Opening dates of the stations 2026 2027

What are the opening dates for the 2026/2027 season? Every autumn, the same question comes up among ski enthusiasts. Some want to take advantage of the first snows as early as November. Others are preparing for their Christmas holidays or simply want to know how long they can ski in the spring.

For the Ski season 2026-2027, The first openings are scheduled as early as November 21, 2026. The large French estates will then gradually open up between late November and December.

However, an announced opening date does not always mean that 100 % of the slopes will be accessible. Operators adjust the opening of sectors and lifts to snow conditions, weather conditions, and safety requirements.

Here are the Main opening dates for French ski resorts for the winter of 2026-2027, Based on the information provided by the ski resorts and ski areas.

Last update: September 2026. The dates indicated may change. Before your departure, always check the opening conditions directly with the relevant station.

Calendar of opening times of the main ski resorts in 2026-2027

* Some opening dates and arrangements may still change. An opening may also be gradual or partial.

What are the first ski resorts to open in France in 2026?

The most impatient skiers will have to look towards the high-altitude areas.

Tignes: opening from November 21, 2026

Tignes is once again among the first major French ski resorts to launch its season.

The gradual opening of the ski area is announced for November 21, 2026, thanks in particular to the altitude sector and the Grande Motte glacier.

The connection between the Tignes and Val d’Isère areas must then be opened gradually starting from November 28, 2026.

The season is scheduled to run until May 2, 2027, subject to snow conditions. With its slopes located at altitudes of up to 3,400 meters, Tignes naturally enjoys a particularly long season.

Val Thorens: the event on November 21, 2026

Val Thorens is also among the first stations to open its ski lifts.

For the winter season 2026-2027, the opening of the Val Thorens – Orelle resort is scheduled for November 21, 2026.

The resort is organizing its traditional Grand Premiere on this occasion, a weekend dedicated to the return of skiing and the testing of equipment.

The Val Thorens – Orelle resort must remain accessible until May 2, 2027. However, all of the 3 Vallées will open later, from December 5, 2026 to April 18, 2027.

Val d’Isère: opening on November 28, 2026

Val d’Isère will launch its winter season on November 28, 2026.

Its altitude and the configuration of the area generally allow for a long ski season. For the winter of 2026-2027, the closure is scheduled for May 2, 2027.

Starting on November 28, the gradual opening of the area connected to Tignes should also allow for enjoying a particularly spacious playing field at the beginning of the season.

Les 2 Alpes: the start of the season on November 28

Les 2 Alpes is also one of the destinations to watch out for when it comes to skiing early in the morning.

The winter season is scheduled to begin on November 28, 2026, and to continue until May 2, 2027.

The estate has an important altitude zone that reaches nearly 3,600 meters. This characteristic is a real advantage at the beginning and end of the season.

The major resorts that open in early December

After the first openings in November, the first weekend in December traditionally marks a significant acceleration.

Many large alpine resorts then launch their season.

Courchevel: opening on December 4, 2026

Courchevel plans to host skiers from December 4, 2026 to April 18, 2027.

The resort then allows access to the 3 Vallées area, the general opening of which is announced starting December 5.
Méribel: opening on December 5

In the heart of the 3 Vallées, Méribel plans to open its resort from December 5, 2026, to April 18, 2027.

Its central location makes it easy to access the various sectors of the connected area, notably Courchevel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens when the connections are open.

Alpe d’Huez: opening in early December

The Alpe d’Huez resort plans a season that runs from December 5, 2026, to April 25, 2027.

Its altitude and the diversity of its sectors make it possible to offer both accessible areas for beginners and long descents for more experienced skiers.

Serre Chevalier: opening on December 5

In the Southern Alps, Serre Chevalier plans to open continuously from December 5, 2026, to April 18, 2027.

The opening will be gradual, however. The sectors of Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Monêtier are scheduled to open as early as December 5. The sector of Briançon will follow from December 12.

With approximately 250 km of slopes, Serre Chevalier is one of the main ski areas in the Southern Alps.

Les Saisies: a preview on December 5th and 6th

Les Saisies offers a slightly different calendar.

A first Alpine ski weekend is scheduled for December 5 and 6, 2026. After that, the continuous opening of the Saisies resort will begin on December 12 and will continue until April 10, 2027.

The Diamond Space will open from December 19, 2026, to April 3, 2027.

Nordic skiing enthusiasts will even be able to experience snow earlier. A prepared track thanks to snowfarming is set to open as early as November 11, 2026, subject to the conditions set by the resort.

The stations that will open from December 11 and 12

The second weekend of December marks the opening of a new wave of domains.

Avoriaz: opening date December 11, 2026

Avoriaz plans to open its resort from December 11, 2026, to April 18, 2027.

Located at an altitude of approximately 1,800 meters, the resort occupies a strategic position in the heart of the Portes du Soleil. Its altitude generally allows it to offer a longer season than some neighboring sectors located lower down.

Les Arcs: opening date December 12, 2026

The Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry resort will be open from December 12, 2026, to April 24, 2027.

It then provides access to the Paradiski domain thanks to the connection with La Plagne. The entire Paradiski area represents approximately 425 km of slopes.

La Plagne: opening date: December 12, 2026

La Plagne also plans to launch its season on December 12, 2026.

The main sectors must remain open until April 24, 2027, while some areas may have slightly different schedules.

The opening of the Paradiski linked domain is announced from December 12, 2026 to April 17, 2027.

La Toussuire: opening date: December 12, 2026

In the heart of the Sybelles, La Toussuire announces its winter season from December 12, 2026, to April 9, 2027.

The station is one of the main access points to the Sybelles and allows access to the various sectors of the resort when the links are open.

Val Cenis: opening in mid-December

Val Cenis also plans to launch it around the weekend of December 12 and 13, 2026.

The station is organizing its «All On Track» opening event on December 12 and 13.

According to the information published by the destination, the operation of the domain may be gradual during the first few days. The closure is scheduled for April 16, 2027.

Morzine and the Portes du Soleil: several dates to keep in mind

Different sectors must be distinguished when talking about Morzine and the Portes du Soleil.

The Morzine – Les Gets resort plans to open from December 19, 2026 to April 4, 2027.

By contrast, Avoriaz opens earlier, as early as December 11, 2026, and must remain accessible until April 18, 2027.

From Morzine, skiers can reach the Avoriaz area, especially thanks to the Super Morzine lifts or the Prodains lifts when they are operational.

Thus, looking solely at the opening date of «Morzine» can be misleading. Within the large connected areas, each sector may have its own calendar.

Can you ski in France as early as November?

Yes. Several major French ski resorts will offer skiing from November 2026 onwards.

The four main destinations to keep in mind are:

Tignes: November 21, 2026
Val Thorens: November 21, 2026
Val d’Isère: November 28, 2026
Les 2 Alpes: November 28, 2026

However, skiing in November requires more flexibility than in the middle of winter.

Ski resorts may start by opening only their highest sectors. Some slopes or connections will then remain closed.

Therefore, do not rely solely on the official date. Also check the number of slopes and lifts that are actually accessible before setting off.

Why do altitude stations open earlier?

Altitude plays a major role in the duration of a ski season.

When temperatures drop in autumn, precipitation falls more easily in the form of snow at higher altitudes. The lower temperatures also favor the preservation of the snowpack.

That is why resorts like Tignes, Val Thorens, Val d’Isère and Les 2 Alpes regularly feature among the top French destinations to open.

However, altitude does not explain everything.

The direction of the slopes, exposure to the sun, natural precipitation, wind, and snow-making equipment also influence the opening conditions.

Does a station opening date mean that the entire area is open?

No.

This is an important distinction when preparing a stay at the beginning of the season.

A station may announce an opening on Saturday, December 5, when only part of the resort is accessible.

Operators are gradually opening up the sectors as soon as conditions allow to guarantee the safety of skiers.

Thus, three pieces of information must be verified before your departure:

• the date of the station’s official opening; ;
• the number of lifts open; ;
• the number and type of accessible slopes.

It is also necessary to check the connections between stations. A station may be open while the connection with the neighboring domain remains temporarily closed.

Which stations will remain open the longest in the spring of 2027?

Spring ski enthusiasts also have great opportunities.

Among the major resorts mentioned in this guide, Tignes, Val Thorens, Val d’Isère and Les 2 Alpes announce a closure around May 2, 2027.

Alpe d'Huez also plans to continue its season until April 25, while Les Arcs is scheduled to remain open until April 24.

These long seasons are mainly explained by the high altitude of the ski resorts.

Spring also offers a different experience. The days get longer, the temperatures become warmer and attendance can decrease outside of school holidays.

However, the quality of the snow changes more throughout the day. It becomes then interesting to ski early to enjoy firmer snow.

Is it possible to ski during the 2026 Christmas holidays?

In the main French stations, yes.

The Christmas holidays correspond to one of the central periods of the winter season. Therefore, the vast majority of ski resorts have scheduled their opening for this period.

From December 19, 2026, the large alpine areas should be largely accessible if the weather conditions and the snow cover allow it.

The Christmas holidays remain, however, a very popular time of year. It is therefore advisable to plan in advance for accommodation, equipment rental, packages and ski lessons.

Opening date of ski resorts 2026: when is the best time to go skiing?

There is no single ideal time. It all depends on your priorities.

Fin November and early December are particularly suitable for enthusiasts who want to get back to skiing quickly. The attendance is often lower, but the opening of the resort can be partial.

The Christmas holidays allow you to fully enjoy the winter atmosphere and the activities organized in the resorts. However, demand is high.

January often represents an excellent compromise between snow, winter temperatures, and non-school holiday crowds.

February and early March are the heart of the season. The resorts usually offer their full capacity, but the school holidays greatly increase the number of visitors.

Finally, March and April offer longer days and often more pleasant temperatures. The mountain areas then become particularly interesting.

Opening date of stations 2026: why can the dates change?

The dates published several months before winter remain tentative.

Natural snowfall is obviously a determining factor. However, operators also take into account temperatures, wind, the stability of the snowpack, and the conditions necessary for the operation of the ski lifts.

Therefore, a significant snowfall is not always enough to immediately open a resort.

Skiers must, among other things, secure the slopes, prepare the slopes and control the risks associated with the snow.

Conversely, a cold period can allow some stations equipped with snow-making systems to prepare their slopes before the arrival of significant natural precipitation.

Opening date of ski resorts 2026: how to check if a ski resort is actually open?

As you approach your stay, check directly the information published by the resort or the operator of the ski resort.

Take a look at, for example:

the track opening bulletin; ;
the number of lifts in operation; ;
the webcams; ;
the snow heights; ;
the weather conditions; ;
the opening of connections between the different sectors.

Webcams are particularly useful as a complement to the official bulletins. They allow for observing the conditions present in different areas of the domain.

Discover the schools by station