Glacier Ski Areas in Austria Are Opening
26th September 2022
Last modified on October 2nd, 2022
Hintertux and Soelden already have slopes open with others making final preparations after the temperatures have dropped and fresh snow has arrived. The winter of 2022/23 is around the corner with significant snow forecast for this week. UPDATED
UPDATE: October 2nd 2022
Since posting the article below we have updated the situation as more glacier areas have opened.
See here for the very latest:
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September 26th 2022:
Hintertux is the only glacier resort in the Alps that has managed to remain open to the general public across the summer.
It was touch and go several times, but things are now improving.
It has 10 lifts running with a claimed snow depth of 25cm.
Professional skiers and keen locals are now out on its slopes.
A snowpark has also opened.
Soelden, is due to hold World Cup racing next month, and it has also managed to open some slopes up on its glacier area.
Elsewhere in the Tirol Kaunertal has just announced it is set to open its slopes on October 1st.
Stubai opens on September 30th.
It has been a long hot summer across the peaks of the Alps and the high temperatures have had a devastating impact on the glaciers.
Locals say it has been far and away the worst summer for the glaciers in recent years.
But now, finally, things are changing.
“Today we are happy about the first snowflakes after a hot summer. We will start back at glacier as soon as we can resume skiing,” said the Molltaller glacier.
It plans to open shortly but no firm date has been given.
Autumn skiing and snowboarding will also soon be available further east at Kitzsteinhorn.
Preparations are underway in Pitztal too.
It opens on October 1st.
There has already been some fresh snow on the peaks on the Alps as we reported in this earlier article on PlanetSKI:
The forecast for this week looks promising with more than half a metre of snow predicted at 3,000m.
“The forecast is very promising with significant snow expected in the Alps, not just at high altitude but to quite low levels too,” said Fraser Wilkin from Weathertoski.co.uk.
“But before anyone gets too excited this is still far too early for it to mean anything for the main winter season, but it will be a significant extra boost fpr the glaciers that are already open, and those planning to open soon.”
Here at PlanetSKI we are hoping to visit the glacier resorts in the Tirol next month to start our winter season.
The forecast snow looks promising.
We are keeping a close eye on conditions and will be updating this article with all the latest news and weather forecasts.
Checkout our updated and live Snow Report at the bottom of the PlanetSKI home page.
Here is what it currently looks like:
Zermatt in Switzerland closed at the end of July but we are pleased to report it has now re-opened some slopes on its glacier ski area.
Fresh snow has fallen over the weekend with more due this week.
Cervinia in Italy gives access to the same glacier slopes and it is due to open shortly.
The Italian glacier area of Passo Stelvio is currently open, and Val Senales.
We await to hear when Les2Alpes and Tignes in France will open this autumn.
Both were forced to close their summer skiing early due to deteriorating conditions.
But now there is some optimism in the alpine air as the ski season prepares to get underway.
We can’t wait to get back on the slopes.
Soelden, Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
