If the leaves are still falling in the valley, the first lifts are already running on the glaciers. Ski areas on glaciers stretch over 3000 meters, have a foundation of ice and old snow even after a warm summer and can therefore often open even in September or October. For many, they are the first skiing day of the winter – and for racing teams, the training site before the first race.
The ski areas on the glaciers and their season start
The table shows the ski areas in Austria, Bavaria, and South Tyrol with the start of the autumn ski season 2026, as published by the operators (as of October 2026). Dates are always weather and snow dependent; the operator's website is the most important reference.
| Resort | Autumn 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hintertuxer Gletscher, Tyrol | Open year-round, ski operation daily |
| Pitztaler Glacier, Tyrol | Ski operation since September 26, season planned until May 2, 2027 |
| Stubaier Gletscher, Tyrol | Start 9 October, expected until 17 May 2027 |
| Sölden (Rettenbach and Tiefenbachferner), Tyrol | Glaciers from October 9th, entire ski area according to the plan from the 12th. November |
| Kaunertaler Gletscher, Tyrol | Start 17 October (originally planned for 26 September) |
| Kitzsteinhorn Kaprun, Salzburg | Ski operations from 10th. October |
| Mölltaler Gletscher, Carinthia | Winter season planned from October 23 to May 30, 2027. |
| Zugspitze, Bavaria | Ski season expected from the 27th. November |
| Schnalstaler Gletscher, South Tyrol | Ski and training operation all day since 10th. October |
For a long time, the Dachstein glacier as a glacier ski area. There is no alpine ski operation there anymore: the cable lifts were dismantled in March 2023 because the glacier had shrunk significantly and the supports anchored in the ice had to be moved every year. Cross-country skiing, ski-tours, and winter hiking on the plateau are still possible.
When glaciers open
Most glaciers begin their autumn operation between the end of September and the end of October, which then seamlessly transitions into the winter season. Some runs, such as at the Hintertuxer Gletscher, operate year-round. The exact date depends on whether snow has already fallen at the height, whether it is cold enough for snowmaking, and how the slopes are prepared after summer. A planned start being postponed is no exception: between the planned and actual 2026 season start dates, the Kaunertaler Gletscher had about three weeks of downtime.
In autumn, only a part of the area is usually open - some lifts and slopes in the upper area. The large downhill slopes and the connected ski resorts below follow only in November or December.
What you should look out for in the fall
Stay on marked, open slopes
A glacier is high alpine terrain. Outside of the pistes, glacier crevasses that may already be covered by little fresh snow, as well as avalanche-prone areas and landslides, are a threat. The avalanche warning service often does not issue a daily avalanche bulletin in the autumn – the Euregio Avalanche Report for Tyrol and South Tyrol, for example, provides information outside the winter season through blog posts. A lack of a report does not mean that there is no danger. More information at Avalanche warning levels explained.
Height, cold and wind
At over 3000 meters it is significantly colder than in the valley, and the wind makes it feel even colder. During storms the mountain railways are closed. Therefore look at the weather at the summit and the gusts, not at the valley location – how to do that is explained in the article. Weather for skiers. Those who drive directly from the flatland to over 3000 meters also feel the thinner air: Take your time on the first day.
Sun and UV
According to the World Health Organization, UV radiation increases by about 10 to 12 percent with each 1000 meters of altitude, and fresh snow reflects up to 80 percent of it. Sunscreen, lip protection and a good hat are also essential on cloudy autumn days.
Getting there
The access roads lead far into high-altitude valley bottoms, sometimes over their own glacier roads. In Austria, the situational winter equipment requirement applies from November 1 to April 15: when there is snow, slush, or ice, cars are only allowed to drive with winter tires. Even in October, the access roads can be wintery.
Ski slopes and operating hours
In the autumn, recreational skiers share the few slopes with training groups that have their own, fenced-off areas. The lifts often close in the afternoon, and the slopes can be rocky early in the season. It is especially worthwhile to start early on weekends.
Live status in Kaiserwetter Ski
Kaiserwetter Ski
All glaciers from the table are listed among the 118 ski resorts of Kaiserwetter Ski. “Opens soon” shows the next published season openings with countdown, your favorites first – if a resort hasn’t published a date yet, that’s exactly what it says. If a resort is open, the app shows it along with the source of the information, with a notification if requested as soon as your favorite opens.
In addition, the weather at the summit during the lift time includes gusts, perceived temperature and the freezing level.
Sources
- Operator operating hours, retrieved in October 2026: Hintertuxer Gletscher, Pitztaler Glacier, Stubaier Gletscher, Sölden (ski resort news), Kaunertaler Gletscher, Kitzsteinhorn, Mölltaler Gletscher, Zugspitze, Schnalstal (lifts)
- Der Standard (2023): Future of ski tourism on disappearing ice (End of ski operation on the Dachstein)
- schneehoehen.de (03/14/2023): The dismantling of the ski lifts has started: no ski operation on the Dachstein again
- Euregio avalanche report: manual (Information outside the winter season)
- WHO (2002): Global Solar UV Index - A Practical Guide (Increase with the height)
- WHO: Radiation: The known health effects of ultraviolet radiation (Reflection through snow)
- ÖAMTC: Situational winter equipment requirement from the 1st. November