
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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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.
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More Ofterschwang intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.