Our blog:
Where to ski in the Alps in September
by Fraser Wilkin, Updated: 1 September 2025
September is one of the quietest months in the Alps as far as skiing is concerned, especially early in the month when only three or four glaciers tend to be open these days. More glaciers may open later in the month, but it depends a lot on the weather and how much snow has fallen.
Indeed, good snow cover on the glaciers is far from guaranteed in September. It is, after all, the end of the summer, and if it has been a hot one (particularly a hot one following a lean winter) the lower glacial slopes can look decidedly threadbare.
At the time of writing (1 September 2025), some of the Alpine summer ski areas look like they are in reasonable shape thanks to the snow that has fallen in the Alps in recent days, but this is a bit misleading. The summer of 2025 was another brutally hot one, with freezing levels exceeding 5000m on more than one occasion - something that was previously extremely rare, but has become more common in recent years.
The alpine glaciers have consequently suffered a lot of damage again, and although there are some signs of improvement right now, this is likely to be either very temporary or just cosmetic. "Summer" will return to the Alps this weekend.
Here are the glaciers that are hoping to offer skiing throughout September. Hintertux (normally on the list, and open 365 days a year) was forced to suspend operations in early August this year due to lack of snow, and has not yet specified a re-opening date. Other ski areas (such as Sölden, Pitztal and Val Senales) may open later in the month depending on snow conditions...
1. Zermatt, Switzerland
Opening dates: 365 days a year
Photo: Cervino SpA
With one of the only two glaciers in the Alps that attempt to offer skiing 365 days a year (weather-permitting), Zermatt offers extensive, but mostly very gentle, glacier skiing in a splendid setting at the foot of the Matterhorn. Up to 20km of pistes can be open in September, with a top height of 3899m and a vertical drop of 450m.
Zermatt has seen fresh snow at high altitude this week, and subject to weather conditions (wind having hampered lift operations today, 1 September 2025), is offering about 12km of runs between 3450m and 3899m - pretty much what you would normally expect at this time of year. However, the improved summer skiing conditions are set to deteriorate again this weekend and into next week, thanks to soaring freezing levels. That said, Zermatt's altitude probably makes it the best short term bet for glacier skiing this September.
Access from the Cervinia side in Italy is scheduled to remain open until 7 September 2025.
Looking for hotels in Zermatt? Click here
Further info: www.zermatt.ch
2. Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Opening dates: 18 July 2025 through until spring 2026
Saas-Fee is one of the only two serious skiing options in Switzerland in September. Zermatt may have more altitude, but the glacier at Saas-Fee offers a little bit more gradient and is another popular option for a serious pre-season work-out. Up to 20km of pistes can be open in September, with a top height of 3500m and a vertical drop of 300m.
Like nearby Zermatt, Saas-Fee has seen some fresh snow in recent days and, at the time of writing (1 September 2025), is offering reasonable snow conditions up on the glacier, in the short term at least, with around 12km of runs between about 3200-3500m.
However, much warmer conditions are expected to return this weekend and last into next week, which will lead to a renewed deterioration in the quality of the snow.
Looking for hotels in Saas-Fee? Click here
Further info: www.saas-fee.ch
3. Passo Stelvio, Italy
Opening dates: 31 May to 2 November 2025
Relatively unknown Passo Stelvio, near Bormio in eastern Italy, usually offers skiing from June to November.
Easily accessible by road, the glacier here is compact but scenic, with around 20km or so of mostly gentle terrain. In September you can expect around 12km of pistes to be open, with a top height of 3450m and a vertical drop of 250m.
This September (2023), Passo Stelvio has also benefited from fresh snow earlier this week, and hopes to remain open until early November. Snow conditions are ok for now, with around 10km of pistes open between 3200-3450m. However, like everywhere else, snow quality is expected to deteriorate again next week as temperatures climb.
Like other alpine glaciers, this September (2025), Passo Stelvio has also see some fresh snow in recent days, and hopes to remain open until early November. Snow conditions are temporarily improved, with around 10km of pistes open between 3200-3450m. However, like everywhere else, snow quality is expected to deteriorate this weekend and into next week as warmer weather returns.
Further info: www.passostelvio.com
Note:
In previous years our list of "Where to ski in the Alps in September" has included:
1. Hintertux (in the Austrian Tirol) where you can usually ski 365 days a year and which can usually be relied on to serve up some of the best 'out of season' skiing in the Alps - a favourite venue for early season training camps with a glacier steeper and more varied than most. Normally in September you can expect around 18km of pistes to be open, with a top height of 3250m and a vertical drop of 600m. This year (2025), however, it was forced to close in mid-August due to lack of snow, and has not yet set a September re-opening date.
2. Mölltal, one of Austria’s lesser known glacier areas which has, in the past, opened for most of the year - even if that means just three runs in the summer (including September), compared with up to 71km of pistes in winter. In past Septembers, you could usually expect around 5km of pistes to be open, with a top height of 3122m and a vertical drop of 300m. However, thanks to the impact of climate change, the resort's season has been contracting in recent years, often not even opening at all in summer.
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