October’s Ski News in Brief

1st October 2026

Man Dies in Crevasse Fall Above Zermatt
More People Visit French Mountains in the Summer
Whistler’s glaciers set to disappear
Signed Waiver Ends Collision Case in Breckenridge
Complete Food Survey To Perhaps Win VIP SKI Holiday…UPDATED

Man Dies in Crevasse Fall Above Zermatt

1st October 2026

A 55-year-old American man fell into a crevasse on Monday on the Breithorn Plateau above Zermatt and died.

The man had entered a restricted area near the Klein Matterhorn Glacier.

The accident occurred shortly after noon.

The emergency responders were alerted and launched a search operation.

A short time later, they located the man in the crevasse, but could only recover his body.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation.

The Matterhorn, Zermatt. Image © PlanetSKI

More People Visit French Mountains in the Summer

1st October 2026

New figures from Domaines Skiables de France (DSF) show resorts are attracting more and more visitors in the summer months.

From 4th July – 22^nd August the occupancy rate reached 65.8%

That’s up +2.5% on summer 2025, with a peak of 80.7% in the week of 8 August.

Across the extended season, 13th June – 11th September) the French mountains saw 52.7% occupancy.

DSF says more people are looking for cooler temperatures , so-called ‘coolcations’.

Chamonix, France. Image © PlanetSKI

Ski resorts have been expanding their summer offerings in recent years with a greater number of activities on offer.

All mountain ranges are growing: the Pyrenees confirm their status as the best-performing range (55.7%, +1.2 points, with a peak of 79.4% in August.

The Northern Alps saw 50.8%.

The Southern Alps, had 52.3%.

The summer data is sourced from G2A, which tracks, amongst other things, trends in tourism activity and occupancy rates in mountain destinations.

Studies published by G2A in 2026 provide broader confirmation of the key role played by mountain destinations and tourist groups in summer visitor numbers.

Whistler’s Glaciers Set to Disappear

1st October 2026

A new study from Simon Fraser University published in the journal, Annals of Glaciology, says three glaciers in British Columbia are going to melt completely.

The Whistler Glacier is in the worst condition and could melt within the next 10 years.

That glacier has shrunk by 95% in the last five decades.

The Horstman and Blackcombe glaciers have lost up to 75% of their area over the same period.

They could melt within 30-50 years.

Melting glaciers in British Columbia. Image c/o
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout – Simon Fraser University.

Lead researcher, Chloé Monty, says glaciers have been retreating globally due to climate change, but it was still shocking to see the extent of the shrinkage seen in the three B.C. glaciers based on image comparisons.

She says there’s nothing that can be done to save those glaciers from extinction but it’s not too late to prevent the larger glaciers in BC and Canada from disappearing.

See more on CTV News

Retreating glaciers in British Columbia, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI

Signed Waiver Ends Collision Case in Breckenridge

1st October 2026

The Colorado Supreme Court has dismissed the case of a snowboarder involved in a snowmobile crash at the resort because he later signed a waiver for a season ski pass.

In December 2020, John Litterer was snowboarding at Breckenridge resort, owned by Vail Resorts, and a snowmobile collided with him.

Litterer sued Vail Resorts, but because he later bought an Epic Pass for the 2022-23 ski season, judges ruled that Litterer waived all his existing claims.

It was a 4-3 vote by the court.

The 2022-23 waiver included on the back of the Epic Pass read:

“I further release and give up any and all claims and rights that I may now have against any released party and understand this releases all claims, including those of which I am not aware, those not mentioned in this release and those resulting from anything which has happened up to now.”

Litterer ids said to be “bitterly disappointed” and Val Resorts is expected to persue him for costs of $60,000.

Complete Food Survey for Chance To Win VIP SKI Holiday

1st October 2026

VIP SKI is exploring how food fits into the ski holiday experience.

From how much it influences where guests choose to stay, through to mountain lunches, chalet dinners, and the little things they look forward to after a day on the slopes.