
Geißkopf delivers a diverse winter sports experience in the Bavarian Forest, with 8km of well-groomed slopes catering to all ability levels. This family-friendly resort combines traditional skiing with modern attractions including Germany's longest toboggan run, creating an ideal destination for mixed-interest groups. The uncrowded pistes and authentic eastern Bavarian character make Geißkopf particularly appealing for those seeking quality winter experiences away from the busier Alpine regions.
Geißkopf is a mid-sized hill in the Bavarian Forest above Bischofsmais, with nine runs and 8 kilometres of piste between 835 and 1,100 metres, a vertical of 265 metres. The grading is 23% beginner, 66% intermediate and 11% advanced, with no expert terrain, so it is mainly a red-run hill. A six-seat chair, two surface lifts and four T-bars provide the uphill access. Snowmaking covers most of the pistes, which keeps the season reliable when natural snow is thin. Expect a quick day of laps rather than a destination trip.
The main descent, known as the Herrenabfahrt, is about 1,200 metres long and is the longest floodlit piste in the Bavarian Forest, with lights on several evenings a week in peak season. The broad pistes suit intermediates cruising and building confidence, while the beginner slopes and conveyor lifts are friendly for small children. A long toboggan run runs alongside, which helps when not everyone in the family skis. Geißkopf is aimed at day-trippers and weekend families from Lower Bavaria, and at night-skiing regulars. Advanced skiers will find the steeper section short, and freeride terrain is minimal.
Geißkopf typically operates from December through March, with the most consistent conditions in January and February. The resort benefits from its position in the snowy Bavarian Forest region, receiving substantial natural snowfall supplemented by strategic snowmaking on key runs. The predominantly north-facing slopes maintain good snow quality throughout the season, often preserving excellent conditions when lower areas struggle. The resort's growing reputation for diverse winter activities makes it increasingly popular throughout the season.
Located near Bischofsmais in eastern Bavaria, Geißkopf sits approximately 160km from Munich and 60km from Passau. The resort enjoys a spectacular position within the Bavarian Forest, surrounded by pristine woodland and traditional villages. This location offers visitors the opportunity to experience the unique culture of eastern Bavaria while enjoying quality winter sports. The surrounding Bavarian Forest National Park provides additional winter activities including extensive cross-country skiing, winter hiking, and wildlife observation in one of Germany's most impressive wilderness areas.
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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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