Zermatt Reopens for Glacier Skiing

12th October 2026

It shut last July after the summer heatwaves took their toll. It brings the total number of glacier ski areas now open in the Alps to nine. NEW

     

The Zermatt/Cervinia glacier ski area plans to be open year-round but it was forced to close on  July 31st and has been shut ever since.

On Wednesday 14th October skiers and snowboarders will once again be able to take to the Theodul glacier after fresh snow has fallen this month and the temperatures have dropped.

‘Thanks to the extensive preparation and maintenance work carried out by our employees, Zermatt Bergbahnen will be able to resume public skiing operations from Wednesday, October 14, 2026,” said a statement from the lift company.

“From this date, the Plateau Rosa 1 and 2 ski lifts will be available to guests.

“The Matterhorn Glacier Ride II between Klein Matterhorn and Testa Grigia will also resume operations.

“Preparations are also underway to open the Plateau Rosa 3 ski lift.

“Subject to suitable conditions, this will allow the ski area to be expanded with a beginners’ area and a small selection of features in the snowpark.

“The safety of our guests and employees remains our top priority.

“The extent of the skiing and snowboarding offer will depend on the prevailing snow, weather and operating conditions.”

Zermatt Bergbahnen provides regular updates on the current status of lifts and slopes at www.matterhornparadise.ch/timetable.

Eight glacier ski area are currently open in the Alps:

  • Hintertux, Austria
  • Pitztal, Austria
  • Soelden, Austria
  • Stubai, Austria
  • Kitzsteinhorn, Austria
  • Saas-Fee, Switzerland
  • Val Senales, Italy
  • Passo Stelvio, Italy

Saas-Fee glacier in Switzerland re-opens. Image c/o Saas-Fee web camera.

Saas-Fee in Switzerland re-opens. Image c/o Saas-Fee web camera.

Kitzsteinhorn in Austria opened last Saturday.

This week the weather in the Alps will be more settled with a rise in temperatures.

No significant snow is forecast.

In Finland Levi and Ruka are open using snow stored from last winter.

In Sweden, Klappen has its snowpark open using snow from last season.

In Norway Gladhopiggen Glacier is open but only for race teams.

There has been some fresh snow in Norway leading to some good off piste conditions in places.

In North America snow fell at the weekend in Alberta in Canada with Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Marmot Basin seeing some flakes.

Tentative Opening Days:

  • November 6, 2026: Banff Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski Resort
  • November 7, 2026: Mt. Norquay

PlanetSKI’s North America reporter, Alex Cove, will be reporting from the slopes of the resorts around Banff as soon as they open.

Killington Resort in Vermont on the east coast of the USA has conducted its first major snowmaking test of the approaching season.

It ran six machines at three locations on October 6th.

The moves reflects its desire to be the first resort in the east to open.

It said it will be “fully prepared to make snow whenever temperatures become optimal.”

It has not set an opening date for 2026/27.

Winter may still be some way off, but it is getting closer by the day and our posts on PlanetSKI  are already turning to the season of 2026/27.

Ski resorts & companies are also releasing news for the coming winter:

We also have a special section on the website containing all the news for next season:

New for the 2026/27 Ski Season

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