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Where to ski in the Alps in October
by Fraser Wilkin, Updated:
October may not be a month you traditionally associate with skiing in the Alps, but there are usually plenty of glacier ski areas open, especially towards the end of the month when, in some years, you may find some non-glacial terrain open too.
However, snow conditions in the Alps are highly variable in October, so it is difficult to generalise about what conditions you are likely to encounter. In a typical year there will already have been one or two high altitude snowfalls by October - enough to freshen up the glaciers, but still some way short of generating any serious excitement.
Even if it does snow at lower altitudes, it nearly always all melts - so don’t expect much, if any, non-glacial action before the end of the month. It can happen of course - in 2007, Schladming (Austria) managed to fire up its lifts as early as 26 October, but this is very much the exception rather than the rule.
So what’s the situation as we start October 2025?
Right now, the weather and snow situation in the Alps is fairly ‘average’ for early October. Most of the glaciers are in reasonable shape thanks to several high-altitude snowfalls in recent weeks. However, it is the more southerly glaciers like Passo Stelvio and Val Senales that have seen the most snow and are currently offering the best snow conditions.
A little new snow is expected across some of the glaciers this weekend, especially in Austria, before warm and sunny weather takes hold next week.
France
Autumn glacier skiing in France sadly seems to be a thing of the past.
Until recently it was possible to ski on the glacier in Tignes from late September or October onwards. The glacier in Les 2 Alpes also used to open regularly during the October half term week, but struggled in recent years due to lack of snow, occasionally opening in years like 2020, which which saw bumper snowfall in late September.
Unfortunately, climate change now seems to have put an end to the viability of any October skiing in both resorts.
Once a staple for pre-season skiing, the Grand Motte glacier in Tignes sadly no longer opens in the autumn – Photo: tignes.net, 1 October 2025
Austria
Austria continues to be the alpine country offering the most skiing options in October. Several of its glacier areas are up and running for skiing, with more to follow shortly. Once open, all of these areas will be operational throughout October.
Hintertux normally opens 365 days a year, but was forced to suspend operations in early August this year (2025) due to poor snow, and only reopened last week.
It is still generally regarded as one of the better bets for skiing in October in the Alps though, normally offering the most extensive terrain, early in the month at least, with around 20-30km of pistes. At the time of writing (1 October 2025) it currently has 15km of pistes open on a modest 25cm base.
The Pitztal glacier (Tirol) opened on 27 September 2025 and currently has 5km of pistes open with an upper base of around 60cm.
Sölden often opens its glacier for skiing in late September, but this year (2025) it will open on 2 October. The amount of terrain it opens is highly variable depending on snow-conditions. Unlike many other Austrian glacier ski areas, it also has the advantage of being able to open non-glacial terrain later in the month, should conditions permit.
Stubai will open a day later, on 3 October 2025, and is one of the more extensive glacier options if snow conditions permit.
The Kaunertal glacier (Tirol) will also open on 3 October 2025, though normally has less available terrain than Stubai.
The Mölltal glacier in Karinthia is scheduled to open 10 October 2025, but typically only offers a couple of runs.
The Kitzsteinhorn glacier above Kaprun is due to open on 11 October 2025, and is considered one of the better glacier ski opens, snow-permitting.
Some years ago now, the Dachstein glacier used to open in October (when conditions permitted), but now starts its ski season much later.
Switzerland
Switzerland has two good skiing options open throughout the month of October. The first is the glacier in Zermatt, which can offer up to 20km of slopes. The second is the glacier in Saas-Fee, which can offer a similar extent of open terrain.
At the time of writing (1 October 2025), Zermatt is currently offering 14km of pistes on a 120cm base, while Saas-Fee also has around 14km of pistes open on a 140cm base. Both ski resorts have the potential to increase the extent of available terrain significantly later in October should snow conditions permit.
Other potential skiing options in October are the Titlis glacier above Engelberg, scheduled to open on 25 October 2025, though its opening date is usually very flexible.
The Diavolezza glacier (near St Moritz) is also due to open on 18 October 2025, but only 3 days a week (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday).
Excellent snow conditions on the glacier in Saas-Fee, which is usually one of the best options for skiing in the Alps in October – Photo: saas-fee.ch, 1 October 2025
Italy
In Italy, the best glacier skiing option in October is Passo Stelvio (near Bormio), where up to 20km of pistes can be open throughout the month. At the time of writing (1 October 2025), though, there are currently just 5km open, despite this area having the best of the recent snow, and a 90cm base.
The glacier at Val Senales is another option, albeit more limited, with just 2km of pistes currently open on a 40cm base, although more could open later in the month if conditions permit.
Unlike in previous years, Cervinia will not be opening at weekends in advance of its main season, and is this year due to start its daily operation from 25 October 2025. The amount of skiing available will depend on snow conditions but will extend to non-glacial terrain if snow cover permits.
Good snow conditions on the Val Senales glacier, thanks to recent snowfalls – Photo: schnalstal.com, 1 October 2025
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