Industry News
Have the recent pictures of the snowstorm wet your appetite for the 2024-25 season?
If you are wondering where you can ski right now, or very soon, we have assembled a list for our European readers of all the resorts open or opening in September.
Switzerland
Home to the iconic Matterhorn, Zermatt offers year-round skiing on the Theodul Glacier. Skiers can enjoy breathtaking views while gliding down the slopes in the warm summer sun. Zermatt is typically a training base for the world’s elite speed skiers, but this year, the resort decided to only open for youth athletes and clubs and recreational skiing. The ski area on the Theodul Glacier offers 11 kilometers (7 miles) of groomed runs.
Saas-Fee has been open to the public for summer skiing since July 8. Saas Fee offers 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) of groomed runs for summer skiing and boarding and the resort is slated to stay open until October 31. Saas-Fee is home to the highest rotating restaurant in the world at an altitude of 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) at the foot of Allalin Peak. Allalin reaches a peak altitude of 4,027 meters (13,212 feet).
Austria
Hintertux Glacier halted summer skiing for a couple of weeks but reopened on September 18 after the recent snowfalls. The Hintertux Glacier ski area currently has 17 kilometers (11 miles) of its total 60 kilometers (37 miles) open. At the moment seven of the resort’s 19 lifts are operating. Keep in mind that the availability of lifts may change depending on weather conditions.
Stubai has decided to bring its season-opening forward after the recent snowfall, and the glacier at Stubai will open this coming weekend, September 20.
Exciting news came out of Austria while writing this piece, as Sölden announced that it will open its glacier ski area on Friday, September 20. The Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden is at an altitude of 2,670 meters (8,760 feet).
Pitztal season opening is set for September 28. The Pitztal Glacier is Tyrol’s highest glacier. If you buy your ski ticket online now, you can get up to 30% discount.
Hochkeil in the Hochkönig ski area is operating a J-bar until this Sunday, September 22, thanks to the monster snowfall from last weekend. How long the ski area will remain open is unclear, so please check the resort’s social media before heading out.
Italy
Val Senales/Schnalstal Glacier
The Schnalstal Glacier in South Tyrol will open for skiing on Friday, September 20. The glacier ski resort not only offers downhill skiing from September to May each year but also a 10-kilometer (6-mile) cross-country circuit known as the Giogo Alto/Hochjoch high-altitude trail, which is open from September to mid-December.
On the Italian side of the Matterhorn, or Cervino as the Italians call it, lies Breuil-Cervinia. Skiers and boarders can access the Theodul Glacier via the Plan Maison and Plateau Rosa cable car from Italy. The ski area on the Theodul Glacier offers 11 kilometers (7 miles) of groomed runs.
The Passo Stelvio ski area is the only summer-only ski area in the Alps—the other three European summer-only ski areas are in Norway. The road to the ski area, the Stelvio Pass which connects the Upper Valtellina with South Tyrol, is only open for cars in summer. The ski area offers skiing from 9,049 ft (2,758m) to 11,319 ft (3,450m) and offers 20 kilometers (12 miles) of groomed slopes. Passo Stelvio will close for the season on November 3.
With many Austrian ski areas opening early, it is time to get pumped for the 2024-25 season. Keep tuned as we will update the article should more announcements be made in the coming days.
