Where to ski in the Alps in October
by Fraser Wilkin, Updated: 1 October 2026
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 2026?
Right now, the weather and snow situation is very unfavourable for skiing or boarding in the Alps. A summer of extreme heat was followed by an exceptionally warm and dry September meaning that, at the time of writing (), there are still only 3 glacier ski areas open in the Alps, and all on a very limited basis.
Indeed, the news is also currently full of articles about Swiss glaciers, which according to Glacier Monitoring Switzerland, have this year seen a “disastrous” loss of over 5% of their remaining ice, with ramifications extending way beyond skiing.
Nonetheless, other Alpine glaciers have confirmed that they will try and open or reopen over the next week or two (including Switzerland’s Saas-Fee and Austria's Hintertux, this weekend) but, with the first week of October expected to remain warm with little significant precipitation, snow conditions are not going to miraculously improve on the glaciers any time soon.
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 saw bumper snowfall in late September.
Unfortunately, climate change now seems to have put an end to any realistic prospect of 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. This year it has particularly poor snow cover – Photo: tignes.net, 30 September 2026
Austria
Austria has traditionally been the Alpine country offering the most skiing options in October, although in 2026, Italy is starting the month with that accolade.
Hintertux used to open 365 days a year, but since being forced to suspend operations in early August 2025 due to poor snow, now takes a break in the summer and re-opens in early October. This year it is scheduled to re-open on .
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. However, with snow conditions on the glacier still very poor, it is unlikely that anything like that extent will be available when it re-opens.
The Pitztal glacier (Tirol) opened on , but also has very limited natural snow cover, with only 2 pistes open.
Sölden often opens its glacier for skiing in late September, and in previous years has offered some of the most extensive skiing in the Alps for October. The amount of terrain it opens is highly variable depending on snow conditions and, 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. This year (2026), however, it has been forced to suspend skiing operations until further notice.
Stubai is often open by early October and is traditionally one of the more extensive skiing options in the Alps in October (if snow conditions permit). In 2026, it is scheduled to open on but with very poor snow conditions. At the time of writing, there is little sign of any significant snowfall on the horizon, so doubts remain as to whether this opening date will be achievable.
The Kaunertal glacier (Tirol) typically opens in late September or early October, though normally has less available terrain than Stubai. However, this year (like Sölden), it has been forced to suspend skiing operations until further notice.
The Mölltal glacier in Karinthia typically only offers a couple of runs in October. This year it is scheduled to open on , also later than usual due to the current poor snow conditions.
The Kitzsteinhorn glacier above Kaprun plans to commence operations on , and is usually considered one of the better glacier ski options (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.
The Hintertux glacier used to open 365 days a year, but now closes in summer. It is scheduled to reopen on 2 October, although snow conditions are currently very poor - Photo: hintertux-gletscher.at, 1 October 2026
Switzerland
Switzerland has historically offered two good skiing options 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 (), Zermatt remains closed, having suspended skiing operations on . Saas-Fee will re-open for skiing on , but with just two upper glacier surface lifts running and, like everywhere else in the Alps, with very poor snow conditions.
Other potential skiing options in October are the Titlis glacier above Engelberg, scheduled to open on , though its opening date is usually very flexible.
The Diavolezza glacier (near St Moritz) is also due to open on , but only 3 days a week (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday).
Poor snow conditions on the glacier in Saas-Fee – usually one of the best options for skiing in the Alps in October - this year reopening for skiing on 3 October – Photo: saas-fee.ch, 29 September 2026
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 (), though, there are just a couple of km open.
The glacier at Val Senales is another option, albeit even more limited right now due to the poor snow conditions, with just 1km of pistes currently open.
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 . The amount of skiing available will depend on snow conditions but will extend to non-glacial terrain if snow cover permits.
The Val Senales glacier has just 1km of slopes open right now, due to poor snow conditions – Photo: schnalstal.com, 1 October 2026
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