
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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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.

Brian Head is targeting 6 November, though last year it aimed for 7 November and did not open until the 25th. Park City, Alta and Solitude are pencilled in for 20 November, Snowbird and Snowbasin for 27 November, and Deer Valley for 5 December. Eagle Point will stay closed after the Cottonwood Fire. A super El Niño is forecast, but the big snow is not expected until January.

Hintertux became Austria's second glacier to open for 2026-27 on Friday 2 October, after the Pitztal Glacier. Twelve kilometres of piste are running around the Olperer and Gefrorene Wand, served by one gondola and two drag lifts, with the Betterpark also open. Lifts officially run 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, but skiing stops at 2 pm for now.

A historically poor western winter cut Vail Resorts' annual net income from $280 million to $147.5 million and skier visits by 13.4 per cent. Now 2026-27 pass units are down 12 per cent as of 18 September, worse than the 10 per cent flagged in spring. Vail blames the weather and thinks some buyers are simply waiting, and it forecasts a rebound if the snow behaves.

Arizona Snowbowl advertised eight $1 lift ticket days this winter. Go looking and only three are showing - 10 March, 1 April and 10 April - so the rest may already have gone. The consolation is a calendar full of $9 days, including all but one day in April. Opening day is 20 November, weather permitting, and opening weekend is $19.

For years, Whitewater's Short Side was where you ducked a rope and hoped for the best: unmapped, ungroomed and unpatrolled. This winter it's inbounds. Six new runs of glades and fall-line skiing add 190 acres (about 77 hectares), taking the resort past 1,400 acres in total. F2 Logging spent a month in the trees to make it happen, and opening day is pencilled in for 4 December. Bonanza now needs less snow to groom, too.
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