
Rossfeld delivers a spectacular Alpine skiing experience straddling the German-Austrian border, with 6km of varied terrain reaching 1,600m. This historic mountain combines gentle learning slopes with several challenging runs, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Berchtesgaden Alps. The breathtaking panoramic views extending to Salzburg and the Tennengebirge mountains create an unforgettable skiing atmosphere rarely found in German resorts of this size.
Rossfeld above Berchtesgaden is a small, gentle ski area with seven runs and 8 kilometres of piste between 1,300 and 1,554 metres, a vertical of 254 metres. It is overwhelmingly easy, graded 88% beginner and 13% intermediate, so there is little here to challenge anyone who already skis confidently. Access is by road along the Rossfeld Panoramastrasse, and four T-bars serve the open slopes. The setting is wide, sunny meadow terrain close to the Austrian border, which gives it an airy feel that many bigger German hills lack.
This is a family and learner mountain first. Wide, forgiving slopes let children and first-timers build turns without anyone bearing down on them, and a small fun area near the top gives teenagers something to play on. The longer valley run down towards Oberau is the one route that stretches the day, although its condition depends on cover. Rossfeld works well as a half-day or day trip from Berchtesgaden or Salzburg, a place to teach a beginner rather than to chase vertical. Intermediates will tick it off quickly, so treat it as a gentle outing.
Rossfeld typically operates from December through March, with the most reliable conditions in January and February. The resort benefits from its elevated position in one of Bavaria's snowiest regions, with substantial natural snowfall creating excellent powder opportunities after storms. The predominantly north-facing slopes maintain good snow quality throughout the season, often preserving excellent conditions when lower areas struggle. The exceptional panoramic views make Rossfeld particularly appealing during clear, sunny days when the full Alpine panorama is visible.
Located near Berchtesgaden in southeastern Bavaria, Rossfeld sits approximately 160km from Munich and just 25km from Salzburg in Austria. The resort enjoys a spectacular position along the German-Austrian border, with the famous Rossfeld Panoramastraße providing access to some of the most impressive Alpine viewpoints in Germany. This unique location provides visitors with opportunities to experience both German and Austrian Alpine cultures. The historic town of Berchtesgaden offers excellent accommodation options and authentic dining serving regional specialties in an area renowned for its natural beauty and cultural significance.
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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.
More Rossfeld intelligence: snow report, lift system, webcams, resort overview.