
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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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 Hörnle – Bad Kohlgrub intelligence: snow report, lift system, webcams, resort overview.