2013-2014 Ski Season - early opening dates

So you had to wait all summer long but finally winter is here and ski resorts across Europe and North America are opening again. Checkout the schedule for some of the early season ski resorts in Europe.

12^th October: Tignes glacier

Tignes is already open with the Grande Motte glacier skiable from the 12 ^th October. By mid November over 40% of the Tignes runs are open for skiing. The Stubai Glacier in the Austrian Tyrol also opened on the 12 ^th October, ringing in the new season in style with the Stubai Glacier Oktoberfest.

26^th October: Les Deux Alpes glacier

The Les Deux Alpes glacier officialy opens on 30 ^th Nov but if you can’t wait that long there is a sneak preview on the weekend of 26 ^th Oct as part of the "Ski and Test & Rock 'n Roll" event where you can try out all the latest ski gear.

9^th November: Zell am See - Kaprun

Zell am See - Kaprun kicks off with the White Start Games on the weekend of Nov. 9-10. Early season skiing is always good on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.

14^th November: Obergurgl-Hochgurgl

With one of the best snow records in Austria Obergurgl is always an early opener. With 13 lifts already open the ski conditions are good for this tie of the year and you can even ski down to the village on certain run. A good spot for some early season skiing !!

20^th November: Obertauren

Obertauren's official ski season opening is 28 ^th Nov but the resort is opening briefly on 20 ^th Nov with an open air concert from Austrian electro pop band Parov Stelar Band.

28^th November: Ischgl

Always an early one, Ischgl opens with a reduced lift pass between 28 ^th Nov and 20^th Dec. The Canadian rockers, Nickleback, are playing on the 30 ^th as part of the legendary Top of the Mountain opening concert.

30^th November: Val Thorens, Val d'Isere, Mayrhofen, Cauterets, Montgenevre

The weekend of the 30^th see the first bunch of non glacier resorts open. Val Thorens opens on 23^rd November with the annual ski testing 'Ski Force Winter Tour' but the main action starts on the 30th. Val d'Isere, Les 2 Alpes, Mayrhofen, Montgenevre and Schladming all kick off their season on the 30^th as do several of the Pyrenees ski resorts such as Cauterets, Pyrénées 2000, Angles and Piau Engaly.

The real 2013/2014 season kick-off

The weekend of 6-7^th Dec is when the 2013/14 ski season really gets underway with the opening of over 30 ski resorts in France, including Alpe d'Huez, Courchevel, Les Orres, La Clusaz , La Plagne, Chamonix and Isola 2000 as well as lots of the big Austrian resorts such as St. Anton am Arlberg.

The other ski resorts around Europe gradually open from 14 ^th Dec through to 21^st Dec just in time for some Christmas skiing.