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Latest in Sölden
Pinheiro Braathen Wins Sölden Giant Slalom Opener by 0.48 Seconds
Two days at Sölden, two races decided by a hundredth somewhere on the podium, and one very quick Brazilian. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen led from the first run to win the men’s World Cup opener by 0.48 seconds, with Loïc Meillard second and Marco Odermatt third. River Radamus charged from 15th to fourth on a rutted course, and Britain’s Freddy Carrick-Smith banked his first World Cup points. Braathen still hasn’t lost a giant slalom since Olympic gold.
Michael Fulton
Europe Ski Resorts Open Now: What Is Skiable in Mid-October 2026
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.
Michael Fulton
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.
Michael Fulton
Sölden's Old Einzeiger Chairlift Gets a Second Life in Montafon
Silvretta Montafon is replacing its ageing Freda chairlift - but not with something new. The resort is having a 1999 four-seater chairlift, retired from Sölden, dismantled, shipped to Vorarlberg and rebuilt with new electronics, cable and clamps. It has to be running before March 2027, when Silvretta Montafon hosts the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships - the biggest winter sports event Vorarlberg has staged. Here's how a reused lift ends up cheaper.
Michael Fulton
Spring Glacier Skiing in Tyrol: Five Resorts Still Open Above 3,000 Metres
While most Austrian ski resorts have closed for the season, Tyrol's five glacier ski areas are still running well into spring. Hintertux, Pitztal, Stubai, Sölden, and Kaunertal all operate above 3,000 metres, offering reliable snow, warmer temperatures, and quieter slopes for anyone chasing late-season turns.
Michael Fulton
FIS Alpine World Cup 2025-26: Men's Calendar Rebalanced After Speed Skier Complaints
The FIS has adjusted the 2025-26 men's Alpine World Cup calendar, adding more downhill events after speed specialists voiced concerns. The revised schedule aims to create a more equitable playing field for the Overall Season Trophy.
Michael Fulton
Alpine Ski World Cup 2025/2026 Schedule Released
The FIS has announced the full schedule for the Alpine Ski World Cup 2025/2026 season, featuring over 80 races across iconic and new venues. The season kicks off in Sölden and concludes in Lillehammer, with the Winter Olympics in Italy as the highlight.
Michael Fulton
Sölden's Ski Infrastructure Upgrade: New 8-Seater Chairlift and Slope Connections
Sölden ski resort is set to enhance its lift system with a new 8-seater chairlift 'Silberbrünnl' and improved slope connections, offering skiers and riders better access and more diverse terrain options.
Michael Fulton
Sölden Joins Epic Pass for 2025/26 Ski Season
Vail Resorts adds Sölden, Austria to the Epic Pass lineup for the 2025/26 ski season, offering pass holders access to this high-altitude resort known for its reliable snow and modern amenities.
Michael Fulton
Women's Alpine Skiing: 2024/25 Season Highlights
The 2024/25 women's Alpine skiing season saw remarkable performances from veterans and newcomers alike. From Federica Brignone's record-breaking wins to Mikaela Shiffrin's 100th victory, the season was filled with memorable moments and achievements.
Michael Fulton
Fresh Powder at Sölden: Exploring the Gaislachkogl Peak
Experience day two at Sölden ski resort during a perfect powder day. Follow my journey as I swap skis for a snowboard and explore the massive Gaislachkogl area, discover James Bond filming locations, and complete Austria's longest connected ski run from 3340m down to 1363m.
Michael Fulton
Exploring Sölden: Austria's Massive Dual Glacier Resort
Discover the immense scale of Sölden ski resort with its impressive 31 lifts, 3 peaks over 3,000m, and 2 glaciers spanning 145km of varied terrain. Follow my journey through this Austrian giant that outclasses even North America's largest resorts.
Michael Fulton
FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Season Opener in Sölden, Austria
The 2024-25 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup season kicks off this weekend in Sölden, Austria, featuring the women's and men's Giant Slalom events. Skiers and fans alike are gearing up for an action-packed weekend of world-class alpine racing, with competitions scheduled for October 26 and 27. U.S. viewers can catch the events live on Peacock, with additional coverage on various networks throughout the season.
Michael Fulton
Latest News
More from the SnowStash desk
Pinheiro Braathen Wins Sölden Giant Slalom Opener by 0.48 Seconds
Two days at Sölden, two races decided by a hundredth somewhere on the podium, and one very quick Brazilian. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen led from the first run to win the men’s World Cup opener by 0.48 seconds, with Loïc Meillard second and Marco Odermatt third. River Radamus charged from 15th to fourth on a rutted course, and Britain’s Freddy Carrick-Smith banked his first World Cup points. Braathen still hasn’t lost a giant slalom since Olympic gold.
25 Oct 2026
Alps Snow Forecast: Up to 64 cm Headed for the High Glaciers as the Snow Line Drops
The Alps are about to swap mild, sunny October weather for something far more wintry. A cold front arrives Tuesday, and SnowStash forecasts have Monterosa Ski out in front with 64 cm over 14 days, ahead of Blatten Belalp (55 cm) and Verbier (43 cm). The snow line should fall below 2000 metres by Wednesday night, and glaciers across Switzerland, Italy and Austria are in line for the best of it. The wind will have a say too.
20 Oct 2026
Four Dead After Avalanche Near Ski Portillo in Chile
A large avalanche struck near Laguna del Inca adjacent to Ski Portillo on Saturday afternoon, killing four people and injuring four others. The group were day visitors mountaineering in the backcountry after reportedly being warned about elevated avalanche risk by resort staff.
18 Oct 2026
Europe Ski Resorts Open Now: What Is Skiable in Mid-October 2026
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.
14 Oct 2026
Zermatt Plans World Cup Downhill Return on the Gornergrat for 2028
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.
14 Oct 2026
Mt. Rose Begins Snowmaking for the 2026-27 Season at Lake Tahoe
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.
13 Oct 2026
Utah Ski Resorts 2026-27: What’s New at Alta, Deer Valley, Powder Mountain and More
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.
13 Oct 2026
Mt Hutt Invests NZ$12 Million in Base Area, Tripling Its Sun Deck
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.
11 Oct 2026