
Wurmberg stands as northern Germany's largest ski resort, offering 15km of varied terrain across the beautiful Harz Mountains. Rising to 971m, this impressive destination combines excellent intermediate slopes with dedicated learning areas and challenging forest runs. Despite its relatively modest altitude, Wurmberg delivers reliable skiing throughout winter thanks to substantial snowmaking investments, providing genuine mountain experiences just hours from major northern cities.
Wurmberg, above Braunlage in the Harz, is often described as the biggest ski area in northern Germany, with 16 runs over 12.2 kilometres from 565 to 970 metres. The vertical of 405 metres is respectable for the region. The Sanity grading is 82% beginner, 11% intermediate and 7% advanced, so the mountain is mostly easy ground with a short steeper streak. A gondola from Braunlage, a six-seat chair, a quad and three T-bars link the slopes, and extensive snowmaking helps keep the pistes open when natural cover is thin.
The Hexenritt is the piste people talk about, an old, steep descent that is the toughest on the mountain and well beyond most of the other terrain here. Everything else is gentle and wide, so learners and children can ski without much traffic pressure. Those with some experience will enjoy a handful of quicker reds, but the top-to-bottom sensation is short. Wurmberg suits beginners, families and day-trippers from Lower Saxony and beyond, and it is a good first ski area before moving on to bigger mountains in Austria or Switzerland.
Wurmberg typically operates from December through March, with the most reliable conditions in January and February. The resort has invested heavily in snowmaking technology, with extensive coverage ensuring consistent skiing regardless of natural snowfall patterns. The Harz Mountains microclimate often delivers surprising powder days, particularly during cold easterly weather patterns. The comprehensive grooming fleet maintains excellent piste conditions throughout the winter, even during challenging weather periods.
Located in Lower Saxony approximately 120km from Hannover and 170km from Leipzig, Wurmberg offers exceptional accessibility for northern Germany's population centers. The resort sits adjacent to the historic town of Braunlage, providing extensive accommodation and dining options. This central location within the Harz Mountains makes it an ideal destination for weekend trips and longer winter holidays. The surrounding Harz National Park offers additional winter activities including extensive cross-country skiing, winter hiking, and historic mining towns showcasing authentic northern German traditions.
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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.
More Wurmberg intelligence: trail map, lift system, resort overview.