
Arber stands as the Bavarian Forest's premier ski destination, offering 14.5km of diverse slopes across a spectacular natural setting. Rising to 1,456m at the highest point in the Bavarian Forest, this impressive resort combines excellent terrain for all abilities with reliable snow conditions throughout winter. The uncrowded pistes and authentic eastern Bavarian character make Arber particularly appealing for those seeking quality skiing away from the busier Alpine regions.
Arber is the main ski mountain of the Bavarian Forest, rising to 1,456 metres above Bayerisch Eisenstein and giving 406 metres of vertical from a 1,050 metre base. Its 13 runs total 11.5 kilometres, graded 39% beginner, 35% intermediate and 26% advanced, with no expert pistes. A gondola and two six-seat chairs handle the main uphill traffic, backed by T-bars and surface lifts. It is one of the larger and better equipped options in eastern Germany, though still firmly a mid-sized hill rather than an alpine resort.
The Sonnenhang is the red piste most intermediates head for, while the Damenstrecke offers a smoother blue descent. A World Cup course of about one kilometre, used for race events over many years, gives stronger skiers something steeper to test. The Familienstrecke is flat and gentle, and the ArBär Kinderland area has carpets and a practice zone for small children. Several runs are floodlit for evening skiing. Arber works well for families, beginners and intermediates after a full day close to the Czech border. Those chasing steeps or big mileage will outgrow it quickly.
Arber typically operates from December through March, with the most reliable conditions in January and February. The resort benefits from its elevated position in one of Bavaria's snowiest regions, receiving substantial natural snowfall supplemented by extensive snowmaking coverage. The predominantly north-facing slopes maintain excellent snow quality throughout the season, often delivering good skiing conditions when lower regions struggle. The Bavarian Forest microclimate frequently creates powder opportunities, particularly during cold continental weather patterns.
Located in eastern Bavaria approximately 200km from Munich and 60km from the Czech border, Arber offers a distinctive mountain experience away from the crowded Alpine resorts. The resort sits within the beautiful Bavarian Forest National Park, surrounded by pristine woodland and crystal-clear mountain lakes. This unique location provides visitors with opportunities to combine skiing with exploration of one of Germany's most impressive wilderness areas. The nearby towns of Bodenmais and Bayerisch Eisenstein offer charming accommodation options and excellent dining serving authentic eastern Bavarian specialties.
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Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.

Less than four months out from the Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships, the man running the organising committee has stepped down. Claude-Alain Schmidhalter resigned as Swiss-Ski vice president and OC president after being indicted over a business dispute unrelated to skiing. He denies the allegations and faces court on October 27. Interim leaders are in place for the February 1-14 event.

Kelly Canyon had a rough 2025-26, and the Idaho resort has spent the summer making sure it doesn’t repeat. Snowmaking now reaches the top of Goldrush, the terrain park is doubling in size with a stereo system, lights and a snack shack, and the car park is getting bigger. Grooming is stepping up too. Target opening is December 4, conditions permitting.

Winter was meant to be winding down in Chile. Then Valle Nevado took 108 cm in 48 hours in early October, and the resort has pushed its closing date out to November 8 - its latest in 38 years of operation. That makes 143 days of skiing since opening day on June 19, with 690 cm banked for the season. Only part of the mountain is running while the storm settles, so check the mountain report before you plan a trip.

The Alps look a lot more like winter today, for a day or so. A cold front is moving west to east, dropping up to 35 cm on high glaciers and peaks, with snow levels falling to around 1,500-1,800 m at times. Don’t plan a trip around it: mid-elevation snow will be thin and wet, every area is closed bar a limited Sölden glacier opening tomorrow, and warmer weather returns by Monday.

Mammoth Mountain is first up in California, targeting Friday 13 November after a dusting of September snow. Heavenly and Northstar follow on 20 November, Palisades Tahoe on Wednesday 25 November and Sugar Bowl on 27 November, with Kirkwood on 4 December and June Mountain on 19 December. Plenty of smaller areas have no date yet. A super El Niño favours the Sierra, but a warmer storm track is the catch.

Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Winter Park are all chasing an October start, though none has a firm date yet. The first dated openers are Breckenridge and Copper on Friday 6 November, then Vail on 13 November, with most of the rest bunched around US Thanksgiving. Hesperus did not open at all last season. A super El Niño offers hope but no guarantee, and forecasters say the southern mountains have the better odds.

Dolomiti Superski is spending around €100 million across its 12 areas before winter. Kronplatz gets a new 10-passenger gondola with a middle station, 3 Zinnen gets Helmissimo, and Val di Fassa swaps a chairlift for a gondola above Col Valvacin. New water-storage basins and upgraded snowmaking follow, and construction has started on the San Martino to Passo Rolle link. A peak adult day pass is €89.
More Arber intelligence: snow report, lift system, webcams, resort overview.