
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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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 Geißkopf intelligence: snow report, lift system, webcams, resort overview.