You may not realize it, but a number of Europe’s leading ski resorts are open for skiing in October, November and also December. So why not take advantage of the early ski season this year? You’ll enjoy the uncrowded slopes. Also, you’ll be paying less for accommodation and lift passes.

Early season skiing is usually limited to glacier areas. However, on the positive side, you’re likely to have the slopes to yourself.  You’ll be able to travel leisurely through quiet airports. Also, you’ll be the first to try out the new season’s equipment. And if you’re traveling with family, the advantages continue to accumulate. Are you fed up with limited availability, crowded slopes, and sky-high prices? Wouldn’t you rather enjoy a more relaxing, peaceful and better value ski trip? Then get your skis on the snow in October or November instead.

It’s impossible to predict snow conditions for early season skiing in October or November, it’s hit and miss in the autumn. However, some years lucky skiers and boarders have been riding on powder a meter deep in the first weeks of October!

Early Season Skiing in Austria:

Along with Hintertux, Kaunertal and Pitztal, Austrian autumn glacier ski or board options include the Kitzsteinhorn glacier at Kaprun; the Mölltal glacier, the twin glaciers of Solden; the Stubai glacier close to Innsbruck and the Dachstein glacier, not far from Schladming.

Early Season Skiing in Switzerland:

Well-known areas include Saas Fee and Zermatt. Four other good autumn choices, which may only be open at weekends until the main winter season begins, include Glacier 3000 between Les Diablerets and Gstaad; the Titlis Glacier above Engelberg another; the Vorab glacier at Laax the third and the Diavolezza glacier in the Engadin Valley close to Pontresina and St Moritz the fourth.

Early Season Skiing in France:

Tignes is the only French ski resort opening for almost all of autumn –  re-opening around the last weekend of September after it had closed its summer skiing operation.

Les 2 Alpes traditionally opens its glacier ski area, which it claims is Europe’s largest, for a 10-day period (two weekends and the week in between) at end of October and start of November when they run an autumn snowsports festival with lots of fun events and gear testing.  Then closes until the main season.

Early Season Skiing in Italy:

In Italy Val Senales and Cervinia usually opens at the end of October, offering access from the Italian side to the Klein Matterhorn glacier above Zermatt.  The only other option is the summer ski centre at Passo Stelvio, normally open at least in to October.

Book Your Holiday Ski Trip– It’s Never Too Early

It’s never too early to start planning your holiday ski trip vacation to Europe. The exclusive and popular European resorts fill up fast for American holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many vacationers wait too long and are stuck with lesser choices or no choice at all because they waited too long to book their dream holiday ski vacation trip.

Remember to book your ski vacation to Europe as soon as possible, because when the rooms are full at popular European ski resorts, such as Zermatt, Chamonix, St. Anton and Innsbruck ski areas, they are gone.

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