September’s Ski News in Brief
1st September 2026
-Les Menuires Invests in Snowmaking
-Indy Pass Adds More Resorts
-Thredbo Plummets in Value With Concerns About Future
-US Resort Launches Appeal After Wildfire
-FIS & IUSF Renew Agreement…NEW
Les Menuires Invests in Snowmaking
1st September 2026
Les Menuires & Saint-Martin-de-Belleville are spending €7m on improving their snowmaking systems.
The resorts in Les3Vallees believe it will improve long-term snow reliability and resilience across their joint ski area.
It is part of a wider Les3Vallees investment program for 2026/27, which includes over €10 million total in snowmaking and a €5 million overhaul of the La Tania gondola.
The upcoming winter season in Les Menuires is scheduled to run from December 5th, 2026, through April 18th, 2027.
Les Menuires, France. Image c/o Vanessa Fisher.
Related Articles:
- PlanetSKI is skiing in the Spring in Les Menuires
- Les Menuires has highest percentage of beginner runs
- Yoga and skiing in Les Menuires
Indy Pass Set to Add More Resorts
1st September 2026
There are to be 50 new resorts taking the total number of resorts on the pass to more than 300.
They are not tell us which ones, but sales of the pass begin on September 1st.
“Last spring, we sold out of Indy Passes in just 37-minutes, a clear signal that skiers and riders are hungry for affordable access to independent ski areas,” said Indy Pass Director, Erik Mogensen.
“We won’t oversell the pass and compromise the authentic experience that Indy Pass and its partners deliver.”
Erik Mogensen. Image c/o Indy Pass
The 2026/27 Indy Pass will offer more access than ever before, including two days of skiing plus a third discounted day at each of its 300+ independent ski areas worldwide.
The Indy Pass is the fastest-growing multi-mountain pass in the world.
It offers 300+ Alpine and Nordic resorts across the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, and South America, each providing two days of skiing or riding, plus a third day at a discounted rate.
Indy resorts are independent of any significant US corporate ownership, and many are owned and operated by multi-generational families.
The Indy Pass says it provides “a uniquely authentic and affordable skiing experience”.
The 25 new resorts previously announced for the 2026/27 season last spring include several in Europe :
- Bergbahnen Hohsaas AG, Switzerland
- Domaine Skiable des Contamines, France
- Les 7 Laux, France
- Levi, Finland
- Pizol, Switzerland
- Stöten i SÄlen, Sweden
- Stranda Ski Resort, Norway
PlanetSKI used the Indy Pass a couple of seasons ago as we toured some of the the lesser-known resorts in Japan.
PlanetSKI + INDY Pass. Image © PlanetSKI
FIS & IUSF Renew Agreement
1st September 2026
Who? The International Ski and Snowboard Federation and the International University Sports Federation have announced a new agreement aimed at supporting the organisation of competitions at the Universiades.
The partnership between the two organisations dates back many years and the new agreement is a step towards aligning the university sports pathway with the wider international snow sports system.
The University Games often provide many athletes with their first opportunity to experience high-level competition.
It marks the start of preparation for the transition to professional sport in the future.
The agreement also recognises the shared responsibility of both organisations in areas such as athlete development, education, integrity, sustainability, and innovation.
See here for the full details on Inside the Games.
The 33rd Winter Universiade takes place in Changchun in China from 15th-25th January 2027.
The host city has just completed an intensive 10-day on-site inspection with a FISU delegation comprising teams covering sport, security, integrated services, communications and other areas.
Changchun logo. c/o 33rd Winter Universiade.
Thredbo Resort Falls in Value Due to Climate Change
1st September 2026
The value of one of Australia’s largest ski resorts, Thredbo, has gone down by nearly $150m (£80m) amid concerns about the future of snowsports in Australia.
Hotel and entertainment corporation EVT’s annual results showed the independent valuation of Thredbo Alpine Resort in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains has dropped from $292m (£155m)to $143m.(£75m).
The report attributed the sharp decline to recent trading conditions during an “unseasonably warm” winter start this June.
The resort also needs capital investment for new chairlifts and snowmaking infrastructure.
The drop comes despite revenue from the resort being up 10% on the back of a solid 2025 snow season, with $50m (£26m)made on lift tickets.
EVT has owned the head lease of Thredbo resort, including the village, for nearly 40 years.
The lease from the NSW government runs until 2057.
See more in this earlier PlanetSKI article:
Thredbo, Australia. Image © PlanetSKI
US Resort Launches Appeal After Wildfire
1st September 2026
A third of Maverick Mountain in Montana was burnt after the Sand Creek Fire swept through earlier in the summer.
Its lift was destroyed along with equipment, but its base lodge was saved.
We reported on the fire at the time:
A $2m fundraising initiative has been launched to help rebuild.
Rather than simply restoring the mountain to its previous state, the initiative aims to address long-standing infrastructure needs while lowering long-term replacement costs.
| Rebuild Initiative | Project Specifications & Technical Logistics | Financial & Operational Impact |
| Primary Quad Lift | Install two used Poma fixed-grip quad lifts salvaged from Aspen and Jackson Hole (stored safely on-site and undamaged by fire). | ~$2.0M – $2.5Mbenchmark install vs. $4.5M for a new chairlift. |
| Lift Engineering | Requires 11,000 ft of new haul rope, a complete electrical/com-line overhaul, AC drive refurb, and 18+ towers. | ~$200,000 for haul rope; ~$500,000 for drive and electrical upgrades. |
| Lower Snowmaking | Install basic snowmaking infrastructure on the lower mountain (where none currently exists). | Ensures a reliable early-December opening and extends the seasonal calendar. |
| Secondary Short Lift | Construct a shorter lift on the mountain’s left flank providing a 5-minute lap. | Ideal for beginners, kids’ programs, and the youth race team on peak weekends. |
| Base Lodge Upgrades | Construct a separate rental shop/ticket office building; expand lodge cubbies and cafeteria. | Restores indoor seating capacity and clears downstairs gear bottlenecks. |
Follow this link to donate: friendsofmaverickmountain.org.
Wildfire in North America. Image © PlanetSKI
