Ski News 2026/27: Freddy Carrick-Smith Makes British Ski Racing History, First Snowfalls and What's New This Winter

October 2026 - Latest Ski News

Freddy Carrick-Smith Makes British Ski Racing History in Sölden

What a way to kick off the season! Britain's Freddy Carrick-Smith has delivered a landmark performance at the opening men's giant slalom World Cup race in Sölden, Austria, finishing an extraordinary 12th.

The 19-year-old started with bib number 46 and was sitting joint 21st after his first run before climbing nine places in the second to secure the best-ever British men's giant slalom result since the modern World Cup circuit began in 1967.

It was only Carrick-Smith's fifth World Cup start and a huge result for one of Britain's most exciting young alpine racers. The performance also earned Britain an additional World Cup giant slalom starting place, potentially opening the door for his brother Zak.

Read more at GB Snowsport and if you'd like to help support Freddy and his brothers Zak and Luka as they continue to make their mark on the international ski racing circuit, you can contribute to the Carrick-Smith brothers' 2026/27 season fundraising campaign here

The First Lifts Are Turning – But Where Can You Ski Right Now?

The wait is finally over in parts of the Alps, with glacier skiing already underway in Austria and Switzerland.

Austria has led the early-season charge, with Hintertux, Sölden, Stubai, Pitztal and Kitzsteinhorn offering autumn skiing. Saas-Fee and Zermatt are also among the options for anyone desperate to get their first turns in.

Across the Atlantic, Colorado's high-altitude resorts are gearing up for their first openings, while Japan's Snow Park Yeti near Mount Fuji has traditionally been one of the country's earliest resorts to open, thanks to machine-made snow.

First Ski Resort Opening Dates for Winter 2026/27

With the season gathering pace, here are some of the key opening dates to have on your radar.

Opening dates are provisional and depend on snow conditions, weather and operational decisions. Check individual resort websites before travelling.

Early-Season Snow Depths in the Alps

Austria's glaciers are already reporting settled snow at altitude, although conditions vary considerably between resorts and elevations.

Here are some of the reported depths from 22 October:

These are dated mountain measurements, not fresh snowfall totals or current village-level depths.

Scotland Gets Its First Taste of Winter

There was an encouraging sight for Scottish skiers in early October, with Cairngorm Mountain reporting its first dusting of snow on 7 October, almost three weeks earlier than last year.

Of course, an October dusting is no guarantee of a bumper winter, but it was enough to get Scottish skiers dreaming of the first proper turns of the season.

We'll be keeping an eye on conditions at Cairngorm, Glencoe, Glenshee, Nevis Range and The Lecht as winter develops.

Chamonix's Les Grands Montets Gets a Major Lift Upgrade

One of Chamonix's most celebrated ski areas is entering a new era, with the first section of a new cable car connecting Argentière to the Lognan Plateau scheduled to open in December 2026.

The new installation marks a significant step in the redevelopment of Les Grands Montets, promising a more comfortable journey into some of the valley's most spectacular high-mountain terrain.

Les Arcs Introduces Quieter 'Easy Ski' Routes

Getting back to resort at the end of the day should be enjoyable, not an exercise in dodging everyone else on the mountain.

That's the thinking behind new Easy Ski routes in Les Arcs, designed to guide less confident skiers towards quieter descents and avoid the busiest pistes wherever possible.

The initiative is part of a wider effort to improve slope safety and make the mountain more welcoming to beginners and families.

Electric Skiing Comes to Samoëns

Electric skiing? Yes, really.

Samoëns is offering visitors the chance to try Skwheel, an unusual electric-powered activity that combines elements of skiing and roller sports.

The experience takes place away from the traditional ski slopes, with supervised one-hour sessions advertised from €29 for participants aged 14 and over. An intriguing option for anyone looking to try something completely different.

Le Grand-Bornand Adds Snow Tubing

Skiing not quite fast enough for you?

Le Grand-Bornand is introducing a 160-metre snow tubing run, with a maximum gradient of 15% and reported speeds of up to 25mph.

The new attraction promises a descent lasting less than 22 seconds and is suitable for children aged three and over, adding another family-friendly option to the resort's growing range of winter activities.

Japan: Niseko Invests in New Lifts

Big changes are underway in Niseko, where several lift upgrades are set to improve access across the famous Hokkaido ski area.

At Niseko Village, the first section of the new eight-person Mori-no Gondola is scheduled to open for winter 2026/27, replacing the existing double chairlift. Once completed, the approximately 2km gondola will connect the resort base with upper-mountain terrain.

Grand Hirafu is also upgrading its Ace #3 lift from a two-person to a four-person chair, more than doubling its hourly capacity.

The investments are part of a wider programme of improvements across Niseko United, with further upgrades planned in the coming years.

USA: Sun Valley Unveils New Lifts and Expanded Terrain

Idaho's Sun Valley is preparing for a significant winter, with two new high-speed chairlifts, expanded gladed terrain and improved snowmaking.

The new Lookout Express six-seater and Christmas quad are scheduled to open in December 2026, improving access and capacity across Bald Mountain.

The resort is also preparing to welcome the world's best alpine racers for the FIS Ski World Cup Finals in March 2027.

Canada: Whistler Blackcomb Improves Glacier Access

Whistler Blackcomb is investing in improved access to its high-alpine terrain, with the new Showcase Chair replacing the existing T-bar for winter 2026/27.

The upgrade should make accessing Blackcomb's glacier skiing easier and more comfortable, particularly for visitors less familiar with surface lifts.

The Canadian resort is also refreshing its on-mountain dining, with upgrades to several popular restaurants and mountain terraces.

Elsewhere in British Columbia, Fernie, Kimberley and Kicking Horse are among the resorts investing in lift infrastructure.

Finland: Tahko's €14 Million Mountain Makeover

Finland's Tahko ski resort is investing €14 million in a major upgrade of its mountain facilities.

The centrepiece is the new Tahko Mountain Express, a six-person chairlift capable of carrying up to 3,200 skiers per hour.

The project also includes improved snowmaking, lighting and stored-snow technology, which should help the resort open as early as 13 November and provide greater certainty at the start of the season.

Night Running, Illuminated Ski Touring and Full Moon Skiing

Who says the mountain fun has to stop when the lifts close?

Les 2 Alpes – Les Lumières de la Muzelle, January 2027

Trail running gets a winter makeover in Les 2 Alpes, where Les Lumières de la Muzelle sees runners tackling snowy mountain trails after dark.

With distances of 11km, 16km, 21km and 42km, the event promises a rather different perspective on the resort, with headtorches, snow-covered trails and the mountains providing a spectacular backdrop.

Les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville – Belleville Light Tour

A new illuminated night ski touring event comes to Les Menuires in January and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville in March.

Designed to welcome a range of abilities, the event combines the experience of climbing on skis after dark with the atmosphere of a mountain gathering.

La Clusaz – Full Moon Ski, 23 January 2027

La Clusaz's Full Moon skiing event returns on 23 January, offering skiers the chance to experience the mountain after dark.

A brilliant excuse to extend the ski day well into the evening.

The Kandahar Returns to Chamonix

30 January 2027

World Cup racing returns to the legendary Verte des Houches as Chamonix hosts the men's Kandahar on 30 January.

One of the most celebrated fixtures in alpine skiing, the race will see the world's best tackle one of the sport's most demanding courses.

Rock the Pistes Returns to the Portes du Soleil

14–20 March 2027

Live music meets lift-accessed adventure when Rock the Pistes returns to the Portes du Soleil for a week of high-altitude concerts.

The festival brings French and international acts, including Superbus and Nèg' Marrons, to stages dotted around the ski area, with performances accessible on skis and included with a valid lift pass.

Alpine Ski World Cup Finals Return to Sun Valley

March 2027

The world's top alpine racers will head to Idaho in March as Sun Valley hosts the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Finals.

Following the resort's major infrastructure upgrades, the event promises to be one of the standout dates on the North American ski calendar.

Morzine Welcomes Two Revamped Hotels

Two familiar Morzine addresses are getting a new lease of life this winter.

At the foot of the Pléney slopes, Le Tremplin is unveiling 13 premium suites, while Garance, formerly Les Airelles, is reopening as a 65-room, four-star hotel with a spacious wellness area and Alpine brasserie.

Michelin-Starred Mountain Dining in Abondance

There's another reason for food-loving skiers to explore the Portes du Soleil this winter.

Chalet Flachaire in Abondance earned its first Michelin star in March 2026, bringing fresh recognition to its contemporary cuisine rooted in local mountain produce.

Inghams Expands Flexible Ski Holidays and Rail Options

More flexibility and fewer flights are among the developments from Inghams for winter 2026/27.

The operator is introducing flexible departure dates to Chamonix and expanding rail-accessible holidays, with 75% of its French ski resorts now reachable by train.

There's also a new option to fly in one direction and travel by train in the other, giving holidaymakers more freedom to mix and match their journeys, alongside new Interlaken offerings.

Skiing by Train - More Ways to Reach the Mountains

Rail travel continues to gain ground as an alternative to flying or driving to the Alps, with more operators recognising the appeal of reaching ski resorts without airport queues, baggage restrictions and lengthy transfers.

For British skiers, combining Eurostar and onward European rail services can open up destinations in France, Switzerland and Austria, while new flexible travel arrangements make it easier to mix train and air journeys.

It's an area we'll be following throughout the season, particularly as more resorts and tour operators develop rail-friendly packages.

Early-Season Ski Deals: What to Look Out For

With winter approaching, now is the time to keep an eye on ski holiday offers, particularly for quieter weeks in January and March.

We'll be looking out for genuinely worthwhile discounts on accommodation, lift passes, equipment hire and complete ski packages, as well as flexible travel deals that make getting to the mountains easier.

Banff, Canada – SkiBig3 Package Savings

SkiBig3 advertised savings of up to 40% on selected 2026/27 ski-and-stay packages covering Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mt Norquay. The main early-booking offer closed on 31 August 2026, but it's worth checking for any new winter promotions.

The operator has also previously offered exclusive accommodation and activity savings for Ikon Pass holders.

France – Flexible Holidays with Inghams

Inghams' expanded flexible travel options, including shorter stays and combined rail-and-flight journeys, could prove particularly useful for skiers who can't commit to a traditional Saturday-to-Saturday holiday.

Eastern Europe – More Skiing for Your Money

For skiers looking to stretch their budget, Central and Eastern Europe remain worth considering. Resorts across Bulgaria, Slovakia, Poland and Georgia can offer competitive accommodation and lift-pass prices, with modern infrastructure and varied terrain.

We'll be adding confirmed, time-limited deals here throughout the season, with booking deadlines and any important conditions clearly stated.

Ed Leigh and Tim Warwood Launch New Snow Globe Podcast

Two of British snowsports' best-known voices are joining forces for a new weekly show.

Ed Leigh and Tim Warwood will launch Snow Globe on 4 November, bringing their trademark humour and commentary to a video-first podcast covering snowsports news, interviews, resort reviews, forecasts, gear and plenty more.

The pair will also provide live commentary at major events, including the Freeride World Tour and Natural Selection competitions, with episodes available on YouTube and podcast platforms.

Everest: The Other Side - Jim Morrison's Extraordinary Descent Hits Cinemas

One of the most remarkable ski mountaineering stories of recent years is coming to the big screen. Everest: The Other Side, directed by Oscar-winning filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, follows American ski mountaineer Jim Morrison as he attempts to become the first person to ski the formidable Hornbein Couloir on Everest's North Face.

It's a hugely ambitious undertaking, combining extreme high-altitude skiing with a deeply personal story of loss, resilience and determination.

The documentary is due to arrive in selected UK cinemas at the end of October, with a release on Disney+ to follow.