
Fichtelberg stands as eastern Germany's highest and most significant ski resort, offering 15km of diverse slopes across the beautiful Ore Mountains. Rising to 1,215m, this historic destination combines excellent intermediate terrain with dedicated learning areas and challenging runs through forest sections. The resort maintains its traditional Saxon character while delivering modern skiing amenities and stunning views extending into neighboring Czech Republic.
Fichtelberg is Saxony's biggest ski area, on the highest summit in the Ore Mountains at 1,215 metres above Oberwiesenthal. It has 10 runs covering 15.5 kilometres and a vertical of 304 metres from a base of 911 metres. The grading is 44% beginner, 39% intermediate and 17% advanced, with no expert terrain. Uphill transport is a mix of Germany's oldest cable car, a quad chair and four T-bars. The slopes are open and fairly short, so this is skiing for quick laps and relaxed days rather than big mileage.
Beginners get long, forgiving slopes, intermediates have a few mid-pitch pistes to carve, and the advanced runs add some steepness without becoming extreme. A fun park with a halfpipe gives freestyle riders something to play on. Across the border, Klínovec in the Czech Republic is linked by a joint ski region, which adds variety if you want more terrain. Fichtelberg is a good choice for families, school groups and weekend visitors from eastern Germany, particularly on cold days when snowmaking covers the main slopes. Skiers wanting steep, challenging terrain should look to the Alps.
Fichtelberg typically operates from December through March, with the most reliable conditions in January and February. The resort benefits from substantial natural snowfall, averaging 4-5m annually, complemented by strategic snowmaking on key runs. The predominantly north-facing slopes maintain excellent snow quality throughout the season, often delivering good skiing conditions when lower regions struggle. The Ore Mountains microclimate frequently creates powder opportunities, particularly during cold easterly weather patterns.
Situated on the German-Czech border in Saxony, Fichtelberg sits approximately 150km from Dresden and 90km from Chemnitz. The resort adjoins the historic mining town of Oberwiesenthal, Germany's highest town at 914m. This unique location in the former East Germany provides visitors with insights into the region's rich cultural heritage alongside quality skiing experiences. The surrounding Ore Mountains offer excellent cross-country skiing across a vast network of trails, winter hiking paths, and traditional Christmas markets famous throughout Germany.
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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.
More Fichtelberg intelligence: snow report, lift system, webcams, resort overview.