Ski season 2018/19 starts soon
After last weekend’s snowfall, we’re getting pretty stoked for winter! Among the things we most look forward to are the dozens of parties, concerts and other events that ski resorts hold to celebrate the beginning of another ski season – and it looks we’ll definitely have something to celebrate this year. If you’ve not booked your ski holidays yet, check out this brief calendar of the hottest events in the Alps. France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, who cares as long as the beer is flowing and everybody’s in ski boots? Consult our list of popular ski resort opening dates in the Alps and get psyched – in just a couple of months you’ll be skiing!
The 33rd Kaunertal ski season opening from October 12-14, 2018 puts the emphasis on freestyle at the Kaunertal Glacier’s snow park. There’s also plenty going on in the evening – check out the live concerts and DJs, street food and movie premiere and round off the evening in one of the nightclubs. Up to 20km of slopes will be open as of the end of September.
Celebrate the beginning of ski season in your best dirndl and leather pants at the Stubai Glacier on October 13-14. The Bavarian-themed Oktoberfest has live music, costume contests and of course, beer! Stubai is often open in mid-September so this weekend promises to have some gnarly riding as well.
Oktoberfest season opening party at © Stubai
The FIS kicks off the 2018/19 Alpine Skiing World Cup season at Sölden-Hochsölden on October 26-28, 2018. This event will draw some of the biggest names in ski racing, and the rest of us can enthusiastically join in the partying at this popular Tyrolean ski resort. Sölden’s slopes usually open from mid-September, depending on snow conditions.
The official winter season kickoff at Pitztal Glacier is celebrated with Tyrol’s highest festival on a glacier, the Pitztal Glacier Ski & Show. Held on October 20 and 21 this year, you’ll find an opportunity to demo skis as well as partake in a delicious barbecue. Pitztal Glacier opens its slopes in September when snow coverage is good enough.
Diehard partyers won’t want to miss the WOW Glacier Love Festival, held at the Zell am See - Kaprun ski area from November 2-4, 2018. DJs and live acts in the village complement the winter sports actitivities at Kitzsteinhorn. The glacier ski area should be open as of mid-October.
Gurgl officially opens the 2018/19 ski season on November 15, kicking off a series of live music, boisterous après-ski parties and a massive ski opening party. Thanks to the high-altitude slopes, skiing should be great already by this weekend.
Ischgl's popular Top of the Mountain concerts are back for the 2018/19 ski season. The first one of the year is on November 24 and will see Jason Derulo perform on the town’s breathtaking open-air stage. The Silvretta Arena opens for skiing and boarding a few days before the Top of the Mountain concert.
Top of the Mountain concert © Ischgl
This winter, test out the latest snow gadgets at Val Thorens' ski season opening event, La Grande Première, from November 24-28. Featuring dozens of the biggest brands in the world of winter sports, you'll get the chance to test out the latest touring, freeride and freestyle skis and snowboards and see the professionals work their magic on the mini snow park and big air bags.
Ski season kick-off at Schladming is planned for December 1 this year, when the World Cup Park Planai stadium will transform into a massive dance floor. Expect pyrotechnics, light and show effects and a killer atmosphere with international DJs and no shortage of après-ski parties.
December 1 also marks the start of ski season 2018/19 at St. Anton am Arlberg and Lech am Arlberg. Party it up in the disco gondolas at Lech Zürs, or go to a live concert in St. Anton featuring Anastacia and special guest Melanie C. Don’t miss the season opening at Warth-Schröcken a week later.
Obertauern will officially kick off this year’s ski season on December 1 with a guest performance by Wanda. Thanks to the high-altitude slopes, Obertauern enjoys snow-sure conditions and will start the ski lifts running as early as November.
Ski season opening concert at © Obertauern
This December, Alta Badia will once again bring together some of the world’s best chef’s for a Michelin-starred brunch. Skiers and snowboarders can ski from mountain restaurant to mountain restaurant in order to savour the delicacies of each chef. Skiing at Alta Badia starts on December 1; the brunch is on December 17.
December 7-9, 2018 is the date of this year’s BERGFestival at Austrian ski giant Saalbach, this year featuring a long list of artists including Beatseaks and Seiler & Speer. This edition of the popular BERGFestival promises to light up Saalbach’s many nightclubs and mountain huts – don’t miss out!
The fourth edition of the Zermatt Fashion Weekend will take place in Zermatt from 13 to 16 December 2018. The exclusive event combines fashion with funky beats and culinary art. Young designers and major brands as well as watch and jewelery manufacturers show their latest collections. The catwalk is located overlooking the Matterhorn. To the ski resort Zermatt>
Rise and Fall at Mayrhofen brings together ski touring, paragliding, mountain biking and skiing in a frenzied race for gold on December 15, 2018. If defying death is not your thing, you can skip this part and enjoy the après-ski parties with live acts. Mayrhofen will open for skiing and boarding at the end of November.
Crazy antics at the © Mayrhofen Rise & Fall event
The six-day Rise Festival from December 15-21 at Les Deux Alpes is not just about skiing but also about wellbeing, with outdoor yoga sessions and relaxing spas. All this is set to the backdrop of an incredible music lineup and, of course, endless kilometres of perfectly prepared slopes.
Ski season 2018/19 starts soon
After last weekend’s snowfall, we’re getting pretty stoked for winter! Among the things we most look forward to are the dozens of parties, concerts and other events that ski resorts hold to celebrate the beginning of another ski season – and it looks we’ll definitely have something to celebrate this year. If you’ve not booked your ski holidays yet, check out this brief calendar of the hottest events in the Alps. France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, who cares as long as the beer is flowing and everybody’s in ski boots? Consult our list of popular ski resort opening dates in the Alps and get psyched – in just a couple of months you’ll be skiing!
The 33rd Kaunertal ski season opening from October 12-14, 2018 puts the emphasis on freestyle at the Kaunertal Glacier’s snow park. There’s also plenty going on in the evening – check out the live concerts and DJs, street food and movie premiere and round off the evening in one of the nightclubs. Up to 20km of slopes will be open as of the end of September.
Celebrate the beginning of ski season in your best dirndl and leather pants at the Stubai Glacier on October 13-14. The Bavarian-themed Oktoberfest has live music, costume contests and of course, beer! Stubai is often open in mid-September so this weekend promises to have some gnarly riding as well.
Oktoberfest season opening party at © Stubai
The FIS kicks off the 2018/19 Alpine Skiing World Cup season at Sölden-Hochsölden on October 26-28, 2018. This event will draw some of the biggest names in ski racing, and the rest of us can enthusiastically join in the partying at this popular Tyrolean ski resort. Sölden’s slopes usually open from mid-September, depending on snow conditions.
The official winter season kickoff at Pitztal Glacier is celebrated with Tyrol’s highest festival on a glacier, the Pitztal Glacier Ski & Show. Held on October 20 and 21 this year, you’ll find an opportunity to demo skis as well as partake in a delicious barbecue. Pitztal Glacier opens its slopes in September when snow coverage is good enough.
Diehard partyers won’t want to miss the WOW Glacier Love Festival, held at the Zell am See - Kaprun ski area from November 2-4, 2018. DJs and live acts in the village complement the winter sports actitivities at Kitzsteinhorn. The glacier ski area should be open as of mid-October.
Gurgl officially opens the 2018/19 ski season on November 15, kicking off a series of live music, boisterous après-ski parties and a massive ski opening party. Thanks to the high-altitude slopes, skiing should be great already by this weekend.
Ischgl's popular Top of the Mountain concerts are back for the 2018/19 ski season. The first one of the year is on November 24 and will see Jason Derulo perform on the town’s breathtaking open-air stage. The Silvretta Arena opens for skiing and boarding a few days before the Top of the Mountain concert.
Top of the Mountain concert © Ischgl
This winter, test out the latest snow gadgets at Val Thorens' ski season opening event, La Grande Première, from November 24-28. Featuring dozens of the biggest brands in the world of winter sports, you'll get the chance to test out the latest touring, freeride and freestyle skis and snowboards and see the professionals work their magic on the mini snow park and big air bags.
Ski season kick-off at Schladming is planned for December 1 this year, when the World Cup Park Planai stadium will transform into a massive dance floor. Expect pyrotechnics, light and show effects and a killer atmosphere with international DJs and no shortage of après-ski parties.
December 1 also marks the start of ski season 2018/19 at St. Anton am Arlberg and Lech am Arlberg. Party it up in the disco gondolas at Lech Zürs, or go to a live concert in St. Anton featuring Anastacia and special guest Melanie C. Don’t miss the season opening at Warth-Schröcken a week later.
Obertauern will officially kick off this year’s ski season on December 1 with a guest performance by Wanda. Thanks to the high-altitude slopes, Obertauern enjoys snow-sure conditions and will start the ski lifts running as early as November.
Ski season opening concert at © Obertauern
This December, Alta Badia will once again bring together some of the world’s best chef’s for a Michelin-starred brunch. Skiers and snowboarders can ski from mountain restaurant to mountain restaurant in order to savour the delicacies of each chef. Skiing at Alta Badia starts on December 1; the brunch is on December 17.
December 7-9, 2018 is the date of this year’s BERGFestival at Austrian ski giant Saalbach, this year featuring a long list of artists including Beatseaks and Seiler & Speer. This edition of the popular BERGFestival promises to light up Saalbach’s many nightclubs and mountain huts – don’t miss out!
The fourth edition of the Zermatt Fashion Weekend will take place in Zermatt from 13 to 16 December 2018. The exclusive event combines fashion with funky beats and culinary art. Young designers and major brands as well as watch and jewelery manufacturers show their latest collections. The catwalk is located overlooking the Matterhorn. To the ski resort Zermatt>
Rise and Fall at Mayrhofen brings together ski touring, paragliding, mountain biking and skiing in a frenzied race for gold on December 15, 2018. If defying death is not your thing, you can skip this part and enjoy the après-ski parties with live acts. Mayrhofen will open for skiing and boarding at the end of November.
Crazy antics at the © Mayrhofen Rise & Fall event
The six-day Rise Festival from December 15-21 at Les Deux Alpes is not just about skiing but also about wellbeing, with outdoor yoga sessions and relaxing spas. All this is set to the backdrop of an incredible music lineup and, of course, endless kilometres of perfectly prepared slopes.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
