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Latest in Zermatt
Unstable Glacier Above Randa Puts Zermatt-Area Village on Alert
A hanging glacier above the Swiss village of Randa, just south of Zermatt, has been shedding large chunks of ice for weeks, with authorities warning more break-offs are likely. A danger zone has been closed off since June, though officials say the village's 479 residents aren't at risk. It's a familiar pattern for this glacier - it's done this before, in 1819, 1972 and 1973 - but a reminder of how closely Alpine authorities now watch terrain once considered stable.
Michael Fulton
Zermatt Suspends Summer Skiing on the Theodul Glacier With Immediate Effect
Zermatt has suspended public summer skiing on the Theodul Glacier, the first time it's shut down since 2022. Persistent heat, warm nights that won't let the snowpack refreeze, and repeated thunderstorms are behind the call, according to Zermatt Bergbahnen. Selected Swiss-Ski teams can keep training on a limited basis, and the squad still flies to Chile as planned on August 27. With Hintertux already on its seasonal break, only Stelvio and Saas-Fee remain open for summer skiing in the Alps.
Michael Fulton
Zermatt Replaces Its Oldest Chairlift: New Patrullarve Six-Seater Ready for 2026-27 Season
Zermatt's Matterhorn Ski Paradise is replacing the Patrullarve chairlift this summer - the oldest lift in the ski area, having operated since 1989. The replacement is a detachable six-seater built on Leitner's Ropera technology, targeting completion before the 2026-27 season. Construction is underway now in the Patrullarve-Sunnegga-Blauherd area.
Michael Fulton
European Alps Snow Forecast: 20-30cm Expected This Week
A modest cold front will deliver snow to high-altitude European resorts from Monday through Thursday, with the western and southern Alps favoured. Val Thorens and Cervinia could see up to 30cm, while many Austrian resorts miss out entirely. Snow levels fluctuate between 1,800-2,400 metres.
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
Ikon Pass Expands to Valle d'Aosta: Analysing the Change & New Resorts
Ikon Pass adds Valle d'Aosta for 2025-26, granting access to five Italian ski areas. We examine the implications for passholders and the broader European ski market.
Michael Fulton
Cervinia's €200M Lift Overhaul: Tripling Capacity to Zermatt
Cervino S.p.A. unveils 'Cervino - The One' project, a €200 million upgrade set to transform the Italian-Swiss connection at Matterhorn Ski Paradise. The plan promises faster access and increased capacity, but questions remain about implementation and impact.
Michael Fulton
Top 13 Priciest European Ski Property Markets Revealed
UBS study uncovers soaring prices in Alpine ski home markets, with Swiss resorts leading in cost and French destinations boasting the largest markets.
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
Swiss Alps Hit by Massive 89-Inch Snowfall in 48 Hours
Switzerland's Simplon region experiences record-breaking snowfall, with 89 inches falling in just two days at Bortelsee station, setting new national records for short-term snow accumulation.
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
Skiing in Europe Is Amazing, But Which Pass Takes You Further
Planning a ski trip to the Alps? This guide breaks down the European resort access offered by major ski passes, helping you choose the best option for your Alpine adventure.
Michael Fulton
Latest News
More from the SnowStash desk
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
Vermont Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Few Dates Set, Killington Waits on the Cold
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.
9 Oct 2026
Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships President Resigns Ahead of Fraud Hearing
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.
9 Oct 2026
Kelly Canyon, Idaho, Adds Snowmaking, a Bigger Terrain Park and More Parking for 2026-27
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.
9 Oct 2026
Valle Nevado Extends Season to November 8 After 108 cm in 48 Hours
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.
9 Oct 2026
Alps Snow Forecast: Cold Front Brings Thursday Snow to the High Alps
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.
8 Oct 2026
California Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Mammoth Leads, Tahoe Follows
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.
7 Oct 2026
Colorado Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: A-Basin and Keystone Race to Be First
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.
5 Oct 2026