Cooper Eagles
Sep, 24 2025- 3 mins
Opening Dates for Top European Ski Resorts during the 25/26 Season
It’s almost that time! Now that Summer is officially over, we can start to properly plan which slopes we’re going to shred this Winter season. Listed from earliest to latest, we’ve laid out some of the more popular ski resorts in Europe and when they open.
Just note that all ski areas are subject to changing snow, weather and road conditions - so actual opening dates and times can change dramatically and at short notice.
But as of now, these are when the top ski resorts in Europe are projected to open. Be sure to click on each resort to discover more about its ratings, rankings, and unique features through our bespoke Resort Guides.
© Zillertal Tourismus GmbH - Tom Klocker Photo
Ruka (Finland) – Opening Oct 3: One of the longer seasons ending on May 3, with Night skiing available from Dec 5.
Levi (Finland) – Opening Oct 3: Alpine and cross-country skiing opens too.
Stubai Glacier (Austria) – Opening Oct 10: For glacier skiing, thanks to it being in the top 5 highest ski areas in Austria.
Cervinia (Italy) – Oct 25: High glacier access, one of the most snow-sure resorts in the Aosta Valley.
Zermatt (Switzerland) – Opening Nov 1: Official Season starts, with Sunnegga/Rothron and Gornergrat areas opening Nov 29.
Kitzbühel (Austria) – Opening Nov 7: Home to the Hahnenkamm downhill race and Strief piste.
Sölden (Austria) – Opening Nov 13: for Giggijoch & Gaislachkogl areas, with glacier skiing planned even earlier at the start of Oct (weather dependent, as of current date).
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl (Austria) – Opening Nov 20: Incredibly snow-sure resort, one of the highest at 1,930 meters up to 3,080.
Davos-Klosters (Switzerland) – Opening late Nov:
- Davos opens Nov 21, with weekend operation Nov 14-16
- Klosters opens Nov 28
3 Zinnen (Italy) – Opening Nov 22: Cable cars open for
- Passo Monte Croce Nov 15
- Monte Baranci Dec 5
- Dobbiaco & Val Comelico Ski Area Dec 20
Val Thorens (France) – Opening Nov 22: Grande Première weekend, highest 3 Vallées sector.
Tignes (France) – Opening Nov 22: Glacier open, full Tignes–Val d’Isère link Nov 29.
Ischgl (Austria) – Opening Nov 27: Silvretta Arena kicks off with events.
Val d’Isère (France) – Opening Nov 29: Kickoff weekend with Tignes, full linked area.
Les 2 Alpes (France) – Opening Nov 29: Full winter season begins, glacier skiing too.
St Moritz - Corviglia (Switzerland) – Opening Nov 29: Originator of winter tourism, growing to luxury status.
Courmayeur (Italy) – Opening Nov 29: Picturesque skiing behind the backdrop of Mont Blanc.
Livigno (Italy) – Opening Nov 29: Full lift operations, cross country skiing available to Switzerland for duty free shopping.
Pila (Italy) – Opening Nov 30: Compact Aosta Valley resort, with panoramic views of Matterhorn and Mont Blanc
St. Anton am Arlberg (Austria) – Opening Dec 3: Legendary Arlberg season starts.
Grandvalira (Andorra) – Opening Dec 5: Large ski are within the Pyrenees region, home to many ski resorts but most notably
Courchevel (France) – Opening Dec 5: Part of Les 3 Vallées start.
- Courchevel-Moriond and Courchevel-La Tania open Dec 6.
Verbier (Switzerland) – Opening Dec 6: 4 Vallées main lifts running, with Bruson opening Dec 13.
Méribel (France) – Opening Dec 6: Linked in with Courchevel and Val Thorens.
Serre Chevalier (France) – Opening Dec 6: Extensive southern Alps domain with sun-soaked slopes and varied terrain.
Bansko (Bulgaria) – Projected for Dec 6: Bulgaria’s oldest ski resort, located on the Rila Mountains.
Borovets (Bulgaria) – Projected for Dec 20:
Chamonix (France) – Whole resort opens Dec 20, with some areas opening earlier
- Grand Montets opens Dec 5
- Brévent-Flégère area opens Dec 13
- Balme area opens Dec 13
- Les Houches area opens Dec 20
- La Vormaine area opens Dec 20
That covers most of it, and we hope you have a better understanding of when these top European ski resorts open for the 25/26 Ski Season. For a full understanding of what these resorts have to offer, click on their name to be taken to their Resort Guide: our Snomad communities comprehensive rating and ranking of these resorts, along with stats and tips to ensure you know everything you need before booking your ski trips.