Ski Resort in the Alps Re-Opens for Skiing
29th August 2026
Last modified on September 6th, 2026
Passo Stelvio in Italy has fired up its lifts again after the temperatures fell. In North America the first snow has fallen. UPDATE
The glacier at Passo Stelvio reopened for skiing on Friday as the recent warm temperatures turned colder.
The ski lifts run from 06.30 – 12.00.
“Following the drop in temperatures, the facilities will reopen,” said a statement from the resort.
It was forced to close on August 15th after the conditions deteriorated and it was deemed ‘unsafe’.
The resort says it is aiming to remain open until its planned closing date of November 1st.
“Ironically, it has just turned hot again in the Alps. Exceptionally so in the western Alps, where temperatures will hit the mid 30°Cs in some lower valleys over the next few days,” said Fraser Wilkin from weathertoski.co.uk.
“Towards the second half of next week, the weather in the Alps will turn a bit cooler and more unsettled, but for how long is uncertain, as the heat won’t ever be far way.”
At the end of September there was up to 10cm of fresh snow with sub-freezing temperatures on the glaciers.
This summer has seen the freezing level above 4,000m for extended periods with all the glacier ski areas remaining closed for the first time in six decades:
It has been a poor summer for skiing in the Alps, and it is questionable how many years of the activity remain.
Earlier all the summer glacier ski areas that should be open at this time of year remain closed:
- Zermatt/Cervinia
- Saas-Fee
- Passo Stelvio
Pass Stelvio, Italy. Photo: pirovano.it, 15 August 2026
Here was the Grand Motte glacier in Tignes in July.
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Four Austrian glacier resorts are planning to open later in September – Hintertux, Kaunertal, Piztal and Soelden.
Opening depends on the snow conditions.
One resort in the Alps has already held its first skiing event.
Livigno in Italy has held its annual ‘Gara da li Contrada’ cross-country ski event.
It was the 44th edition of the event and sees snow stored from the previous winter laid down in a pedestrian area in the centre of town.
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There was a 1km sprint that attracted some top Nordic skiers.
There were freestyle and snowboard aerial demonstrations, and live music.
Plus, the very popular all-comers race with competitors dressing in historic skiwear.
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See more images from Livigno here:
In Norway Gladhøpiggen, Scandinavia’s only summer ski area, remains shut though a reopening is expected later in September.
In Canada Sunshine Village near Banff in Alberta saw its first fall of snow last weekend.
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The snow has been falling in Kicking Horse in British Columbia too.
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In the USA, Loveland in Colorado, has posted that it expects to start snow making in less than 40-days.
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And it seems there has been some snow in Colorado.
Just!:
In a further sign that winter is on its way Vail Resorts has announced the opening dates for its ski areas:
While Crystal Mountain in the state of Washington is the first resort in the USA to claim some snowfall.
“Most of the snowfall was concentrated across Crystal’s upper elevations,” said a statement from the resort.
“The snow was enough to stick and remains visible across the high alpine this morning, giving the mountain its first real hint of winter.”
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Winter may still be a long way off, but it is getting closer by the day and our thoughts are already turning to the season of 2026/27.
Here is the current state of play in the southern hemisphere:
- Another ski resort in Chile extends its season after record-breaking snow
- Some ski resorts in Australia close early as snow deterioratates
The Andes. Image © PlanetSKI
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