Ski Season 2026/27: When Do the Big Alpine Resorts Open?

The 2026/27 Alpine ski season does not start on one day. It starts in stages. The glaciers have been running since late September and early October, the first big resorts plan to open in early November, and most of the famous names aim for the last week of November. The main Austrian and Swiss resorts follow in the first days of December, and the French Three Valleys around 5 December. This guide gives you the planned opening dates for the major Alpine resorts, explains why those dates move, and shows you how to book a trip without getting caught out.

One caveat before the dates: every opening date below is a planned date. We compared the lists published by Powderguide, Maison Sport and Snowtrex in late October 2026 and only included dates where the sources agree or where we say otherwise. Resorts change dates when the snow does not arrive, so always check the official resort website in the week before you travel.

Planned opening dates at a glance

• Already open or opening early: glacier areas such as Hintertux, Stubai, Kitzsteinhorn and the Sölden glacier (late September to mid October).
• 1 November: Zermatt (partial opening at the start).
• 6 November: Kitzbühel (partial opening at the start).
• 7 November: Arosa Lenzerheide (listed as planned).
• 12 November: Sölden resort.
• About 18 to 19 November: Obergurgl and Hochgurgl (the sources differ by one day).
• 21 November: Val Thorens.
• 26 November: Ischgl.
• 28 November: Val d'Isère, Les 2 Alpes, Laax, Livigno, Chamonix (partial opening) and the Zugspitze.
• 2 December: St. Anton, Lech and the rest of Ski Arlberg.
• 4 December: Mayrhofen and Bormio.
• 5 December: SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental and the Three Valleys (Courchevel and Méribel list 4 to 5 December).

How opening dates actually work

A planned opening date is the resort's target, not a promise. Most large resorts publish it months ahead because tour operators, hotels and lift staff need something to plan around. Whether the lifts really turn on that day depends on three things: natural snowfall, temperatures cold enough for snowmaking, and the condition of the base layer on the first pistes.

Two other terms are worth knowing. A partial opening means only part of the ski area runs, often a single high sector or one connecting piste. Zermatt, Kitzbühel and Chamonix are listed this way for their first dates, so a resort being open does not mean the whole mountain is open. And a glacier opening means the high, permanent snow fields run first, while the village area stays closed until later. If you want the full list of glacier options, read our guide to early season skiing on glaciers.

Opening dates by country

Austria

Austria has the widest spread, from glacier skiing in autumn to the big Arlberg and Zillertal resorts in early December. Kitzbühel plans to open on 6 November with a partial opening, and Sölden's main resort follows on 12 November after its glacier has already been running for weeks. Obergurgl and Hochgurgl plan to open around 18 to 19 November, which puts them among the earlier high altitude village resorts. Ischgl plans 26 November, a popular date for groups who want a first big weekend with a proper après scene. St. Anton and Lech are listed for 2 December, Mayrhofen for 4 December and the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental for 5 December.

Switzerland

Zermatt plans to open on 1 November, partially at first, which makes it one of the earliest of the large Swiss resorts. Arosa Lenzerheide follows on 7 November, although one source marks that date as planned and less certain. Laax lists 28 November. Different sources give different dates for resorts such as Verbier and Crans Montana, so for those we recommend checking the resort's own page rather than trusting any aggregated list.

France

Val Thorens is the headline date in France: 21 November, which makes it one of the first of the big French resorts. Val d'Isère and Les 2 Alpes plan 28 November, and Chamonix opens partially on the same date. The linked Three Valleys area, including Courchevel and Méribel, plans to open between 4 and 5 December, and La Plagne and Les Arcs are listed for 12 December. Tignes appears with different dates in different sources, between 21 and 28 November, so check before booking.

Italy and Germany

In Italy, Livigno plans to open on 28 November and Bormio on 4 December. Many other Italian areas, including Cortina d'Ampezzo, are still listed as to be confirmed in at least one source. For Germany, the Zugspitze plans 28 November, which is the most realistic early option for skiers coming from Bavaria or the Netherlands who want a short drive.

Which date fits which kind of trip?

A first weekend in early or mid November

Choose a glacier area or one of the first resorts: Zermatt, Sölden or Kitzbühel. Expect limited terrain, cold mornings and a quiet atmosphere. This is often the cheapest way to get your first turns, but it is also the trip most likely to be affected by weather, so book accommodation that you can cancel or move.

The last weekend of November

This is the sweet spot for many skiers. Val Thorens, Ischgl, Val d'Isère, Les 2 Alpes and Laax all aim to open within a few days of each other. You get real resorts, open bars and restaurants, and a mountain that is usually quieter than in peak season. If you ski in a group, a late November weekend is often the easiest one to agree on, because it falls before the December holiday calendar fills up.

The first week of December

St. Anton, Lech, Mayrhofen, the SkiWelt and the Three Valleys all plan to open here. By this point most big areas have a link between sectors and more pistes open. The risk of a postponed opening is lower, and the prices usually sit below the Christmas and New Year rates, although that varies by resort and week.

Christmas and New Year

Every resort on this list plans to be open by Christmas, but that is still a plan, not a guarantee. If you have booked the holidays, check the lift status a week ahead and have a backup plan, such as a second resort within driving distance.

How to book without being caught out

1. Pick a flexible rate. For anything before 5 December, a booking that you can change or cancel costs a little more and saves a lot if the date slips.
2. Check the official site, not an aggregator. Resort pages update first, and the planned date there is the one that counts.
3. Go midweek if you can. Early season weekends tend to be busier because everyone is waiting for the same few open lifts.
4. Have a plan B within driving distance. If you travel by car from the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany, a second resort an hour away turns a cancelled opening into a different day, not a lost trip.
5. Pack for cold mornings and warm huts. Our ski trip packing list covers the full list.

What to wear for opening weekend

The first weekend of the season is cold on the lift and warm in the hut, so layers matter more than any single piece. A warm mid layer under your shell does most of the work. Our ski hoodies are made of 50% cotton and 50% polyester fleece, they are unisex, and they come in sizes S to 3XL. The Powder Junkie hoodie is a good fit for the first lift of the season. If you prefer something lighter for the lodge, our ski T-shirts are Gildan Softstyle 100% cotton (Sport Grey is 90% cotton, 10% polyester) in sizes S to 2XL.

If you are planning a late November trip, order ahead. Every item is printed to order within 1 to 2 working days, delivery usually takes 4 to 10 working days, and shipping is free worldwide with tracking. If the fit is not right, you have 14 days to return it, as long as it is unworn and unwashed.

Frequently asked questions

When does the ski season start in the Alps in 2026?

Glacier areas open from late September and October. The first larger resorts, such as Zermatt and Kitzbühel, plan to open in early November. Most big names open between 21 November and 5 December.

When does Zermatt open for the 2026/27 season?

Zermatt plans to open on 1 November 2026, with a partial opening at the start. Check the resort's official page closer to your travel date.

Which big resort opens first in France?

Val Thorens, with a planned opening on 21 November 2026. Val d'Isère and Les 2 Alpes follow on 28 November.

Are all resorts open at Christmas?

The resorts listed in this guide all plan to be open before Christmas, but opening dates depend on snow and temperature. A flexible booking and a backup resort are the safest approach.

Is it worth skiing in November?

For many skiers, yes, if you accept limited terrain and changeable weather. You get quiet pistes and often lower prices. If you want full terrain and the biggest après scene, early December is the safer choice.

Whichever date you choose, check the resort page a week before you go, pack the layers and enjoy the first lift of the season. And when you are in the hut afterwards, you might as well be wearing something that says how long you waited.