J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

With the number of ski areas already open for the 25-26 season set to pass 50 in nine countries this weekend, Austria's Sölden is currently leading the way in terms of terrain available already, hitting 60km of slopes available this week.

Most early opening ski area have less than 5% of their slopes open so far, but Sölden, which is already nearly two months into its 25-26 season, is at more than 40%.

Currently the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise shared by Cervinia and Zermatt has the second most skiing available, including Europe's highest slopes, with 55km of runs. Banff's Sunshine ski area is probably in third place with about 40km and also the most accumulated fresh snow lying at an open area so far their autumn, more than a metre deep on its higher slopes.

Two more Austrian Glaciers, Hintertux and Stubai, make up the current top five, each posting more than 30km each.

Things tend to move quickly in the final days of November and start of December with resorts like Ischgl aiming to open with more than 100km of slopes open from day one. The giant ski areas like the 3 Valleys, 4 Valleys and Paradiski don't tend to be fully open until well into the New Year, meaning areas that are smaller can have more terrain open than they do until then, if they open all their slopes sooner.

Skiers heading to Tignes this winter can look forward to faster, smoother access to one of the resort's most legendary sectors, thanks to the launch of a new detachable 6-seater chairlift at L'Aiguille Percée.

Travelling at 6 metres per second and capable of transporting up to 2,800 skiers per hour, the lift marks a major upgrade to the Tignes le Lac and Tignes les Brévières sectors. It completes the transformation of the lift network in this area, following the replacement of the Marais chairlift in 2025.

The new lift delivers skiers directly to the dramatic Aiguille Percée rock formation — a favourite among freeriders and the star of a viral video by Candide Thovex last season. With panoramic views and access to varied terrain, it's a must-visit for those seeking both beauty and challenge.

This infrastructure boost reflects Tignes' ongoing commitment to enhancing the skier experience while preserving the natural allure of its high-altitude playground, the resort says.

Tignes will be one of the first French resorts to open for the 25-26 season, in less than a week's time on 22nd November. It plans a 163 day season through to May 3rd, 2026.

Image top: Aiguille Percee © Tignes-Developpement

They had announced one of these in Wales a year ago but think that one has gone a bit quiet :) https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/21m-surfing-snow-tunnel-attraction-30471052

Switzerland has overtaken Austria to become the country with the most ski areas open in the world at present – although its lead is expected to be short lived.

After ski areas at southern hemisphere nations began to close down in late September and seven Austrian glacier ski areas opened Austria was reporting the most ski areas through October and the start of this month.

At the weekend though, although Kitzbuhel became the eighth Austrian resort to open, Switzerland saw three more centres open, taking its tally to ten, the first in the world to reach double figures for the 25-26 season.

The newly opened Swiss centres are Arosa, Davos and Gstaad's Glacier 3000 ski area. They join already open Adelboden, Engelberg, Murren, Saas-Fee, St Moritz (Diavolezza Glacier) Verbier and Zermatt.

Andermatt will be the eleventh Swiss area to open this coming weekend.

However most Swiss areas are currently only operating at weekends through November.

It's also likely the USA will overtake Switzerland in the next few days. Despite several resorts in California and Utah delaying opening last weekend due to conditions, it reached seven areas open, mostly in Colorado, last weekend.

With colder weather in the Midwest and East leading to half-a-dozen ski areas there announcing imminent openings and more scheduled openings this weekend its likely that number will at least double, probably triple, by this coming Friday/Saturday.

Scotland's Glencoe Mountain Resort not only has great snow slopes in winter, but it also has a dry slope which was upgraded earlier this year.

Depending on need, and the time of year, the slope is used for tubing, sledging and ski lessons and this November and early December, the centre is running pre-snow-season learn to Ski and Snowboard weekends on the slope.

Suitable for beginners aged 8+, the weekends include two days of expert tuition, full equipment hire, and access to our improved dry slope with magic carpet uplift. After starting this weekend, further courses are planned for 15–16 November, 22–23 November and 6–7 December with sessions on Saturday from 11am–4pm and then Sunday from 9am–2pm.

The course costs £150 for adults £150 and £130 for juniors (8–15 yrs) which can include accommodation if required. That's as there's the option to make it a mini getaway with a free overnight stay in one of Glencoe's cosy microlodges on the Saturday night (free for bookings of two persons or more — small surcharge for single occupancy).

There are still some spaces available and the forecast is currently looking good for the possibility of a snow-covered dry slope for next weekend's learn to ski and snowboard in a weekend sessions.

OK that does sound very good... And similar scenario in other countries, usually with a more affordable lift pass as an added bonus!

Kitzbühel opens for skiing tomorrow, November 7th, the first non-glacier ski area to open in the country.

For some years now, the resort's KitzSki lift company has opened a few kilometres of terrain on some of the resort's highest slopes at Resterkogel, using snow farming – snow piled up last spring, stockpiled under cover through summer than spread back out on the slopes in the autumn as things cool, to open a run. The resort has also had some natural snowfall in late October.

Professional racing teams are reported to have already been training on the groomed pistes throughout the week, but for the weekend the public also have access. From Friday to Sunday (7–9 November), recreational skiers can take to the slope.

There will be around 20 ski areas open in the Alps this weekend, most of them thanks to high altitude glacier terrain, but Kitzbühel joins Switzerland's Murren in opening thanks to snow farming.

All open areas are in Austria, which already has seven glacier areas open, Italy and Switzerland. Only France has nowhere open yet, the first expected to be Tignes and Val Thorens in just over a fortnight's time, on November 22nd.

Lake Louise is set to become the second Canadian area to start its season early, later today.

The world famous resort, which for many years hosted the opening World Cup speed races of the annual tour in late November, had been set to be the first in the country to open, this Friday. However it's Banff neighbour Sunshine, which had planned to open this coming Saturday, instead opened nearly a week early, 48 hours ago, to claim the coveted 'first to open in Canada' title.

Both areas will be open for six months to May next year, amongst the world's longest seasons.

Lake Louise reports it has had 29 cm (almost a foot) of fresh snow from the last 48 hours.

Lake Louise's originally planned opening on Friday will still see a scheduled 'Ride in Denim' day. Skiers and riders are encouraged to exchange their Gore-Tex for blue jeans and button-ups as they choose their slope attire in the morning. There'll be discounted lift tickets for those arriving in denim and the first 100 people so dressed can score free swag from the resort's Guest Services team, located in the lower level of Whisky Jack Lodge.

"From skinny jeans to dad jeans, cut-offs to Canadian Tuxedos — if it's denim, it belongs on the mountain. Join us for a day where style outshines tech, group laps turn into fashion shows, and après is served with a side of giveaways," a resort spokesperson said.

Later this season Lake Louise will unveil Richardson's Ridge, with 200 acres of new terrain and a brand-new high-speed quad accessing it. The picture below was taken on November 3rd, 2026.