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Where to Ski in December 2026: Resorts Open Early & Low-Season Prices

By Book & Ski · Sources checked

The short answer

For early-December skiing, choose a resort that is already open: 21 of the resorts in our opening-dates list open by 5 December 2026, including the glaciers, Zermatt and Saas-Fee (1 November), Val Thorens–Orelle (21 November) and Les 2 Alpes (28 November). Lift passes are cheaper before Christmas: €395 for six days in St Anton (2–18 December) and €378.50 for Les 3 Vallées (5–18 December).

Resorts open by 5 December 2026 (official opening dates)OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayHintertux Glacier (Ziller…Hintertux Glacier (Zillertal): opens Early October 2026, closes 11 April 2027Mölltal Glacier (Carinthi…Mölltal Glacier (Carinthia): opens 3 October 2026, closes 30 May 2027Kitzsteinhorn (Zell am Se…Kitzsteinhorn (Zell am See-Kaprun): opens 10 October 2026, closes May 2027Sölden (glaciers)Sölden (glaciers): opens Mid-October 2026, closes End of April 2027Stubai ValleyStubai Valley: opens Mid-October 2026, closes Mid-April 2027CerviniaCervinia: opens 24 October 2026, closes –ZermattZermatt: opens 1 November 2026, closes 2 May 2027Saas-FeeSaas-Fee: opens 1 November 2026, closes 18 April 2027KitzbühelKitzbühel: opens 6 November 2026, closes 4 April 2027Obergurgl-HochgurglObergurgl-Hochgurgl: opens 19 November 2026, closes 18 April 2027ObertauernObertauern: opens 20 November 2026, closes 2 May 2027Val Thorens–OrelleVal Thorens–Orelle: opens 21 November 2026, closes 2 May 2027IschglIschgl: opens 26 November 2026, closes 2 May 2027Saalbach-HinterglemmSaalbach-Hinterglemm: opens 27 November 2026, closes 4 April 2027Silvretta MontafonSilvretta Montafon: opens 27 November 2026, closes 11 April 2027Les 2 AlpesLes 2 Alpes: opens 28 November 2026, closes 2 May 2027St Anton am ArlbergSt Anton am Arlberg: opens 2 December 2026, closes 18 April 2027Lech ZürsLech Zürs: opens 2 December 2026, closes 18 April 2027Serfaus-Fiss-LadisSerfaus-Fiss-Ladis: opens 4 December 2026, closes 4 April 2027Les 3 Vallées (linked are…Les 3 Vallées (linked area): opens 5 December 2026, closes 18 April 2027SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Bri…SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental: opens 5 December 2026, closes 4 April 2027
Official 2026/27 season dates (gold dot = opening; lighter bar = closing date not yet published). Approximate dates such as “mid-October” are placed mid-month; exact dates are in the table below.
Resorts open by 5 December 2026 (official opening dates)
Resort / areaCountryOpensClosesSource
Hintertux Glacier (Zillertal)AustriaEarly October 202611 April 2027source
Mölltal Glacier (Carinthia)Austria3 October 202630 May 2027source
Kitzsteinhorn (Zell am See-Kaprun)Austria10 October 2026May 2027source
Sölden (glaciers)AustriaMid-October 2026End of April 2027source
Stubai ValleyAustriaMid-October 2026Mid-April 2027source
CerviniaItaly24 October 2026–source
ZermattSwitzerland1 November 20262 May 2027source
Saas-FeeSwitzerland1 November 202618 April 2027source
KitzbühelAustria6 November 20264 April 2027source
Obergurgl-HochgurglAustria19 November 202618 April 2027source
ObertauernAustria20 November 20262 May 2027source
Val Thorens–OrelleFrance21 November 20262 May 2027source
IschglAustria26 November 20262 May 2027source
Saalbach-HinterglemmAustria27 November 20264 April 2027source
Silvretta MontafonAustria27 November 202611 April 2027source
Les 2 AlpesFrance28 November 20262 May 2027source
St Anton am ArlbergAustria2 December 202618 April 2027source
Lech ZürsAustria2 December 202618 April 2027source
Serfaus-Fiss-LadisAustria4 December 20264 April 2027source
Les 3 Vallées (linked area)France5 December 202618 April 2027source
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–BrixentalAustria5 December 20264 April 2027source

Low-season prices in December

Before the Christmas peak, six-day adult passes cost €395 in St Anton (2–18 December), €351 in Kitzbühel until 5 December and €387 from 6 to 19 December, €378.50 for Les 3 Vallées (5–18 December), and ¥51,200 in Niseko until 11 December.

All 2026/27 opening and closing dates →Highest ski resorts in Europe →Cheapest weeks to ski →

Pick altitude for early snow

Early in the season, higher resorts and glaciers are the safer bet for snow cover. Check which lifts and runs are open before you travel, as opening weekends can run a reduced area.

Frequently asked questions

Which ski resorts are open in early December 2026?

Hintertux Glacier (Zillertal), Mölltal Glacier (Carinthia), Kitzsteinhorn (Zell am See-Kaprun), Sölden (glaciers), Stubai Valley, Cervinia and others open by 5 December, according to their official dates.

Is December cheaper for skiing?

Before Christmas, yes: for example €395 instead of €468 for six days in St Anton (2–18 December).

Official sources

Checked on . Prices and timetables change; confirm with the operator before you pay. How we research.