These top events are coming up in the 2026/2027 ski season

At the start of the 2026/2027 ski season, numerous top skiing events will once again take place in the ski resorts in autumn and throughout the winter. From the multitude of glacier openings and concerts, competitions and exuberant après-ski parties, SnowTrex has now compiled a colourful selection of the biggest highlights for all snow enthusiasts. So you can already choose your personal top event for the coming ski season and start planning your next ski trip!

© lightsandsquares/shutterstock.de

The coming winter season will once again feature top events in the Alps, such as the Alpine Ski World Cup weekend with the Hahnenkamm Downhill in Kitzbühel.

An overview of the top events of the 2026/2027 ski season

24th and 25th October: World Cup kick-off in Sölden

• Kilometres of slopes: 144 km
• Altitude: 3,340 m
• Live: Weather report from Sölden

On 24th and 25th October 2026, it will be that time again for ski pros from all over the world. That’s when the Alpine Ski World Cup, one of the best ski events of 2026, will kick off in Sölden on the Rettenbachferner glacier. Around 20,000 spectators are expected to watch the skiing aces hurtle down the ultra-steep World Cup slope. But the slopes in the ski resort will not only be open to the pros, but also to amateur skiers!

© Ötztal Tourismus/Johann Groder

On the Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden in the Ötztal Valley, the Alpine Ski World Cup traditionally kicks off at the end of October.

→ Book unforgettable skiing experiences in Sölden with SnowTrex now

18th to 22nd November: Ski opening and Alpine Ski World Cup in Gurgl

• Kilometres of slopes: 112 km
• Altitude: 3,030 m
• Live: Weather report from Obergurgl-Hochgurgl

From 18th to 22nd November 2026 the lifts will open in the Gurgl – Obergurgl-Hochgurgl ski area and the best-prepared pistes will open for the ski opening. This will be celebrated in style, before another highlight takes place just a few days later. On 21st and 22nd November, the Slalom World Cup weekend will take place here, with some of the world’s best skiers, including several ski legends, in attendance!

© Ötztal Tourismus/Johann Groder

The world’s best slalom skiers gather in Gurgl for the World Cup weekend.

Naturally, there will be a great programme of events in and around the Gurgl Carat. On Friday, there will be a party with “Diamond Beats”, as well as the first official start number draw. On Saturday, the men’s race will be held on the Kirchenkar World Cup piste, while fans can enjoy a party in the fan zone at the Top Mountain Crosspoint in Hochgurgl. The Ski Alpin World Cup weekend will come to a close on Sunday with the ladies’ slalom.

→ Make sure you enjoy unforgettable skiing moments in Obergurgl – Hochgurgl with SnowTrex

28th November: Top of the Mountain Concert in Ischgl

• Kilometres of slopes: 112 km
• Altitude: 3,030 m
• Live: Weather report from Ischgl

Three times per season, Ischgl invites the world’s top music stars to rock the stage in the village and then, in spring, on the Idalp against a breathtaking backdrop. That’s because Tyrol’s après-ski stronghold is regularly turned upside down by the “Top of the Mountain” concerts. It’s clear that the line-up will once again be top-class in the coming winter. It remains to be seen which stars will get the winter sports enthusiasts fired up at some of the best international skiing events over Easter and at the end of the season. The same goes for who will be performing at the kick-off on 28th November 2026 at the valley station of the Silvrettabahn. In 2025, it was global superstar Rita Ora:

→ Plan your Alpine break and find the best deals for Ischgl at SnowTrex

4th to 6th December: Stanton Ski Open in St. Anton

• Kilometres of slopes: 300 km
• Altitude: 2,811 m
• Live: Weather report from St. Anton

Many winter sports enthusiasts can hardly wait to get back on their skis in Vorarlberg as part of one of the most enjoyable skiing events in the Alps. They won’t have to wait much longer, as the Ski Arlberg ski area in St. Anton will be opening its doors again from 4th to 6th December 2026. Throughout the ‘Stanton Ski Open’ opening weekend, winter sports enthusiasts will be able to test the latest ski and snowboard models from leading manufacturers, who are expected to have their stands set up once again at the Galzigbahn valley station.

© TVB St. Anton am Arlberg/Patrick Bätz

On 5 December, skiers in Vorarlberg have reason to celebrate as the ski season in St. Anton kicks off once again.

→ Discover St. Anton with SnowTrex now

10th to 13th December: Rave on Snow in Saalbach-Hinterglemm

• Kilometres of slopes: 270 km
• Altitude: 2,096 m
• Live: Weather report from Saalbach-Hinterglemm

At this festival, you’ll (almost) not get a wink of sleep for three days. After all, the 31st ‘Rave on Snow’ in Saalbach-Hinterglemm isn’t just one of the biggest ski festivals of 2026, but of the whole winter, with parties across 12 dance floors and over 70 DJs, as well as other live acts! In the Salzburg region, the club scene has been celebrating Christmas from 10th to 13th December 2026, right in the middle of Advent, and has been doing so for over three decades now:

→ Plan your Alpine break and find the best deals for Saalbach-Hinterglemm at SnowTrex

12th to 19th December: PowderWeek in Les 2 Alpes

• Kilometres of slopes: 220 km
• Altitude: 3,600 m
• Live: Weather report from Les 2 Alpes

In Les 2 Alpes, the season kicks off once again with SnowTrex’s PowderWeek! From 12th to 19th December 2026, you can make your first turns on the still-empty slopes. After action-packed days of skiing at altitudes of up to 3,600 metres on the glacier, winter sports enthusiasts can look forward to a packed programme of events, including barbecues, fun competitions and parties with DJs getting the party going with après-ski hits.

© TravelTrex

With PowderWeek comes the breathtaking mountain panorama of Les 2 Alpes.

→ Book unforgettable skiing experiences in Les 2 Alpes with SnowTrex now

27th to 29th December: Four Hills Tournament Kick-Off in Oberstdorf

• Kilometres of slopes: 13 km
• Altitude: 2,224 m
• Live: Weather report from Oberstdorf

In Oberstdorf, the old year is traditionally bid farewell with the opening jump of the legendary Four Hills Tournament. This will also be the case in 2026, when, on 27th to 29th December 2026, the crème de la crème of ski jumpers will gather at the Schattenbergschanze, cheered on by around 30,000 spectators. And what makes this year historic is that, for the very first time ever, the women’s ski jumpers also competed here in their Four Hills Tournament!

→ Discover Oberstdorf with SnowTrex now

1st January: New Year’s Ski Jumping in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

• Kilometres of slopes: 60 km
• Altitude: 2,720 m
• Live: Weather report from Garmisch-Partenkirchen

The second stop on the tour is Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The traditional New Year’s ski jumping event will take place on 1st January 2027 at the Große Olympiaschanze, when the world’s top ski jumpers will once again compete in the Ski Jumping World Cup. At one of the first major winter sports events of the new year, the professionals are cheered on every year not only by around 25,000 spectators in the stadium, but also by millions of television viewers in their living rooms.

© Milan1983/shutterstock.de

The new winter sports year kicks off with the New Year’s Ski Jumping on the Große Olympiaschanze in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

→ Plan your Alpine break and find the best deals for Garmisch-Partenkirchen at SnowTrex

9th January: Swiss Snow Walk & Run in Arosa

• Kilometres of slopes: 225 km
• Altitude: 2,865 m
• Live: Weather report from Arosa

Anyone who, as well as skiing, is keen on running or Nordic walking should not miss the “Swiss Snow Walk & Run” in Arosa on 9th January 2027. Whether you choose the S6 (5.9 km), S13 (12.9 km), S16 (15.7 km) or S21 (20.6 km) routes: a race through the magnificent Swiss winter landscape is guaranteed here. But be warned: the running route is also completely covered in snow and is therefore very challenging. The race is therefore recommended mainly for fit runners.

→ Book unforgettable skiing experiences in Arosa and Lenzerheide with SnowTrex now

9th to 16th January: Belalp Hexe in Blatten

From 9th January 2027, things will once again be as wild as ever in Blatten, Switzerland. That’s when the legendary ‘Witches’ Downhill’ kicks off on the Belalp, with countless skiers taking to the slopes in witch costumes. And that’s not all: at this event in the picturesque holiday region within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Swiss Alps Aletsch Arena, it’s all about speed, whoever is the fastest wins, whether in fancy dress or not. The fastest “witches” cover the 12 km route from Hohstock (3,118 m) down to Blatten (1,322 m) in just under 10 minutes!

15th to 17th January: Lauberhorn Races in Wengen

• Kilometres of slopes: 101 km
• Altitude: 2,400 m
• Live: Weather report from Wengen

The Lauberhorn in the Bernese Pre-Alps stands at 2,472 metres. The summit, in the shadow of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, became world-famous thanks to the legendary Lauberhorn Race in Wengen. Every year, the best athletes on the Alpine Skiing World Cup circuit compete here in the downhill and slalom events. The speed course is 4.5 km long in total, making it officially the world’s longest downhill run. From 15th to 17th January 2027, ski fans can cheer on the stars of the sport at one of the most famous ski racing events.

→ Discover Wengen with SnowTrex now

19th to 24th January: Hahnenkamm Races in Kitzbühel

• Kilometres of slopes: 188 km
• Altitude: 2,000 m
• Live: Weather report from Kitzbühel

When the ski racers once again hurtle down the legendary “Streif” and other slopes at the Hahnenkamm Races in Kitzbühel, the tens of thousands of spectators lining the course may well find their breath catching in their throats. From 19th to 24th January 2027, it will be that time of year again, and that’s by no means all. For the most important World Cup weekend of the year, the organisers in this upmarket ski resort traditionally put on a host of parties and other events.

→ Plan your Alpine break and find the best deals in Kitzbühel with SnowTrex

20th to 23th January: International Inferno Race in Mürren

The Inferno Race in Mürren, Switzerland, will take place for the 83rd time from 20th to 23th January 2027 and is regarded as the world’s largest amateur ski race. As only 1,850 participants are allowed in total, the starting field is usually fully booked by September. The course is just under 14.9 km long and has been completed by previous record-holders in under 15 minutes. Those who wish to take a little more time will need around 45 minutes and can enjoy the mountain panorama to the full whilst doing so.

26th and 27th January: The Nightrace in Schladming

• Kilometres of slopes: 123 km
• Altitude: 2,015 m
• Live: Weather report from Schladming

On 26th and 27th January 2027, the Alpine Ski World Cup will take place for the 30th time at the Planai Stadium under the name “The Nightrace”. In front of 45,000 spectators, the athletes will race down the steep and often icy slalom run under floodlights in two runs, all the way to Schladming’s famous “Hexenkessel”, before the event seamlessly transitions into one of the biggest ski parties in the Alps.

© nicepix4u/shutterstock.de

At the Nightrace on the Planai in Schladming, the world’s best slalom skiers traditionally compete each year.

→ Book unforgettable skiing experiences in Schladming with SnowTrex now

14th to 20th March: Rock the Pistes in Portes du Soleil

• Kilometres of slopes: 580 km
• Altitude: 2,254 m

From 14th to 20th March 2027, the “Rock the Pistes” festival will take place for the 16th time in the Portes du Soleil cross-border ski resort. The best bands from the international pop/rock scene will perform here in the great outdoors against a stunning Alpine backdrop in Switzerland and France. Admission is included in the ski pass. The organisers are once again expecting over 24,000 visitors this winter. Dozens of concerts await them in the ski resort.

→ Discover the Portes du Soleil with SnowTrex now

25th to 29th March: Cover Festival in Davos

• Kilometres of slopes: 95 km
• Altitude: 2,844 m
• Live: Weather report from Davos

The 10th Cover Festival, taking place in Davos from 25th to 29th March 2027, is a weekend packed with stars and offers winter sports enthusiasts a wonderful opportunity to round off the season with plenty of music, sunshine and, hopefully, plenty of snow: all for free. As always, the festival’s ‘world stars’ will be impersonated by well-known tribute bands. The resemblance of the performers to the originals in terms of appearance, facial expressions and singing is often astonishing. So it doesn’t really matter whether it’s the real or the fake Robbie Williams on stage – entertainment is guaranteed either way!

→ Plan your Alpine break and find the best Davos-Klosters deals at SnowTrex

2nd to 4th: Lederhosen Wedel Weekend in the Zillertal

• Kilometres of slopes: 541 km
• Altitude: 3,250 m

As the season draws to a close, things in the Zillertal get both wild and traditional. Anyone who ventures onto the slopes in a dirndl or lederhosen between 2nd and 4th April 2027 to make their final turns in the snow will receive a discounted ski pass. The traditional costume fun is accompanied by live music and plenty of partying. The fun really gets going at the after-show party at the Krocha Alm, where, alongside alcoholic drinks, there are of course top live acts and a fantastic atmosphere at the après-ski events.

→ Book unforgettable skiing experiences in the Zillertal with SnowTrex now

6th to 10th April: Zermatt Unplugged in Zermatt

• Kilometres of slopes: 200 km
• Altitude: 3,883 m
• Live: Weather report from Zermatt

Set against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps, music fans among winter sports enthusiasts will once again be able to enjoy authentic sounds from 6th to 10th April 2027. At the Unplugged concerts in Zermatt, the atmosphere of the Matterhorn-Zermatt ski region meets the sounds of cutting-edge artists. With no sound mixing or other effects, just pure acoustic performances, stars such as James Blunt, Matt Simons, Alle Farben and James Morrison have previously performed in the large marquee in the village centre. The line-up for 2027 will not be announced until December.

→ Discover Zermatt with SnowTrex now

9th and 10th April: Allalin Races in Saas-Fee

• Kilometres of slopes: 100 km
• Altitude: 3,573 m
• Live: Weather report from Saas-Fee

On 9th and 10th April 2027, the professional skiers will once again hurtle down the slopes in Saas-Fee at speeds of around 140 km/h. The race starts on the Allalin, at an altitude of around 4,000 m. From there, the course descends 9 km across the glacier of the same name to the prestigious Swiss ski resort, situated 2,227 m lower down. This makes the entire run one of the highest and longest in the world.

© Schweiz Tourismus/Tom Malecha

The slopes in the Saas-Fee ski resort are among the most beautiful and longest in the whole of Switzerland, making them the ideal terrain for the famous Allalin Race.

→ Plan your Alpine break and find the best Saas-Fee deals at SnowTrex

13–18 April: Electric Mountain Festival in Sölden

• Kilometres of slopes: 144 km
• Altitude: 3,340 m
• Live: Weather report from Sölden

A state of excitement as the season draws to a close amidst the Ötztal mountains: for the twelfth time, the five-day “Electric Mountain Festival” in Sölden, running from 12th to 17th April 2027, is set to welcome numerous top DJs from the EDM scene. Over the first three days, a host of side events will set the scene, before, on Friday and Saturday, over 18,000 dance enthusiasts transform the Giggijoch area in the glacier ski resort into a snow-covered dance floor.

© Ötztal Tourismus/Nicolai Semrau

The “Electric Mountain Festival” in Sölden has by now become a fixed highlight of the Alpine spring ski event calendar.

→ Book unforgettable skiing experiences in Sölden with SnowTrex now

17th April: Weisser Rausch in St. Anton

• Kilometres of slopes: 300 km
• Altitude: 2,811 m
• Live: Weather report from St. Anton

On 17th April 2027, 555 participants, including skiers, snowboarders and telemark skiers, will set off from St. Anton. From an altitude of 2,650 metres, the route winds its way down 9 challenging kilometres to the valley station. The “Weiße Rausch” is one of the disciplines of the Arlberg Adler Triathlon. Alongside professionals racing against the clock, colourfully costumed amateurs also take part, for whom fun and the motto “It’s all about taking part” are the main priorities at one of the final events on this year’s skiing calendar.

© TVB St. Anton am Arlberg/Patrick Säly

In the St. Anton ski area, 555 daring skiers set out each year to tackle the “Weisser Rausch,” one of the most challenging amateur ski races in the Alps.

→ Discover St. Anton with SnowTrex now

25th to 26th January: Välley Rälley in the Zillertal

• Pistenkilometer: 541 km
• Höhe: bis zu 3.250 m

This spring, the Välley Rälley is back in the Zillertal. Snowboarders, whether kids, amateurs or professionals, will have the chance to showcase their skills at four events, including the finale on 25th and 26th April 2027 at the Hintertux Glacier in the “Bretterpark Hintertux”. At each stop on the tour, an open slopestyle, big air or rail competition will be held. The boarders collect points throughout the tour, and the overall winners will be crowned Prince, Queen, and King of Välley after the final stop in Hintertux.

→ Book unforgettable skiing experiences in the Zillertal with SnowTrex now

FAQ’s about ski events

When and where does the 2026/2027 Alpine Skiing World Cup begin?

The 2026/2027 Alpine Skiing World Cup begins on 24th and 25th October in Sölden, Austria. The professional skiers will compete in thrilling races on the Rettenbachferner, whilst spectators can ski on the open slopes themselves.

What is PowderWeek in Les 2 Alpes, and when will it take place in 2026?

PowderWeek in Les 2 Alpes, organised by SnowTrex, will take place from 12th to 19th December 2026. In one of the largest ski resorts in the French Alps, winter sports enthusiasts can look forward not only to fantastic slopes but also to an extensive programme of events featuring barbecues, competitions, and après-ski parties.

Which major ski races are taking place in January 2027?

Several top ski races will take place in January 2027, including the Lauberhorn Race in Wengen (15th to 167th January), the Hahnenkamm Races in Kitzbühel (19th to 24th January) and the Night Race in Schladming (26th and 27th January), one of the world’s most spectacular floodlit races.

When will the 2026 Top of the Mountain Opening Concert take place in Ischgl?

The Top of the Mountain Opening Concert in Ischgl is one of the most famous après-ski events in the Alps. The first concert of the season will take place on 28 November 2026, featuring a performance by an artist yet to be announced, at the valley station of the Silvrettabahn.

What skiing events are taking place at the end of the season in April 2027?

A number of major skiing events are taking place at the end of the season, including the Lederhosen Wedel Weekend in the Zillertal (2nd to 4th April), the Zermatt Unplugged Festival (6th to 10th April) and the Electric Mountain Festival in Sölden (12th to 17th April).