against 14 centimetres at base elevation.

    January through March delivers optimal conditions, with north-facing slopes preserving powder quality whilst sun-exposed sectors provide warming spring skiing. The predominantly east-facing terrain catches morning sun then maintains afternoon snow quality, particularly valuable during mild late-season periods. Average summit conditions hold 151 centimetres mid-season depth, placing Elm among eastern Switzerland's better-covered resorts.

    The resort offers illuminated evening tobogganing on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday until 21:30 on the 4-kilometre Elm track, plus a separate 3-kilometre Matt-Weissenberge run operating Fridays and Saturdays. The nearby Engi area's 1-kilometre piste accepts Elm passes and provides evening skiing. No major events were documented beyond standard seasonal programming.

    Season 2026 - 2027
    5 Dec 2026
    Opens
    28 Mar 2027
    Closes
    113
    Days open
    2.2 m
    Annual snow
    The record

    Historical snowfall at Elm im Sernftal

    Daily snow reports at Elm im Sernftal go back to 2017, 10 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.

    100 cm
    Snowiest day
    16 Mar 2021
    39 cm
    This winter · 2026-27
    so far
    223 cm
    Typical winter
    average of complete seasons
    Explore historical snowfall →
    Winter totals
    cm
    Past wintersThis winter
    Getting there

    Getting to Elm im Sernftal, and where to stay

    Elm sits at 977 metres elevation in the Sernftal, an alpine valley within Glarus Süd municipality in eastern Switzerland's Canton Glarus. The Sernf River, a Linth tributary, carved this valley flanked by the Tschingelhörner peaks and Kärpf massif reaching 2794 metres. The village comprises traditional hamlets including Sulzbach, Schwändi and Obmoos, with working farms maintaining authentic mountain culture within the UNESCO Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona.

    Schwanden lies 15 kilometres down-valley as the nearest rail hub, with Glarus town 30 kilometres north at the canton's administrative centre. The Glarnerland region remains less developed than major Swiss tourist corridors, preserving slate-roof architecture and agricultural traditions. The Panix Pass at 2407 metres connects the Sernftal with Graubünden's Rhine valley, though this route closes in winter.

    Access follows the A3 motorway Zürich-Sargans route to Niederurnen exit, then 30 kilometres of steadily inclining cantonal road through Schwanden into the Sernftal. The drive from Zürich requires approximately 90 minutes covering 101 kilometres. Free parking operates at the Elm Sportbahnen base station one kilometre from the village centre.

    Zurich Airport lies 101 kilometres distant, requiring 84 minutes by car. Schwanden railway station, served by S25 trains from Zürich and S6 services from Rapperswil, connects hourly to Elm via Sernftalbus line 541 in 22 minutes. Trains from Zürich Hauptbahnhof reach Schwanden in approximately 90 minutes with connections at Ziegelbrücke. The former Sernftal tramway operated 1905-1969 before bus replacement.

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    Elm im Sernftal Snow Report

    Never miss powder

    Real-time Elm im Sernftal snow reports & forecasts in your pocket.

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    Week of 1 NovSwitzerland weekly snow report→

    Never miss powder

    Real-time Elm im Sernftal snow reports & forecasts in your pocket.

    Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
    Snow Report
    Updated 7 Nov 2026
    2105m
    summit
    +0cm
    new snow · last 24 hours
    Foggy0°C / 3°C · SW 6km/h
    Snowfall
    24 hours
    0cm
    48 hours
    1cm
    7 days
    1cm
    Base depth
    0cm
    Season total
    39cm
    Typical winter 223cm
    See how this winter compares→
    Total lifts6

    Live open status isn’t available right now.

    5 Dec 2026 - 28 Mar 2027

    Hour by Hour

    Next 38 hours· Updated Nov 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
    SunNow3a4a5a6a7a8a9a10a11a12p1p2p3p4p5p6p7p8p9p10p11pMon12a1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a10a11a12p1p2p3p
    Conditions
    Temp°C · feels
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    30
    30
    30
    41
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    51
    Snowfallcm
    0
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    Precip chance%
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    3%
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    8%
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    15%
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    30%
    33%
    40%
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    43%
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    37%
    33%
    30%
    27%
    25%
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    29%
    35%
    Precipmm0000000000000000000000000000.10.100000.30.00.000
    Wind / gustkm/h
    4G9
    2G6
    1G2
    2G2
    3G3
    3G3
    3G4
    1G4
    3G7
    3G9
    4G9
    4G10
    6G13
    5G12
    3G10
    2G6
    4G6
    5G8
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    5G10
    6G12
    6G11
    5G11
    4G10
    2G8
    4G7
    5G5
    2G9
    6G10
    4G10
    6G11
    5G12
    8G14
    7G25
    12G36
    12G47
    11G55
    11G59

    Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo

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    7-Day Outlook

    1,888 mUpdated Nov 7, 2026 at 5:02 PMOpen-Meteo

    Days 1–7

    1.9cm

    Days 8–14

    18cm

    Unlock days 8–14

    Free account required

    Sun, Nov 8

    Partly Cloudy
    Temp3° / 0°°C
    Snow0.0cm(10%)
    Wind6 km/h SW

    Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.

    Understanding the Elm im Sernftal snow report

    Planning a day at Elm im Sernftal? Our snow report combines official mountain data with live weather so you know exactly what conditions look like right now, from the 1020m base to the 2105m summit.

    Snow measurements

    Our snow reports measure snowfall in centimeters over multiple time windows — last 24 hours, last 7 days, and the season total. Base depth reflects accumulation at the 1020m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 1085m higher at 2105m, where snow typically stays colder and lingers longer. Imperial conversions are shown alongside for convenience.

    Weather conditions

    Wind and temperature swings matter as much as fresh snowfall. Cold, calm conditions hold snow quality well, while wind-loading or a warm-up can change things quickly — especially given the elevation spread between Elm im Sernftal's base and summit.

    Data sources

    Snowfall and depth figures for Elm im Sernftal come from official mountain sources; weather and outlook data comes from independent forecasting services. The mountain is served by 6 lifts, including 2 6-person chairlifts and a gondola.

    When to check

    Snow reports are typically updated early morning and late afternoon. For the most current conditions, check back regularly, especially if a winter storm is approaching.

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