Ski resort opening dates for 2026 run from early October on the glaciers to the third week of December in the lower Alps. Of the 99 resorts whose 2026/27 dates are in Project Powder's season data, 13 had opened by 13 November 2026, led by Sölden on 9 October. Most of Japan, the Alps and western North America follow between late November and mid-December.
These are the dates resorts have announced, as reported by the resorts and local ski media. Opening days always depend on snow, and this winter's El Niño snow outlook makes that more true than usual, so check the resort's page before you travel. Each resort page on Project Powder shows its season dates, a countdown to opening day and a snow forecast for the base and summit.
How the 2026/27 season opens
Resorts open, of the 99 with announced dates, week by week
Source: Project Powder season data, from resort announcements
Show the data
| Date | Value |
|---|---|
| 1 Oct | 0 |
| 8 Oct | 0 |
| 15 Oct | 1 |
| 22 Oct | 2 |
| 29 Oct | 4 |
| 5 Nov | 6 |
| 12 Nov | 11 |
| 19 Nov | 14 |
| 26 Nov | 26 |
| 3 Dec | 48 |
| 10 Dec | 75 |
| 17 Dec | 92 |
| 24 Dec | 99 |
Ski resort opening dates 2026 by country
Countries are in order of their first opening. "Opened" means the resort had opened by 13 November 2026, according to its announced date.
Austria
- Sölden: opened 9 October, until 2 May
- Kaunertal Glacier: opened 17 October
- Kitzbühel: opened 6 November, until 4 April
- Obergurgl-Hochgurgl: opens 19 November
- Ischgl-Silvretta Arena: opens 26 November, until 2 May
- Gastein: opens 27 November
- Obertauern: opens 27 November
- Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn: opens 27 November
- Schladming: opens 28 November
- Snow Space Salzburg: opens 28 November
- Ski Arlberg: opens 2 December
- Mayrhofen: opens 4 December
- Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis: opens 4 December
- Zell am See – Schmitten: opens 4 December
- Zillertal Arena: opens 4 December
USA
- Arapahoe Basin Ski Area: opened 28 October
- Keystone Resort: opened 30 October
- Breckenridge: opened 6 November
- Copper Mountain: opened 6 November
- Vail: opened 13 November
- Park City: opens 20 November
- Snowbird: opens 27 November
- Deer Valley Resort: opens 5 December
Switzerland
- Engelberg Titlis: opened 29 October
- Zermatt-Matterhorn Ski Paradise: opened 1 November
- Davos Klosters: opened 13 November, until 11 April
- Corvatsch/Furtschellas: opens 21 November
- Grindelwald-Wengen: opens 21 November
- Samnaun-Silvretta Arena: opens 26 November, until 2 May
- Arosa Lenzerheide: opens 28 November
- St. Moritz-Corviglia: opens 28 November
- Anzère: opens 4 December
- 4 Vallées: opens 5 December
- Aletsch Arena: opens 5 December
- Savognin: opens 5 December
- Les Portes du Soleil: opens 11 December, until 18 April
- Andermatt Sedrun: opens 12 December
- Scuol: opens 12 December
- Grimentz-Zinal: opens 18 December
- Obersaxen Mundaun: opens 18 December
- Crans Montana: opens 19 December
- Soerenberg: opens 19 December
Canada
- Lake Louise: opened 6 November
- Sunshine Village: opened 6 November
- Whistler Blackcomb: opens 20 November
- Sun Peaks: opens 21 November, until 4 April
- Big White: opens 26 November
- Silver Star: opens 27 November
- Panorama: opens 4 December
- Revelstoke: opens 5 December
- Red Mountain: opens 12 December
France
- Les 3 Vallées: opens 21 November, until 2 May
- Tignes: opens 21 November, until 2 May
- Les 2 Alpes: opens 28 November, until 2 May
- Saint-Lary Soulan: opens 4 December, until 29 March
- Alpe d’Huez: opens 5 December, until 25 April
- Auron: opens 5 December, until 10 April
- Ax 3 Domaines: opens 5 December, until 29 March
- Chamrousse: opens 5 December, until 11 April
- Espace Diamant: opens 5 December
- Grand Massif: opens 5 December, until 18 April
- Grand Tourmalet: opens 5 December, until 29 March
- Isola 2000: opens 5 December
- Les Orres: opens 5 December, until 11 April
- Risoul-La Forêt Blanche: opens 5 December, until 11 April
- Serre Chevalier: opens 5 December, until 18 April
- Vars-La Forêt Blanche: opens 5 December, until 11 April
- Galibier Thabor: opens 12 December, until 11 April
- La Clusaz: opens 12 December, until 25 April
- La Plagne: opens 12 December, until 24 April
- Le Dévoluy: opens 12 December, until 11 April
- Le Grand Bornand: opens 12 December, until 11 April
- Les Arcs: opens 12 December, until 24 April
- Les Contamines Montjoie: opens 12 December, until 10 April
- Les Sybelles: opens 12 December, until 9 April
- Orcières Merlette 1850: opens 12 December, until 11 April
- Pra Loup: opens 12 December, until 4 April
- Puy Saint Vincent: opens 12 December, until 11 April
- Val Cenis: opens 12 December, until 16 April
- Villard Corrençon – Villard-de-Lans: opens 13 December, until 29 March
- Les 7 Laux: opens 19 December, until 29 March
- Megeve: opens 19 December, until 4 April
- Valmorel: opens 19 December, until 10 April
Japan
- Hakuba: opens 21 November, until 5 May
- Furano: opens 28 November, until 5 May
- Kiroro: opens 28 November, until 5 May
- Niseko: opens 28 November, until 5 May
- Nozawa Onsen: opens 28 November
- Rusutsu: opens 28 November
- Tomamu: opens 1 December, until 5 April
- Appi Kogen: opens 5 December
- Shiga Kogen: opens 5 December
Italy
- Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta: opens 21 November, until 4 April
- La Thuile: opens 28 November, until 11 April
- Livigno: opens 28 November, until 2 May
- Monterosa: opens 28 November, until 11 April
- Ponte di Legno: opens 28 November, until 2 May
- San Pellegrino Ski Area: opens 28 November, until 4 April
- Riserva Bianca Limone Piemonte: opens 4 December, until 4 April
Not listed?
Resorts that haven't announced a date aren't listed; we add them as they do. Korean resorts usually open in late November or December, once nights are cold enough for snowmaking. In Australia, New Zealand and South America, the 2027 season usually starts in June: see our Australian ski season 2026 review. Spotted a date that's changed? Let us know.
Questions people ask
When do Japan ski resorts open in 2026?
Japan's ski resorts open from 21 November 2026, when Hakuba is due to start, according to the resorts' announced dates. Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Furano and Nozawa Onsen follow on 28 November, and all nine Japanese resorts in our season data are due open by 5 December 2026.
When does Niseko open in 2026?
Niseko's 2026/27 season is due to open on 28 November 2026, snow permitting, according to the resort's announced date. The Niseko snow forecast shows what's on the way.
When do Colorado ski resorts open?
Colorado's ski season opened on 28 October 2026 at Arapahoe Basin, according to the resorts' announced dates. Keystone followed on 30 October, Breckenridge and Copper Mountain on 6 November, and Vail on 13 November.
When do ski resorts in the Alps open?
Glacier resorts in the Alps open first: Sölden in Austria opened on 9 October 2026. Most Alpine resorts open between late November and the third week of December, from Tignes and Les 3 Vallées on 21 November to Megève and Crans-Montana on 19 December 2026.