2025/2026 European Ski Season Dates

Most European ski resorts begin opening for the 2025/2026 season from mid to late November, with high-altitude and glacier resorts such as Val Thorens, Tignes, Zermatt, and Sölden among the first to welcome skiers, some even earlier. Meanwhile, many other popular resorts across France, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland open by early December, with exact dates depending on altitude, snow conditions, and resort policies. Therefore, before you book your trip, it is always best to check directly with your chosen resort for the most up-to-date opening information.

The European ski resorts with the longest seasons in 2025/2026 are Hintertux, Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Cervinia, and Val Thorens. These resorts open early and stay open well into spring, with some (like Hintertux and Zermatt) offering skiing almost all year round thanks to glacier terrain. There are several more across the Alps with similarly extended seasons, but these are among the best known for reliable long-season skiing.

Ski resorts that guarantee snow early or late in the season are typically those with glaciers or very high altitudes. The most reliable options in Europe include Hintertux, Zermatt, Sölden, Cervinia, and Saas Fee, all of which offer glacier skiing and are known for excellent conditions in both early winter (November–December) and late spring (April–May). Many more high-altitude resorts such as Tignes, Val Thorens, and Val d’Isère also have strong snow records and invest heavily in snowmaking to extend their seasons.

Yes, several ski resorts in Europe are open for summer skiing, mainly on glaciers. The most reliable summer ski areas for 2025 include Zermatt (Switzerland; open year-round), Hintertux (Austria; open year-round), Saas Fee (Switzerland; opens for summer in mid-July), Cervinia (Italy; open late June–early September and linked to Zermatt), and Tignes (France; open for summer glacier skiing from 21 June to 20 July 2025). Always check for updates, as opening dates depend on snow conditions and climate.

To find out if a ski resort has beginner, family, or advanced terrain, check the resort’s official piste map and website, which typically show the percentage and colour coding (green/blue for beginners, red for intermediates, black for advanced) of available slopes.

Yes, it’s strongly recommended to pre-book your ski transfer for early or late season dates. During these periods, transfer schedules may be more limited, certain routes or shared services might not operate daily, and booking early ensures guaranteed availability and often better rates.