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Latest in French Alps
Les 2 Alpes Extends Season Through July, But Is Summer Glacier Skiing Worth It?
Les 2 Alpes operates its glacier terrain until 5 July with discounted passes, positioning itself as a rare summer skiing option in the Alps. Whether the reduced terrain and conditions justify the trip depends largely on what you're after.
Michael Fulton
Val d'Isère Avalanche Deaths Raise Questions About Off-Piste Guiding During Red Alerts
Two British skiers died in a Val d'Isère avalanche whilst skiing off-piste with a guide during a rare red avalanche alert. French authorities have launched a manslaughter investigation into the incident that killed Stuart Leslie, 46, and Shaun Overy, 51.
Michael Fulton
Eurostar Snow Train Expands Service: A Critical Look at UK-Alps Ski Travel
Eurostar's expanded Snow train service for 2025-26 promises easier access to French Alps resorts. But what does this really mean for UK skiers and riders?
Michael Fulton
Unexpected July Snowfall in French Alps
A recent cold snap has brought snow to the French Alps in July, with snowfall recorded at altitudes above 2,300m. This unusual weather event has captured attention, though experts note it's not unprecedented for the region.
Michael Fulton
Summer Skiing Returns to Tignes' Grande Motte Glacier
Tignes reopens its Grande Motte glacier for summer skiing, joining other Alpine resorts offering high-altitude snow sports amidst warm weather challenges.
Michael Fulton
Tragic Loss: 18-Year-Old French Ski Champion Dies in Training Accident
Margot Simond, a promising young French ski champion, tragically lost her life during a training session in Val d'Isère. The skiing community mourns the loss of this talented athlete.
Michael Fulton
Val Thorens Avalanches: Ski Area Closure and Critical Injury
Multiple avalanches in Val Thorens, France, have led to the closure of the ski area and left one person critically injured. Local authorities have raised the avalanche risk to its maximum level.
Michael Fulton
Summer Skiing in French Alps: 2025 Plans Unveiled
Three French ski resorts have announced their summer skiing schedules for 2025, offering skiers and riders the chance to hit the slopes well after the traditional winter season ends.
Michael Fulton
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More from the SnowStash desk
Arizona Snowbowl's $1 Lift Tickets Are Hard to Find, but $9 Days Are Not
Arizona Snowbowl advertised eight $1 lift ticket days this winter. Go looking and only three are showing - 10 March, 1 April and 10 April - so the rest may already have gone. The consolation is a calendar full of $9 days, including all but one day in April. Opening day is 20 November, weather permitting, and opening weekend is $19.
2 Oct 2026
Whitewater Brings Its Short Side Inbounds, With Six New Runs for 2026-27
For years, Whitewater's Short Side was where you ducked a rope and hoped for the best: unmapped, ungroomed and unpatrolled. This winter it's inbounds. Six new runs of glades and fall-line skiing add 190 acres (about 77 hectares), taking the resort past 1,400 acres in total. F2 Logging spent a month in the trees to make it happen, and opening day is pencilled in for 4 December. Bonanza now needs less snow to groom, too.
1 Oct 2026
September Dusting Hits Mammoth Mountain Six Weeks Before Opening Day
Mammoth got its first snow of 2026-27 on Monday 28 September - and promptly lost it by Tuesday morning. Barely an inch fell at McCoy Station, but with opening day pencilled in for Friday 13 November, it's the first sign the Sierra is waking up. Last year's date slipped from 14 November to 20 November, so nobody's booking flights on a dusting just yet. Here's where California's early openers stand.
1 Oct 2026
Saalbach Hinterglemm Resort Review: 270 km of Piste, 70 Lifts and a Three-Resort Pass
Four connected areas, 70 lifts and a World Championship course, yet Saalbach Hinterglemm still runs like a family holiday. Two days on snow and a Worlds Super-G later, here is who it suits, what the Ski ALPIN CARD covers and why Epic Pass holders should pay attention. Big on blues, light on steeps.
30 Sept 2026
Sölden Plans Four-Race World Cup Opener on the Rettenbach Glacier from 2027
Sölden's World Cup opener has been two giant slaloms on the Rettenbach glacier for as long as most fans can remember. From 2027/28 it could be four. Director Jack Falkner wants to add two Super-Gs, backed by a nod from Vincent Kriechmayr, and turn the opening into a full week where the ski world gathers in the Ötztal. FIS and the ÖSV are yet to sign off. This year, it's still just the two GS races on 24 and 25 October.
29 Sept 2026
Hokkaido Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026/27: Sapporo Kokusai Leads Off on 20 November
Hokkaido's lift season now has dates. Sapporo Kokusai opens first on 20 November, Niseko United, Kiroro, Rusutsu and Furano follow on 28 November, and Kamui closes the list on 12 December. Everything hinges on snow, and with a strong El Niño in play, the JMA gives Hokkaido's Japan Sea side a 40% chance of below-normal snowfall. Honshu's Japan Sea coast looks shakier.
28 Sept 2026
Swiss Ski Resorts Post Second-Highest Winter Revenue on Record Despite a Warm Season
Switzerland logged 25.7 million ski days last winter, only 2.3% off the record, in a season that ranked sixth-warmest since records began. Revenue hit CHF 895.8 million, second only to 2024/25. Zermatt led on visits and takings, foreign guests hit a ten-year high, and 12 resorts never opened at all. Snowmaking, late storms and high altitude carried the numbers. Anything sitting at 1,000-1,200 m had a far rougher time.
26 Sept 2026
Aspen Snowmass Marks 80th Anniversary With $3.75 Throwback Lift Tickets
Aspen Snowmass turns 80 this December, and it's marking the milestone with $3.75 lift tickets on the anniversary itself - the original 1946 price. A discounted long weekend, $19.46 dining specials, lodging deals up to 46 percent off, and a season of anniversary programming round out the celebration across all four mountains.
17 Sept 2026