Opening Dates for Ski Resorts in the Alps Popular with the British
18th September 2024
Last modified on September 23rd, 2024
With the recent snow in the Alps getting us looking forward to winter our friends at Maison Sport have produced a handy post about opening dates. UPDATED
The majority of ski resorts in Europe open at the beginning of December and close towards the end of April.
Maison Sport lists them in its blog post.
It’s important to note that the dates provided are preliminary and subject to change as resort opening dates are projected and may be updated.
SKI RESORTS IN FRANCE
France. Image © PlanetSKI.
Tignes: 23 Nov 2024-25 April May 2025
Val Thorens: 23 Nov 2024-4 May 2025
Val d’Isere: 30 Nov 2024-26 April 2025
Alpe d’Huez: 30 Nov 2024-21 April 2025
Les 2 Alpes: 30 Nov 2024-4 May 2025
Courchevel: 6 Dec 2024-21 April 2025
Les Menuires: 7 Dec 2024-21 April 2025
Megeve: 7 Dec 2024 (partial opening)-6 April 2025
Meribel: 7 Dec 2024-21 April 2025
Avoriaz: 13 Dec 2024-21 April 2025
Morzine: 13 Dec 2024-21 April 2025
Flaine: 14 Dec 2024-21 April 2025
Samoens:14 Dec 2024-21 April 2025
La Plagne: 4 Dec 2024-18 April 2025
Les Arcs: 14 Dec 2024-26 April 2025
Les Gets: 21 Dec 2024-6 April 2025
Chamonix: 21 Dec 2024 – 4 May 2025
SKI RESORTS IN AUSTRIA
SkiWelt, Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Zell am See: 12 October 2024 (Kitzsteinhorn) – 21 April 2025
Soelden: 14 Nov 2024-4 May 2025
Ischgl: 28 Nov 2024-4 May 2025
St Anton: 04 Dec 2024-22 April 2025
Lech: 04 Dec 2024-22 April 2025
Mayrhofen: 6 Dec 2024-21 April 2025
Kitzbuehel: 23 Nov 2024-6 April 2025
Update:
Soelden and Stubai opened in the second half of September following the huge autumn snowfall.
We have reported it in this separate PlanetSKI news article:
SKI RESORTS IN ITALY
Italy Flag. Image © PlanetSKI
Cervinia: 26 Oct 2024-4th May 2025
Livigno: 30 Nov 2024-1 May 2025
Bormio: 30 Nov 2024-6 April 2025
Courmayeur: 30 November 2024-6 April 2025
Champoluc: 6 Dec 2024-13 April 2025
Cortina: TBC
Madonna: TBC
Sauze d’Oulx: TBC
Sestriere: TBC
Abertone: TBC
SKI RESORTS IN SWITZERLAND
Zermatt, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Grindelwald/Wengen: | 16 Nov 2024-27 April 2025
St Moritz: 23 Nov 2024-4 May 2025
Zermatt: 30 Nov 2024-27 April 2025
Verbier: 7 Dec 2024-21 April 2025
Andermatt-Sedrun: 14 Dec 2024-6 April 2025
Gstaad: 14 Dec 2024-16 March 2025
Engelberg: TBC
Saas-Fee: TBC
Crans-Montana: TBC
Ski Season in Europe: What to Expect Each Month
The European ski season typically spans from late November to mid to late April.
However, the ideal timing for your skiing may vary depending on your preferences.
In December, you can expect a tranquil skiing environment with relatively less crowded slopes, which is especially advantageous for beginners and intermediates.
Skiing during the holiday season adds a festive touch to your experience, as resorts adorn their surroundings with sparkling lights and Christmas decorations.
January is renowned for its abundant snowfall and colder temperatures.
For seasoned skiers, this means the opportunity to explore more terrain, as all links between ski areas are typically open by this time.
This month is also relatively less crowded, making it an excellent choice for beginners who need ample space to practice their skiing skills.
February brings a lively atmosphere to the resorts, thanks to half-term family ski vacations.
Resorts are bustling with activities during this period, making it an enjoyable time for families.
March and April are characterised by longer daylight hours, milder temperatures and quieter slopes.
These months are perfect for those seeking a more relaxed skiing experience under the clear blue skies.
The snow tends to be softer, which is advantageous for beginners looking to improve their skills.
See here for our earlier PlanetSKI article about Maison Sport’s resort guides:
Image c/o Maison Sport
About Maison Sport
Maison Sport was created by a team of industry professionals with over 25 years of ski teaching experience.
All ex-British ski team members & fully qualified ski instructors, the founding team at Maison Sport have successfully worked together over the past 8 years.
The vision for Maison Sport was conceived after the trio acquired a traditional ski school in France, where revenue has since increased around 10 times.
Witnessing an antiquated way of booking lessons, they spotted an opportunity to solve a problem for customers and ski instructors, by using a technology platform to connect the two parties together directly.
Maison Sport offers reduced costs to the customer of as much as 50% and provides a more ethical and profitable practice for the instructors, who keep up 93% of the cost of the lessons.
Much like many successful marketplaces, one of Maison Sport’s key selling points is its unique instructor reviews, only left by past customers, which enable new customers to make informed decisions about their ski or snowboard lessons.
Currently, the Maison Sport marketplace includes more than 400 resorts and over 1,300 trusted, qualified instructors across France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria.
In France, Maison Sport’s instructor pool is second only to the Ecole de Ski Francais, a company that was founded in 1937.
