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Winter Openings - Start of the Ski Season & Events

Two skiers on a groomed slope with snow-covered mountain range and valley in the background, blue sky.
Skiing again at last! All the dates for the start of the season in Austria's best ski resorts, including concerts and events!

The winter season openings in Austria mark the long-awaited start of the ski season for winter sports enthusiasts. When the first lifts in resorts such as Ischgl, Sölden, or Saalbach-Hinterglemm begin to operate, there's a palpable sense of excitement in the air. The anticipation of finally getting back on the slopes is tangible.

These days are often celebrated with major events, concerts, and sporting highlights. The first turn in fresh snow, the crisp mountain air, and the feeling of ushering in winter make the winter season openings a special experience for all winter sports lovers.

Please note:

Our list provides an overview of the season openings and events for each province. Please note that not all dates for the 2026/27 winter season are available yet. We are working to continuously add and update the information.
As weather conditions may lead to changes, please also check the website of the respective region or cable car operator, or contact the local tourism board directly.

Lower Austria

Annaberg
5 December 2026

Hochkar
4 December 2026, start of season*

Lackenhof am Ötscher
5 December 2026, start of season*

Mönichkirchen-Mariensee
5 December 2026

Puchberg am Schneeberg
no opening date known yet

Semmering
no opening date known yet

St. Corona/Wechsel
no opening date known yet

*with sufficient snow conditions

Operating times in Lower Austria

Upper Austria

Dachstein-West/Gosau
4 December 2026, start of season

Feuerkogel/Ebensee
12 December 2026, start of season

Hinterstoder/Pyhrn Priel
28 November 2026, start of season

Hochficht/Böhmerwald
no opening date known yet

Krippenstein Dachstein/Obertraun
19 December 2026, start of season

Wurzeralm/Spital am Pyhrn Priel
8 December 2026, start of season*

*with sufficient snow conditions

Operating hours in Upper Austria

Carinthia

Ankogel - Mallnitz
no opening date known yet

Bad Kleinkirchheim
no opening date known yet

Falkert/Heidi Alm
no opening date known yet

Gerlitzen Alpe
no opening date known yet

Goldeck
no opening date known yet

Heiligenblut am Grossglockner
18 December 2026

Hochrindl
no opening date known yet

Katschberg
4 December 2026

Klippitztörl
5 December 2026, start of season*

Mölltal Glacier
from October 2026 (depending on snow conditions)

Nassfeld
4 December 2026, snow-permitting

Turracher Höhe
no opening date known yet

*with sufficient snow conditions

Operating times in Carinthia

Styria

Die Tauplitz / Ausseerland - Salzkammergut
28 November 2026, start of season

Reiteralm & Fageralm / Schladming

Hauser Kaibling
snow-permitting in November 2026

Kreischberg / Murau
4 December 2026

Schladming-Dachstein region
no opening date known yet

Planai & Hochwurzen
4 December 2026 (Hochwurzen)

Ramsau am Dachstein
4 December 2026

Schönberg-Lachtal
no opening date known yet

Stuhleck – Spital am Semmering
no opening date known yet

Turracher Höhe
no opening date known yet

Operating times in Styria

SalzburgerLand

Abtenau/ Karkogel & Sonnleitn
no opening date known yet

Bramberg & Neunkirchen/ Wildkogel Arena
5 December 2026, start of season

Filzmoos
no opening date known yet

Gasteinertal
4 December 2026, Skischaukel Dorfgastein-Großarltal
11 December 2026, partial opening Skischaukel Schlossalm-Angertal-Stubnerkogel
18 December 2026, Sportgastein ski area

Grossarltal
no opening date known yet

Hochkönig
5 December 2026

Lungau SkiLungau

Mittersill - Hollersbach - Stuhlfelden/ Kitz Ski
no opening date known yet

Obertauern
no opening date known yet

Raurisertal
16 December 2026, start of the season

Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn
27 November 2026, start of season with partial operation
3 - 6 December 2026, BERGFESTival
10 - 13 December 2026, Rave on Snow Festival

Snow Space Salzburg (Flachau/St. Johann/Wagrain)
28 November 2026, start of season (snow permitting)

Werfenweng
no opening date known yet

Zell am See - Kaprun

Zillertal Arena: Wald-Königsleiten, Krimml
4 December 2026, start of season

Operating hours in SalzburgerLand

Tirol

Ski Juwel Alpbachtal - Wildschönau
4 December 2026, start of partial operation

Innsbruck and surroundings

Kaunertal Glacier
26 September 2026

Kitzbühel
21 November 2026, partial opening/weekends

Nauders
11 December 2026

East Tirol

Ötztal

Pitztal

Seefeld
no opening date known yet

Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
4 December 2026, start of season with partial operations
full operations from 19 December 2026

Skicircus: Fieberbrunn
27 November 2026

SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental
5 December 2026

St. Anton am Arlberg
2 December 2026
Stanton Ski Open 4 - 6 December 2026

St. Johann in Tirol
4 December 2026

Paznaun – Ischgl

Stubaital

Tiroler Zugspitzarena
18 December 2026

Zillertal

Top events at the start of winter in Tirol

Operating times in Tirol

Vorarlberg

Lech Zürs/Arlberg
2 December 2026

Bregenzerwald

Montafon

Großes Walsertal

*depending on snow conditions

Operating times in Vorarlberg

Highlights & ski opening concerts

Obertauern

Ski Opening Week will bring Die Fantastischen Vier to Obertauern on 28 November and Anastacia on 4 December 2026.

Learn more

Ischgl

Ischgl will kick off the winter season on 28 November 2026 with the Top of the Mountain Opening Concert: season start and live music against a stunning mountain backdrop.

Learn more

Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn

From 3 to 6 December 2026, the BERGFESTival will combine ski opening, rock open air and club parties at various locations.

Learn more

St. Anton am Arlberg

Stanton Ski Open, 4–6 December 2026: Free ski and snowboard trials, live music on three stages, food trucks and free entry to the festival site.

Learn more

Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn

Four days, 60 artists, 13 stages and more than 50 hours of music from 10 - 13 December 2026 kick-off the new winter season here with Rave on Snow!

Learn more

Schladming-Dachstein

The Schladming-Dachstein Ski Opening on 11 December 2026 will be all about Helene Fischer. The Planai Stadium will once again be transformed into a concert venue.

Learn more

Hochzeiger

At the Hochzeiger Openair on 12 December 2026, Sportfreunde Stiller will create unforgettable live concert moments. Free admission with a valid mountain lift ticket.

Learn more

FAQ

A winter opening marks the official start of the ski season in Austria's ski resorts. In addition to the first days on freshly groomed powder snow slopes, events, live concerts and parties await you. Whether it's a ski opening, snowboard test or live acts – winter openings combine sport and entertainment, creating the perfect start to your winter holiday.

In the glacier ski areas, the first winter openings start as early as September or October. Most ski resorts open their slopes between late November and early December, depending on snow conditions.

At a winter opening in Austria, you will experience the perfect blend of sport and entertainment. Highlights include free ski and snowboard tests, live concerts by international top acts, legendary après-ski parties and sporting side events. Whether in Ischgl, Schladming, Obertauern or on the Arlberg – each ski resort has its own unique character. What they all have in common is that music, atmosphere and skiing fun are the focus at the start of the season.

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