Early seedling establishment of Picea abies (L.) Karst. in small forest gaps was studied in drier, subalpine P. abies ecosystems in the Swiss Alps. Study sites were on steep south and north slopes. Average gap size was 15 m x 20 m on the south slope and 15 m x 70 m on the north slope. Sowing trials established on different microsites were observed for 2 or 3 years. Direct sunlight was assessed with hemispherical photography. Emergence was better on the north slope than on the south slope. On the south slope, emergence was higher on the mineral soil than on the organic layer and was negatively associated with direct sunlight, especially during the noon period. On both slopes, drought due to rainfall interception at the gap edge negatively affected emergence. The limiting factor for survival and growth on the south slope was drought (on the organic layer), whereas on the north slope lack of direct radiation and pathogenic fungi developing in the snowpack were limiting. The early regeneration niche on the south slope was narrower than on the north slope.