But all good things come to those who wait... Even if there have already been heavy snowfalls in the European mountains, there is a lot of work that needs to take place to prepare the ski slopes, ski lift network and the ski resort itself before most of us get a chance to get up on the slopes!
Ever wondered why ski resorts don’t open as soon as the first heavy snowfalls arrive? Well it’s all a question of organisation. The ski resorts have to have fixed opening and closing dates because unlike other towns and villages which have activity all year round, ski resorts have not only the huge influx of seasonal tourists to deal with but also the mountains need preparing! From ski instructors to ski lift technicians, these seasonal workers who practically manage the ski season from A to Z, need to know when their seasonal contracts start and finish. Everyone must work quickly and in harmony to make sure everything is up and running in time for the first arrivals!
Every year a few high altitude resorts (particularly in France) get organized and open for a short period before the official winter season starts! Les Deux Alpes, for example, opened this year for the weekend of the 27th and 28th of October for their annual 'Enjoy the Glacier' event which includes skate and snowboard contests, the chance to try out the latest equipment, the possibility to meet the pro's in a lively atmosphere with music and BBQs and live DJs in the bars in the evening… To note in your diary for next year…! And don’t worry we’ll inform you well in advance of any similarly exciting events…
If temperatures and snowpack permit - and the conditions are already looking very promising - the earliest official ski resort opening dates are mostly in the first and second weeks of December. Read our related article announcing official opening dates. So if you just can’t wait any longer, then there will be some fantastic early season skiing to be had this year. Check our Top 50 list to find out where the snow is falling!
But all good things come to those who wait... Even if there have already been heavy snowfalls in the European mountains, there is a lot of work that needs to take place to prepare the ski slopes, ski lift network and the ski resort itself before most of us get a chance to get up on the slopes!
Ever wondered why ski resorts don’t open as soon as the first heavy snowfalls arrive? Well it’s all a question of organisation. The ski resorts have to have fixed opening and closing dates because unlike other towns and villages which have activity all year round, ski resorts have not only the huge influx of seasonal tourists to deal with but also the mountains need preparing! From ski instructors to ski lift technicians, these seasonal workers who practically manage the ski season from A to Z, need to know when their seasonal contracts start and finish. Everyone must work quickly and in harmony to make sure everything is up and running in time for the first arrivals!
Every year a few high altitude resorts (particularly in France) get organized and open for a short period before the official winter season starts! Les Deux Alpes, for example, opened this year for the weekend of the 27th and 28th of October for their annual 'Enjoy the Glacier' event which includes skate and snowboard contests, the chance to try out the latest equipment, the possibility to meet the pro's in a lively atmosphere with music and BBQs and live DJs in the bars in the evening… To note in your diary for next year…! And don’t worry we’ll inform you well in advance of any similarly exciting events…
If temperatures and snowpack permit - and the conditions are already looking very promising - the earliest official ski resort opening dates are mostly in the first and second weeks of December. Read our related article announcing official opening dates. So if you just can’t wait any longer, then there will be some fantastic early season skiing to be had this year. Check our Top 50 list to find out where the snow is falling!
Being lucky enough to have parents who were crazy about skiing, my love for the mountains started when I was 4 years old on our first family ski holiday to Austrian ski resort of Obergurl. One ski holiday a year was never enough and tears rolled down my face as I looked out the back window of the car on the drive down the valley on the way home!
