Ski openings worldwide in 2024: When do the ski resorts open?

Winter 2024/25 is just around the corner, and with it the global season openings of ski resorts. This makes passionate skiers and snowboarders all the more excited that they won’t have to wait too much longer for the long-awaited first slopes of the new winter sports year. While many glacier ski resorts often open their doors to winter sports enthusiasts long before Advent, SnowTrex is now taking a look at numerous other popular ski resorts around the world and showing when the ski season starts there.

© SkiWelt WilderKaiser - Brixental / Mathäus Gartner.

In the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser, one of Austria’s most popular ski resorts, the 2024 winter season will begin on 6 December.

An overview of ski openings around the world

28 September: Pitztal Glacier (Austria)

Winter sports enthusiasts who want to enjoy the mountain panorama from one of Europe’s highest vantage points – Café 3,440 at an altitude of 3,440 metres – and experience one of the first ski openings of 2024 can also do so from the end of September. That’s when the new ski season begins on the Pitztal Glacier.

11 October: Stubai Glacier (Austria)

Austria’s largest glacier ski area is traditionally known for its guaranteed snow and therefore opens for winter skiing in mid-October. It is also one of the most child-friendly ski areas in the country. A real highlight in the Stubai Valley is the 10 km long ‘Wilde Grub’n’ downhill run, which leads through an untouched side valley back to the Gamsgarten valley station.

12 October: Kaunertal Glacier (Austria)

From mid-October, you can enjoy skiing at altitudes of up to 3,100 m on the Kaunertal Glacier. Tyrol’s youngest glacier offers around 32 km of slopes and, of course, views of several three-thousand-metre peaks.

© Michal Czech/Shutterstock

The Kaunertal Glacier is Tyrol’s youngest glacier.

12 October: Kitzsteinhorn (Austria)

The ski resort on the Kitzsteinhorn, the highest mountain in the Salzburg region at 3,029 metres, opens in mid-October. From the mountain station, you can see the glacier and the surrounding mountains, such as the Großglockner and the Großvenediger, when visibility is good.

© nikolpetr/shutterstock.de

At the Kitzsteinhorn, you can already reach heights of up to 3,029 metres at the beginning of November.

26 October: Mölltal Glacier (Austria)

The Mölltal Glacier is open all summer long for hikers and other active holidaymakers before the new winter season kicks off in October. Snow, sun and a fantastic panorama at an altitude of up to 3,122 metres make for a wonderful skiing experience in Carinthia.

© Christopher Moswitzer/Shutterstock

The Mölltal Glacier offers perfect slope conditions even before the actual start of the season in other Alpine ski resorts.

26 October: Kåbdalis (Sweden)

Skiing in Sweden – From the end of October, this is possible in Kåbdalis, for example. Located in Swedish Lapland, this compact ski resort offers winter sports enthusiasts around 9 kilometres of slopes.

30 October: Arapahoe Basin (USA)

There are also a number of ski openings outside Europe. However, skiers and snowboarders should only start the ski season at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado if they are experienced. The area covers 105 kilometres of slopes and is very steep and difficult in many places.

2 November: Lake Louise (Canada)

Why not start the ski season in Canada? The ski opening takes place in the first week of November in the World Cup resort of Lake Louise. In the famous Champagne Powder of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, you can enjoy wonderful turns in deep snow.

9 November: Keystone (USA)

From 9 November, it’s ‘addicted to snow’ again at the Keystone ski resort in the US state of Colorado. A whopping 135 kilometres of slopes will then be available to winter sports enthusiasts – at an impressive altitude of up to 3,652 metres!

9 November: Sulden am Ortler (Italy)

‘Benvenuti!’ in Sulden am Ortler – the fun on the slopes starts again at the beginning of November. The breathtaking mountain landscape at Ortler attracts winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world every year. No wonder: at an altitude of up to 3,250 metres, the ski resort is absolutely snow-sure.

© TravelTrex

The Sulden am Ortler ski resort offers plenty of sunshine and deep snow.

9 November: Arosa-Lenzerheide (Switzerland)

Winter sports enthusiasts will also find the best slope conditions in the Arosa-Lenzerheide ski area. The start of the skiing season on the magnificent slopes in the canton of Graubünden is also planned for the first weekend in November 2023. Then skiing fun at altitudes of up to 2,865 metres is guaranteed once again.

© Arosa Bergbahnen AG

With fantastic snow conditions, skiers will once again be able to enjoy magical turns on the slopes of the Arosa-Lenzerheide ski resort in 2024.

9 November: Kitzbühel (Austria)

One of the best ski openings takes place every year around the legendary Streif, because with the Kitzbühel mountain railways, you can travel directly from the Hollersbach valley station to the Resterkogel mountain station in the KitzSki ski area from the beginning of November. Popular attractions include the ski safaris from Hollersbach to the World Cup run and the ride on the three-cable gondola lift, which hovers at an altitude of 400 metres.

© gevision/shutterstock.de

On the slopes in Kitzbühel, fun is already guaranteed in autumn when the weather is good.

14 November: Sölden (Austria)

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, Sölden has something for all winter sports enthusiasts from mid-November onwards. Nestled in the heart of the Ötztal Alps and surrounded by around 250 three-thousand-metre peaks, you can get the new ski season off to a perfect start on 144 kilometres of slopes and watch the world’s best skiers compete in the opening event of the Alpine Ski World Cup at the end of October. Just under a month earlier, on 27 September, the glacier ski area will open for the season.

© Ötztal Tourismus/Mathäus Gartner

Pure skiing fun – that’s the motto for the season opening in the Sölden ski resort.

14 November: Obergurgl-Hochgurgl (Austria)

In mid-November, the Ötztal valley kicks off the season with a popular ski opening event in Austria. The Obergurgl-Hochgurgl ski resort is often referred to as the ‘Diamond of the Alps,’ and rightly so. The view from the Panorama Bar at 3,080 metres above sea level is simply breathtaking, especially when the weather is perfect, making it almost ‘priceless.’

© Ötztal Tourismus/Roman Huber

The Obergurgl-Hochgurgl ski resort in the Ötztal valley is a true snow paradise for winter sports enthusiasts throughout the entire winter season.

16 November: Titlis-Engelberg (Switzerland)

In Switzerland, mid-November means it’s time to hit the slopes! The Engelberg-Titlis ski resort offers snow lovers 82 kilometres of slopes on the glacier at altitudes of up to 3,020 metres.

© Constantin Diehl/Shutterstock

Fantastic view from the summit of the Engelberg Titlis ski area.

23 November: Aspen (USA)

In the Aspen ski region in the USA, the Aspen Mountain and Snowmass ski resorts kick off the season in the penultimate week of November. The other two ski resorts (Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands) in this snow-sure Colorado resort also open around this time.

23 November: Val Thorens (France)

At the end of November, Europe’s highest ski resort says: Hit the slopes! In Val Thorens (2,300 m), the fun on the slopes begins almost at the foot of your bed, as the resort is located in the middle of the ski area. The associated ski area network ‘Les 3 Vallées’, the largest contiguous ski area in the world (600 kilometres of slopes), also opens around this time.

© Delpixel/shutterstock.de

From bed to slopes and back again – no problem in the Val Thorens ski resort.

23 November: Orelle (France)

On the weekend of 23 and 24 November, one ski opening after another will take place in the Alps. In Orelle, too, the fun on the slopes will really get going just under a month before Christmas Eve!

23 November: Obertauern (Austria)

It’s never boring in Obertauern! That’s why, starting on 23 November, it’s time again for ski openings, après-ski, night skiing and lots of fresh snow. That’s what this family ski resort is known for. In addition to snow, there are also many sunny days. There are an average of 86 sunny days here during the season.

28 November: Ischgl (Austria)

On the day of the legendary ‘Top of the Mountain Opening Concert’, the Ischgl ski resort opens its doors with one of the loudest ski opening events. The world-famous ski resort promises pure fun on the slopes right from the start of winter. And off-piste, stamina is also required: because a day of skiing in Ischgl is nothing without a good dose of après-ski in the evening.

© TVB Paznaun-Ischgl

It’s time to hit the slopes in Ischgl as early as November.

29 November: Laax (Switzerland)

At the end of November, the Laax ski resort reopens its doors to snow enthusiasts. Winter sports enthusiasts should definitely pack their sunscreen, as the slopes here enjoy around 1,800 hours of sunshine per year. This is one of the reasons why freeriders in particular love this Swiss snow paradise.

© TravelTrex

Laax is one of the largest ski resorts in Switzerland and is particularly popular with freestylers.

30 November: Les 2 Alpes (France)

SnowTrex is celebrating the opening of the ski season in the Les 2 Alpes ski resort for a whole week! For years, the popular PowderWeek has been the highlight of the start of the season on the slopes in the French Alps on 30 November. With altitudes of up to 3,560 metres and up to 200 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes, skiing fun is naturally the main focus. But that’s not all, because the supporting programme is also packed with an opening and bad taste party, snow volleyball and ultimate frisbee tournaments, après-ski parties and a closing evening with traditional raclette.

© TravelTrex

At the start of the season in Les 2 Alpes, SnowTrex’s PowderWeek offers not only sunshine and pure skiing fun, but also a great supporting programme.

30 November: Zugspitze (Germany)

On the last day of November 2024, it will be that time of year again in Germany: the slopes will open in the country’s most famous ski resort on the Zugspitze (2,962 m). And whether you are a beginner or an advanced skier, everyone will find something to suit them on Germany’s highest mountain.

© Andrew Buckin/shutterstock.de

The Zugspitze is not only Germany’s highest mountain, it is also home to the highest ski resort in the country.

30 November: Tignes – Val d’Isère (France)

Skiers’ dreams will come true again in the Tignes – Val d’Isère ski area from the end of November. That’s when the ‘La Grande Motte’ glacier will open for the 2024/25 ski season. The five-star ski area, which connects the resorts of Tignes and Val d’Isère, will then offer an incredible 300 kilometres of slopes. Variety for skiers and snowboarders is therefore guaranteed!

30 November: Wilder Kaiser-Brixental (Austria)

Over 270 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes, 3 fun parks, illuminated toboggan runs and Austria’s largest night skiing area. All this and much more awaits winter sports enthusiasts in the Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski world when the 2024/25 ski season begins on 30 November with one of the top ski openings in the Alps! The ski resort not only shines with its slopes, but also with its location. After all, it can be reached from Munich in just one hour.

30 November: Chamonix (France)

Shortly before the first Sunday in Advent, it’s time to get your skis on and hit the slopes in the Chamonix ski resort! Winter sports enthusiasts love the region not only for its 172 kilometres of slopes at altitudes of up to 3,275 metres, but also because they can enjoy a unique panorama of Mont Blanc on the slopes in perfect weather conditions.

6 December: Adelboden/Lenk (Switzerland)

When it comes to ski openings, one of Switzerland’s best-known and most popular ski resorts cannot be left out. On St. Nicholas Day, Adelboden-Lenk also kicks off the new winter season. With around 195 kilometres of slopes, the World Cup resort is one of the largest winter sports areas in the Bernese Oberland.

6 December: Schladming-Dachstein (Austria)

Every year, the stars of the music scene flock to the Planai Stadium in Schladming for the biggest ski opening parties. This will be no different in 2024, when three world stars will take to the stage on the evenings of 6, 7 and 8 December! Before the performances by Bryan Adams (Friday, 8 p.m.), Sting (Saturday, 8 p.m.) and Simply Red (Sunday, 6 p.m.), winter sports enthusiasts can of course explore many of the 123 kilometres of slopes in the Schladming-Dachstein ski area (4-mountain ski area) during the day.

Please note that the dates for the individual openings are subject to change, as they always depend on the snow conditions on site and may therefore be postponed!

FAQ about ski openings

When does the 2024/25 ski season start in the first ski resorts?

The 2024/25 ski season begins at the end of September on the Pitztal Glacier in Austria. From 28 September, winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy their first taste of fun on the slopes there. Further ski openings will follow in October, including at the Stubai Glacier and the Kitzsteinhorn.

Which ski openings are particularly suitable for families with children?

The Stubai Glacier ski resort, which opens its season on 11 October 2024, is considered particularly child-friendly. In addition to guaranteed snow, it offers a 10-kilometre-long downhill run that is ideal for families. Kåbdalis in Sweden, which opens on 26 October 2024, is also a manageable ski resort that is well suited for families.

When does PowderWeek take place?

SnowTrex’s PowderWeek has been taking place for years around the start of the season in Les 2 Alpes, France. This year, the ski resort there opens on 30 November at an altitude of up to 3,560 metres and with 200 kilometres of slopes. This day also marks the start of PowderWeek, which runs until 7 December 2024 and offers pure fun on the slopes as well as a great supporting programme with a bad taste party, snow volleyball tournament and a closing evening with traditional raclette.

Where can advanced skiers start the ski season early?

Advanced skiers should consider Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, USA. This ski resort opens on 30 October 2024 and offers 105 kilometres of slopes, which are particularly challenging due to their steep and rough sections.

Which ski openings are ideal for freeriders?

Freeriders will love the Laax ski resort in Switzerland, which opens on 29 November 2024. With around 1,800 hours of sunshine per year, Laax is a paradise for freeriders who want to enjoy the best snow conditions and plenty of sunshine.

Which ski resorts are particularly recommended with their ski openings in November 2024?

Many ski resorts will open their doors in December 2024, but the Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski resort in Austria (30 November) and Chamonix in France (30 November) are particularly noteworthy. Both offer countless kilometres of slopes and breathtaking mountain panoramas, making the start of the season in these ski resorts an unforgettable experience.