The 2026/27 Ski Season Calendar: When Each Resort Opens and Closes

Planning your 2026/27 ski season? This guide covers expected opening and closing dates across Europe, North America, and beyond. Most resorts announce exact dates in September or October, but historical patterns give us reliable estimates months in advance. If you have skied a few seasons, you already know the rhythm: glaciers open first, high-altitude resorts follow in November, and the majority of the ski world is running by early December. We update this page as dates are confirmed throughout the summer and fall.

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Glacier resorts: open first

A handful of resorts operate on glaciers high enough to hold snow through the shoulder months — and in two cases, year-round. These are the resorts that let you ski in October while the rest of the Alps is still green.

Hintertux (Austria) is one of two European resorts that typically operates 365 days a year. The glacier sits between 6,560 feet and 10,660 feet (2,000m to 3,250m) and maintains rideable terrain even in summer, though conditions are best from October onward. It is included on the Epic Pass.

Zermatt (Switzerland) is the other year-round option, with the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise reaching 12,740 feet (3,883m) — the highest lift-served skiing in Europe. Summer skiing here runs on a reduced schedule, but the full resort typically opens in mid-November. Zermatt connects directly into Cervinia on the Italian side, forming one of the largest high-altitude ski areas in the world.

Tignes (France) opens its Grande Motte glacier most years in early to mid-October. The glacier terrain is limited — a few runs above 11,000 feet (3,350m) — but it signals the start of the French season. The full Tignes and Val d'Isere ski area typically follows in late November.

Stubai and Solden (Austria) both aim for late September or early October openings. Solden traditionally hosts the FIS Alpine World Cup opener in late October, which means its glacier terrain is groomed and ready well before most resorts have seen their first snowfall.

Val Thorens is the earliest major non-glacier resort in France, typically opening in mid-November. Its 7,545-foot (2,300m) base altitude — the highest of any major resort in Europe — gives it a meaningful head start on snow accumulation.

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Europe: expected opening dates by country

The dates below are based on historical averages. Exact dates will be confirmed by each resort between September and November 2026. We will update this table as announcements are made.

Austria

Resort	Expected Opening	Expected Closing
Hintertux	Year-round	Year-round
Solden	Late September	Early May
Stubai Glacier	Early October	Early June
Kitzbuhel	Late October (partial) / Early December (full)	Early April
Ischgl	Late November	Early May
St Anton	Early December	Late April
Lech-Zurs	Early December	Mid-April
Saalbach	Early December	Mid-April

Austria has one of the longest seasons in Europe thanks to its glacier resorts. Ischgl is worth noting for its late closing — typically the last weekend of April or first weekend of May — celebrated with a massive closing concert that draws thousands.

France

Resort	Expected Opening	Expected Closing
Val Thorens	Mid-November	Early May
Tignes (glacier)	Early October	Mid-May
Val d'Isere	Late November	Early May
Chamonix	Early December	Late April
Meribel	Early December	Mid-April
Les Arcs	Mid-December	Late April

French resorts tend to open later than their Austrian and Swiss counterparts but close later too, especially the high-altitude Tarentaise resorts. Val Thorens and the Espace Killy (Tignes/Val d'Isere) are the most reliable early-season options in France.

Switzerland

Resort	Expected Opening	Expected Closing
Zermatt	Year-round	Year-round
Verbier	Mid-November	Mid-April
St Moritz	Late November	Mid-April
Grindelwald-Wengen	Late November	Mid-April
Davos-Klosters	Mid-November	Mid-April

Swiss resorts are generally the most expensive in Europe, but their infrastructure and grooming standards justify the premium. Verbier and Davos often open ahead of schedule when early-season snowfall cooperates.

Italy

Resort	Expected Opening	Expected Closing
Cervinia	Late October	Early May
Val Gardena	Early December	Mid-April
Cortina d'Ampezzo	Late November	Mid-April
Livigno	Late November	Late April

Cervinia benefits from its connection to Zermatt's glacier, giving it one of the earliest openings of any non-glacier resort. Livigno's duty-free status and high altitude (5,960 feet / 1,816m base) make it a strong late-season option at a lower price point than the French and Swiss alternatives.

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North America: expected opening dates

North American resorts follow a slightly different rhythm. The earliest openers rely on snowmaking and high altitude rather than glaciers, and the season tends to start two to four weeks later than in the Alps.

Colorado

Resort	Expected Opening	Expected Closing
Arapahoe Basin	Mid-October	Early June
Keystone	Early November	Mid-April
Vail	Mid-November	Mid-April
Breckenridge	Mid-November	Late May
Aspen Snowmass	Late November	Mid-April

Arapahoe Basin is almost always the first resort in Colorado to open and among the last to close. Its 13,050-foot (3,978m) summit and north-facing exposure give it a natural advantage. Breckenridge also tends to extend well into late spring.

Utah

Resort	Expected Opening	Expected Closing
Alta	Mid-November	Mid-April
Snowbird	Mid-November	Late May
Park City	Late November	Mid-April

Snowbird consistently runs the longest season in Utah, often extending into Memorial Day weekend or beyond depending on snowpack. The combination of 500+ inches of average annual snowfall and a 11,000-foot (3,353m) summit makes it one of the most snow-reliable resorts in North America.

California, Pacific Northwest, and Northeast

Resort	Expected Opening	Expected Closing
Mammoth Mountain	Early November	June+
Palisades Tahoe	Late November	Mid-April
Northstar	Late November	Mid-April
Whistler Blackcomb	Late November	Late May
Killington	Mid-October (partial)	Late April
Stowe	Late November	Mid-April

Killington and Arapahoe Basin compete each year for the title of first resort to open in North America. Killington's aggressive snowmaking operation routinely gets a handful of trails open by mid-October. Mammoth Mountain, if snow cooperates, sometimes stays open into July — the longest season in the Lower 48.

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Southern Hemisphere 2026

The 2026 Southern Hemisphere season ran from approximately June through October. If you missed it, here is the overview for context — and to help you plan for 2027.

New Zealand: Queenstown's The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Cardrona typically operate from mid-June through mid-October. New Zealand offers the closest experience to European resort skiing in the Southern Hemisphere, with well-groomed trails and modern lift infrastructure.

Argentina: Bariloche (Cerro Catedral) and Las Lenas are the two major options. Las Lenas is the serious terrain choice — steep chutes, big mountain skiing, limited grooming. Bariloche is the more accessible, family-oriented resort. Both operate from mid-June through early October. See our Bariloche vs Las Lenas comparison for details.

Chile: Portillo and Valle Nevado anchor the Chilean season, typically mid-June through early October. Valle Nevado sits close enough to Santiago for day trips. Portillo is the more isolated, boutique experience. Our Chile complete guide covers the full picture.

For a deeper look, see our Southern Hemisphere season overview and best time to ski South America.

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Key holiday periods to know

Timing your trip around peak periods is the single biggest factor in how much you pay and how crowded the slopes are. Here are the dates that matter for 2026/27.

Christmas and New Year (December 20 - January 3): The busiest and most expensive two weeks of the season across every major ski region. Accommodation prices double or triple compared to early January. Lift lines are at their worst. If you have flexibility, avoid this window entirely.

Early January (January 4-17, 2027): One of the best value windows of the season. Schools are back in session, holiday crowds have left, and snow conditions in January are typically excellent. This is Mountain Marker's top recommendation for value-conscious skiers.

US Presidents' Day weekend (February 13-16, 2027): A mini peak in North American resorts. Less impact on European resorts, though some do see increased American visitors.

UK February half-term (mid-February 2027): This is the single biggest demand driver in European resorts. Exact dates vary by UK region but typically fall in the third week of February. French resorts are especially affected — expect sold-out accommodation and higher prices across the Tarentaise valley. European school holidays stagger across February and March by country, creating rolling peaks.

Easter 2027 (March 28): Easter falls relatively early in 2027, which means it overlaps with the tail end of the main season rather than extending into April closures. Expect a late-March peak in both European and North American resorts, followed by quieter conditions in April.

Best value weeks: Early January (post-New Year), late January, and the second half of March after European school holidays end. These windows offer strong snow, shorter lift lines, and accommodation prices 30 to 50 percent below peak.

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When resorts close

Most European resorts wrap up their seasons in mid-April. The terrain at lower elevations loses its snow cover, and visitor numbers drop to the point where running lifts is no longer economical. But there are meaningful exceptions.

Late closers in Europe: Val Thorens and Ischgl typically run to late April or early May. Zermatt and Hintertux operate year-round. The Stubai Glacier in Austria often stays open into early June.

North America: Most resorts close by mid-April. Snowbird, Breckenridge, and Arapahoe Basin are the most consistent late-season holdouts in the Rockies. Mammoth Mountain in California regularly operates into June and occasionally into July. Whistler Blackcomb keeps its upper alpine open through late May in most years.

The takeaway: If you want to ski in May, your European options are glaciers. If you want to ski in June, look to Mammoth or plan ahead for the Southern Hemisphere season.

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This guide is part of Mountain Marker's 2026/27 season planning series. For resort recommendations, see Where to Ski 2026/27. For deals and booking strategy, see Planning Your 2026/27 Ski Season. We update this calendar as resorts confirm their dates — check back in September and October for confirmed openings.