
Ofterschwang combines world-class racing heritage with accessible family skiing across 17km of brilliantly maintained slopes. This Allgäu resort regularly hosts World Cup slalom events on its famous Weltcuphang run while still catering perfectly to recreational skiers of all abilities. The resort's excellent snow reliability and efficient operations make it a standout destination in southern Germany, offering genuine Alpine experiences without the crowds of larger ski areas.
Ofterschwang sits on the flanks of the Ofterschwanger Horn in the Allgäu, with 17 runs covering 16.5 kilometres from 880 to 1,405 metres. That is a vertical of 525 metres, healthy for a German hill. Intermediates are the core at 56%, with 28% beginner and 16% advanced, and the area is reached from two valleys, Ofterschwang and Gunzesried. Two gondolas, a six-seat chair, a quad and two further tows handle the traffic, so most of the mountain can be reached without a long walk or a slow T-bar.
The Weltcup slope is the signature descent, a World Cup course with views over Sonthofen that rewards confident carving on a well-groomed surface. The Märchenwiese is the longest run, a gentler cruise of close to four kilometres that gives beginners and tired legs a proper way home. Beyond those two, expect tidy groomers rather than freeride terrain, since there are no expert-rated pistes in the Sanity data. Ofterschwang suits intermediates, families and Allgäu weekenders wanting a well-run local mountain with a bit of racing history behind it.
The ski season at Ofterschwang typically runs from December through March, with the most reliable conditions in January and February. The resort benefits from advanced snowmaking covering 90% of all slopes, ensuring consistent skiing regardless of natural snowfall. The north-facing World Cup slope maintains exceptional snow quality throughout the season, frequently offering racing-quality conditions for recreational skiers. The microclimate often delivers surprising powder days, particularly during cold snaps.
Situated in Bavaria's picturesque Allgäu region, Ofterschwang sits approximately 150km from Munich and 70km from Memmingen Airport. The resort enjoys a beautiful position surrounded by rolling Alpine meadows and impressive mountain peaks. This accessible location makes it popular for weekend trips while maintaining an authentic Bavarian atmosphere. The nearby village of Ofterschwang provides traditional accommodation options and excellent dining serving authentic regional specialties including excellent Allgäuer Käsespätzle.
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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.
Ofterschwang's modern lift system features 8 installations efficiently serving the entire ski area. The network includes comfortable chairlifts and surface lifts strategically positioned to minimize waiting times. With a vertical drop of 400m, the lifts provide access to diverse terrain including the renowned World Cup slope. The Ofterschwanger Horn chairlift transports skiers quickly to 1,405m, offering spectacular views across the Allgäu Alps to nearby Austria.
More Ofterschwang intelligence: trail map, snow report, webcams, resort overview.