
Fellhorn Kanzelwand Resort
Cross-border ski resort spanning Germany-Austria. 36km slopes, 5.7km valley runs, modern lifts. Oberstdorf access.
Fellhorn-Kanzelwand delivers Germany's most distinctive cross-border skiing experience, uniquely spanning both Germany and Austria across 36 kilometres of diverse terrain reaching 1,967 metres above sea level. This remarkable twin-mountain resort combines the German Fellhorn with the Austrian Kanzelwand, creating one of the largest ski areas in the Allgäu Alps with a substantial 1,047-metre vertical drop. The resort excels in providing varied terrain for all abilities, featuring predominantly intermediate runs alongside challenging mogul slopes, ski routes, and two spectacular valley descents stretching up to 5.7 kilometres. Enhanced by comprehensive artificial snowmaking across the entire ski area and positioned within the expansive Oberstdorf-Kleinwalsertal region, Fellhorn-Kanzelwand offers exceptional snow security and seamless connectivity to over 130 kilometres of interconnected Alpine skiing.
Fellhorn Kanzelwand Resort is a cross-border ski area linking Oberstdorf in Germany with the Kleinwalsertal in Austria, with 26 runs and 36 kilometres of piste. The vertical is 1,047 metres from a 920 metre base to a 1,967 metre summit. Grading is 39% beginner, 56% intermediate and 5% advanced, with no expert pistes, so confident intermediates are well served. Cable cars and gondolas lift skiers from both sides, supported by six-seat chairs and a handful of drag lifts, so the area is easy to reach in either country.
You can start from Oberstdorf on the Fellhornbahn or from Riezlern on the Kanzelwandbahn, and ski across the border between the two peaks. The terrain mixes broad carving pistes above the tree line with sheltered runs lower down, and there is a mogul piste and a snow park for variety. Freeride routes exist off the main slopes but need local knowledge and avalanche awareness. Fellhorn Kanzelwand suits intermediates and families who want a long day with changing scenery rather than steeps. Advanced skiers will find the pistes tame, and experts should look further afield.
Fellhorn-Kanzelwand operates a highly reliable winter season typically running from early December through late March, with exceptional snow security enhanced by one of the Alps' most advanced artificial snowmaking systems covering all 36 kilometres of pistes. The resort benefits from its varied elevation range between 920 and 1,967 metres, creating diverse microclimates that preserve excellent skiing conditions throughout the season. Peak snow conditions typically occur during February, when the resort averages 104 centimetres of snow depth at summit elevation, ranking amongst Germany's top three ski areas for snow reliability. The cross-border location provides strategic weather advantages, with north-facing slopes maintaining superior powder quality whilst the varied aspects ensure consistent skiing regardless of prevailing conditions. The resort's elevated position and comprehensive snowmaking infrastructure guarantee dependable skiing from the first winter storms through the final spring sessions.
Strategically positioned in the heart of the German-Austrian Alpine border region, Fellhorn-Kanzelwand spans from Oberstdorf's Faistenoy district in Bavaria to Riezlern in Austria's Kleinwalsertal valley, approximately 164 kilometres southeast of Munich. The resort enjoys exceptional accessibility with direct train connections from Munich to Oberstdorf taking 2 hours 27 minutes, followed by convenient bus transfers to both the German and Austrian base stations. The unique cross-border configuration allows access from either Faistenoy (0.3 kilometres from the lift) in Germany or Riezlern (0.4 kilometres from the gondola) in Austria, connected by efficient Walserbus services operating every 30 minutes. This distinctive international location positions visitors within the renowned Oberstdorf-Kleinwalsertal ski region, providing seamless access to seven interconnected mountains and over 130 kilometres of skiing terrain through unified lift pass systems, all whilst experiencing the cultural richness of both Bavarian and Austrian Alpine traditions.
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Europe’s ski season is open, technically. After a record-warm summer, glaciers in Austria, Switzerland and Italy are running a few pistes apiece, Sölden, Stubai and Kitzsteinhorn started late, Titlis has pushed back to 24 October, and Zermatt reopens a few lifts on 14 October after more than two months shut. Finland’s Levi and Ruka are skiing on stored snow. Here is what is open, and what you actually get at each.

Zermatt is having another crack at a World Cup downhill, and this time nobody has to cross a border. Around 13 million Swiss francs is going into rebuilding the Gornergrat piste, including a jump fed by a roughly 300-metre in-run across the roof of the Gornergrat Railway gallery, with the Matterhorn lined up behind it for the TV cameras. First men’s race is pencilled in for March 2028, pending FIS homologation.

Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation is paying off early: Mt. Rose has started making snow for 2026-27 after the first flurries and a cold snap. The Nevada resort is backing it with nearly US$2 million in upgrades, including a replacement snowmaking main line, a new PistenBully groomer and restraint bars on every lift. Opening day is yet to be confirmed, though Heavenly and Northstar are already eyeing 20 November.

Utah is still building flat out. For 2026-27, Powder Mountain opens a steep new Skytrac chair into more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, Deer Valley adds 200 acres on Hail Peak, Sundance gets a new quad and Park City adds a gondola from its new parking structure. Snowmaking is expanding almost everywhere, Eagle Point stays closed after the Cottonwood Fire, and the 2034 Games are setting the pace. Here’s what’s new, resort by resort.

Mt Hutt is getting busier, and its base lodge is about to catch up. NZ$12 million goes into a heated sun deck roughly three times the current size (430 m² to 1,300 m²), plus a new toilet block, heated steps down to snow level, extra storage and a new food and beverage outlet. Building starts after the 2026 season, with everything due for winter 2027.

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.
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