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Latest in Valais
Fatal Explosion at Crans-Montana Claims Multiple Lives on New Year's Morning
A fatal explosion at a bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana has killed multiple people and injured others in the early hours of New Year's Day. The cause of the blast at Le Constellation bar remains under investigation, with authorities yet to determine whether it was accidental or deliberate.
Michael Fulton
Zermatt Replaces Gifthittli Six-Seater with Eight-Seater Chairlift
Zermatt has opened a new eight-seater chairlift to replace the 21-year-old Gifthittli six-seater. The CHF 25 million upgrade brings incremental capacity improvements and modern features to a critical mid-mountain connector, though the investment raises questions about priorities in an increasingly competitive Swiss market.
Michael Fulton
Verbier Opens Early for 2025-26 Season Following November Snowfall
Verbier has opened for the 2025-26 season on 1 November after receiving 40cm of snow at higher elevations. The early opening is notable for a non-glacier resort in the Alps, though questions remain about terrain coverage and snow depth sustainability.
Michael Fulton
Crans-Montana's Mountain Biking Expansion: A New Chapter for Alpine Tourism
Crans-Montana is set to transform its summer tourism with a major focus on mountain biking, including new trails, gravel routes, and hosting the 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.
Michael Fulton
Climate Change and Mountain Instability in Swiss Alps
Recent evacuations in Swiss Alpine villages highlight the increasing risks of landslides and debris flows. This article explores the complex factors behind mountain instability and the challenges of predicting such events in a changing climate.
Michael Fulton
Five Skiers Found Dead Near Zermatt After Avalanche
In a tragic incident near Zermatt, Switzerland, the bodies of five skiers were discovered in avalanche debris. The group went missing during an ascent of the Rimpfischhorn, prompting a search operation.
Michael Fulton
Landslide Risk Prompts Evacuation of Swiss Mountain Village
The village of Blatten in Switzerland's Valais canton has been evacuated due to significant landslide risk. Ongoing geological instability and recent rockfalls have forced authorities to take immediate action to ensure residents' safety.
Michael Fulton
Fatal Avalanche Claims Two Backcountry Skiers Near Saas-Fee
A tragic avalanche incident on the Alphubel peak in Switzerland's Valais region has resulted in the deaths of two backcountry skiers, highlighting the persistent dangers in high-altitude terrain.
Michael Fulton
Major Snowstorm Closes Ski Resorts and Transport Routes in Swiss Alps
A powerful late-season snowstorm has shut down ski areas and major transport routes in southern Switzerland and northern Italy, raising avalanche risks to maximum levels and isolating mountain communities.
Michael Fulton
Two Fatal Avalanches in Swiss Alps Highlight Evolving Danger Scale
Recent avalanche incidents in Switzerland's Valais Alps underscore the importance of the new three-tiered danger scale developed by the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research.
Michael Fulton
Latest News
More from the SnowStash desk
Val Gardena to Alpe di Siusi Lift Link Back in Play After Court Ruling
The Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi lift link isn’t dead after all. A South Tyrol court has overturned Santa Cristina’s rejection of the new Monte Pana-Saltria link on procedural grounds, after the council skipped required public information sessions. Opponents want the missing sessions held and a fresh vote, and nothing has been approved. For now it’s still a bus between the two, but a plan first floated in 2017 is back in the conversation.
8 Nov 2026
Whistler Blackcomb Rockslide Zone Stays Closed Through 2026-27 Season
A section of Whistler Peak terrain will stay closed all 2026-27 season, Vail Resorts has confirmed, with rockslide mitigation work continuing into summer 2027. Peak Express is still expected to run this winter, but locals are already arguing about what’s actually off limits, whether the Whistler Bowl is gone, and why the news landed after pass sales wound down. Here’s where things stand.
7 Nov 2026
Loveland Ski Area Opens for 2026-27 and Marks 60 Years of Snowmaking
Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.
7 Nov 2026
KFC Is Coming to the Slopes at Cortina and Madonna di Campiglio
Fried chicken is heading up the Dolomites. From 5 December KFC will run two restaurants on the slopes - one at 2,123 metres at Cortina, one at 1,700 metres at Madonna di Campiglio - and the polenta-and-canederli crowd has opinions. Local politicians, conservation groups and plenty of Facebook commenters are calling it a step too far, while others just want a cheaper lunch. Here’s what’s on the menu and what’s the fuss.
5 Nov 2026
Mt Rose Aims to Open First in Tahoe on November 6
Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.
4 Nov 2026
Europe Snow Forecast: Serre Chevalier Leads With 82 cm Over the Next 10 Days
Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.
4 Nov 2026
Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.
3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026