Ski resort opening dates 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 2026-2027 ski season, the first openings are scheduled as early as November 21, 2026. The major French ski areas will then gradually open 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 of French ski resorts for winter 2026-2027, based on information provided by the resorts and ski areas.

Last update: September 2026. The dates given may change. Before you leave, always check the opening conditions directly with the resort concerned.

Opening calendar 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 link between the Tignes and Val d’Isère areas is then due to open gradually 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: see you on November 21, 2026

Val Thorens is also among the first resorts 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.

On this occasion the resort is holding its traditional Grande Première, a weekend dedicated to the return of skiing and equipment testing.

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 for early-season skiing.

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

The ski area has a large high-altitude sector reaching nearly 3,600 meters. This 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 pre-opening on December 5 and 6

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.

Espace Diamant will be 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.

Resorts opening from December 11 and 12

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

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 resort is one of the main access points to Les Sybelles and gives access to the various sectors of the ski area when the links are open.

Val Cenis: opening in mid-December

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

The resort is holding its «Tous en Piste» 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 high-altitude resorts 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 first major 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 resort's opening date mean that the entire ski area is open?

No.

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

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

Operators gradually open the sectors as soon as conditions make it possible to guarantee skiers' safety.

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

• the resort's official opening date;
• the number of ski lifts open;
• the number and type of accessible slopes.

You should also check the links between resorts. A resort may be open while the connection with the neighbouring ski area remains temporarily closed.

Which resorts will stay open latest in spring 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 resorts, yes.

The Christmas holidays are one of the central periods of the winter season. The vast majority of ski areas have therefore scheduled their opening before 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 nevertheless remain a very popular time. It is therefore advisable to book accommodation, equipment rental, ski passes and ski lessons in advance.

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.

Late November and early December are particularly suitable for enthusiasts who want to get back on the snow quickly. There are often fewer people, but the ski area may only be partially open.

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. High-altitude ski areas then become particularly attractive.

Ski resort opening dates 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.

Ski patrollers must, among other things, secure the sectors, prepare the slopes and control snow-related risks.

Conversely, a cold spell can allow some resorts equipped with snowmaking systems to prepare their slopes before significant natural snowfall arrives.

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 slope opening report;
the number of lifts in operation;
the webcams;
the snow depths;
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.

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