
Hörnle-Bad Kohlgrub delivers a charming Bavarian skiing experience with 8km of diverse slopes perfectly suited to families and intermediate skiers. This accessible resort combines excellent learning terrain with several more challenging runs, all set against spectacular Alpine panoramas. The uncrowded pistes and authentic character make Hörnle particularly appealing for those seeking quality skiing without the commercialization and crowds of larger destinations.
The Hörnle above Bad Kohlgrub is a small, traditional ski hill in the Ammergau Alps, with six runs and nine kilometres of piste between 915 metres and 1,400 metres, a vertical of 485 metres. Two thirds of the terrain is beginner-graded at 67%, with the remaining 33% intermediate, and nothing advanced or expert. Access is by a nostalgic double chairlift plus a T-bar, so capacity is limited and the pace of the day is unhurried. Anyone expecting a big lift network will be disappointed, but anyone wanting a quiet local mountain will feel at home.
Runs include the family descent, the Tannenbankerl piste and the Stockhang, along with a standard route that has a steeper section and is typically ungroomed. The top station has a mountain hut with a sunny terrace, which is half the appeal for many visitors. The Hörnle suits beginners, parents with young children and relaxed intermediates who like a calm, old-school atmosphere. A long toboggan run also starts from the summit, so mixed groups can split the day easily. It is not a destination for advanced skiers, who will find little here beyond a couple of steeper pitches.
Hörnle-Bad Kohlgrub typically operates from December through March, with the most consistent conditions in January and February. The resort benefits from its elevated position and north-facing aspects, which maintain good snow quality throughout the season. The strategic snowmaking capabilities supplement natural snowfall on key runs, ensuring reliable skiing throughout winter. The relaxed atmosphere makes it particularly appealing during weekends when larger resorts face overcrowding.
Located near Bad Kohlgrub in Upper Bavaria, Hörnle sits approximately 80km from Munich and 40km from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The resort enjoys a spectacular position within the Ammergau Alps, surrounded by impressive limestone peaks and Alpine meadows. This accessible location makes it perfect for day trips from Munich while maintaining an authentic mountain atmosphere. The spa town of Bad Kohlgrub provides excellent accommodation options and traditional dining serving authentic Bavarian specialties in a truly picturesque setting.
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The Alps are about to swap mild, sunny October weather for something far more wintry. A cold front arrives Tuesday, and SnowStash forecasts have Monterosa Ski out in front with 64 cm over 14 days, ahead of Blatten Belalp (55 cm) and Verbier (43 cm). The snow line should fall below 2000 metres by Wednesday night, and glaciers across Switzerland, Italy and Austria are in line for the best of it. The wind will have a say too.

A large avalanche struck near Laguna del Inca adjacent to Ski Portillo on Saturday afternoon, killing four people and injuring four others. The group were day visitors mountaineering in the backcountry after reportedly being warned about elevated avalanche risk by resort staff.

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.
Live open status isn’t available right now.
Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo
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Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.
Our snow reports measure snowfall in centimeters over multiple time windows — last 24 hours, last 7 days, and the season total. Base depth reflects accumulation at the 915m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 485m higher at 1400m, where snow typically stays colder and lingers longer. Imperial conversions are shown alongside for convenience.
Wind and temperature swings matter as much as fresh snowfall. Cold, calm conditions hold snow quality well, while wind-loading or a warm-up can change things quickly — especially given the elevation spread between Hörnle – Bad Kohlgrub's base and summit.
Hörnle – Bad Kohlgrub snow data is collected through a combination of on-mountain reports and weather forecasting services, giving you both official resort updates and independent forecast data in one place. The mountain is served by 2 lifts in total.
Conditions can change overnight, so mornings and late afternoons are the best times to check back on Hörnle – Bad Kohlgrub.