Thursday 17th May 2012

European Ski Resort Season Open Dates 2011-2012

The ski season is closing fast and we’re all looking for a great season of endless white powder. Most of the major resorts look to be opening in the first week of December this years with a few exceptions.
Chamonix (France) has already received substantial snowfall. The official resort open is the first week of December, but the area will be open for the last two weekends in November if snow conditions permit.
Resorts opening during the last week of November include Patscherkofel – Igls (Innsbruck, Austria) and Schmitten – Zell am See (Salzburg, Austria).

Best European Ski Resorts for Early Snow

If you’re planning a ski trip for this coming season, there is a great article in the Guardian UK which lists the top 10 ski resorts for early snow. Of the top 10 ski resorts, the first 8 listed are European:

  1. Val Thorens, France
  2. Chamonix, France
  3. Ischgl, Austria
  4. Tignes, France
  5. Hintertux, Austria
  6. Breuil-Cervina, Italy
  7. Obergurgl, Austria
  8. Saas Fee, Switzerland
You can read more about these resorts on the SkiEurope website:
http://www.ski-europe.com/
Read the full article here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/sep/27/skiing.top10