
Münstertal-Wieden combines authentic Black Forest charm with quality skiing across 9km of varied terrain suitable for all abilities. This family-friendly resort maintains traditional southwestern German character away from mass tourism, offering uncrowded slopes and spectacular views across the rolling Black Forest highlands. The manageable size makes it perfect for beginners and families, while still providing enough variety to keep improving skiers engaged throughout their visit.
Münstertal-Wieden is a small Black Forest ski area in the Belchen region, spanning 880 metres to 1,240 metres with a vertical of 360 metres. Sanity lists 10 kilometres of piste, graded 30% beginner, 50% intermediate and 20% advanced, with no expert runs. Six T-bars serve the slopes, including the Heidsteinlift, a long drag lift that is among the longest in Germany. There are no chairs or gondolas here, so skiers should be comfortable with surface lifts. The layout is easy to understand, with connected lifts making it simple to move between the different slopes.
Wide Black Forest pistes with open, rolling terrain give the area a relaxed feel, and the grading offers something for most abilities. Beginners have gentle slopes to learn on, intermediates can cruise the main runs, and the advanced 20% gives stronger skiers a few steeper pitches. The area suits families, local day-trippers from Freiburg and the Rhine valley, and anyone wanting a quiet alternative to the busy Feldberg. Because the altitude is modest, conditions can vary, so check snow reports before travelling. Expect a friendly, low-key day rather than big mountain skiing.
Münstertal-Wieden typically operates from December through March, with the most reliable conditions in January and February. The resort benefits from its position in one of the snowiest regions of the Black Forest, receiving substantial natural snowfall supplemented by strategic snowmaking on main runs. The varied slope aspects include north-facing sections that maintain excellent snow quality throughout the season, often preserving good skiing conditions when lower areas struggle with thawing conditions.
Located in Baden-Württemberg approximately 150km south of Stuttgart and 30km from Freiburg, Münstertal-Wieden offers an accessible mountain escape in Germany's beautiful southern Black Forest. The resort sits within a stunning valley surrounded by pristine woodland and traditional farmhouses. This convenient location makes it easily reachable for day trips and weekend visits from major population centers. The historic Münstertal valley provides charming accommodation options and excellent dining serving authentic Black Forest specialties including the famous Black Forest cake.
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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.

Brian Head is targeting 6 November, though last year it aimed for 7 November and did not open until the 25th. Park City, Alta and Solitude are pencilled in for 20 November, Snowbird and Snowbasin for 27 November, and Deer Valley for 5 December. Eagle Point will stay closed after the Cottonwood Fire. A super El Niño is forecast, but the big snow is not expected until January.
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Dec 19, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Münstertal-Wieden typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from €20, with peak rates up to €30.
Full day lift ticket for adults
Full day lift ticket for children
More Münstertal-Wieden intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.