We talk a lot about spring skiing, but we often forget that early-season skiing shares many of the same advantages. Most ski areas open at the end of November or in early December for the winter season, but there's a handful of high-altitude ski areas that are able to open their slopes as early as October and even September. Most of these are glacier ski areas that enjoy guaranteed snow cover. Long, sunny days and empty slopes - what's not to love? Here are 10 reasons we love early-season skiing.
Almost nobody goes on a ski holiday this early in the season, despite the fact that there's often fresh snow already on the slopes. If you take off in October or November or even early December, you're virtually guaranteed no lift queues. How does lap after lap after lap of that perfectly groomed slope sound?
Ski pass rates shoot sky-high around Christmas and don't properly drop back down again until after Easter. The best way to get some skiing in if you don't want to wait that long and don't want to spend an arm and a leg is by going in early season. The whole ski area might not be open, but the lack of queues will make up for the limited terrain.
How awesome is it to go skiing in the fall? Only you know - and you get to tell everyone at the office about it, plus share it on social media! It's hard to get more boasting power than that. While your friends are wistfully remembering their recent beach holiday as they toil away at their desks under the fluorescent lights, you'll be strapping on your skis and sailing down the slopes as you inhale big lungfuls of the fresh mountain air. #winning!
Usually by the time you hit the slopes in high season the staff is completely burnt out and mostly occupied with plotting how to skive off work on the next powder day. But in the early season there are so few people on the slopes that you can be sure of a genuine smile from the liftie, and an overall happy vibe at the ski resort.
Snow-covered mountains are spectacular in their own way, of course, but mountains in the autumn are a whole other level. Depending on your ski resort, you may find yourself taking in brilliant oranges, reds and yellows as the trees finish changing colours for the fall.
We all know the feeling of panic with impending ski season and the physical pressures it puts on us. Who wants to go skiing with ten extra pounds hanging off our guts? But usually, the end of summer finds us in top physical condition, after having worked hard all summer for the perfect bikini body. Don't waste this precious time of year - hit the slopes and you'll be amazed how much easier it is to ski when you're in good shape!
Spending half the morning in the rental shop is the worst part of the day, and to spend all that time only to get out on the slopes and discover a huge gash down one of your skis... well, that's just downright frustrating! The good news is that if you go in the early season, the equipment will still be fresh and you'll be able to take your pick as you won't have to battle off hordes of other skiers. You'll be one of the first to test out the newest models!
If you're one of those people who loves belting out a German après-ski hit at the top of your voice, then going in the early season will give you a much-needed edge over the competition. German lyrics are not known for their ease of pronunciation, so you might have to make a few early-season ski trips before you're ready to hit the main stage.
Skiing in December and January is great, but you run a high risk of encountering blizzard-like conditions on the slopes. Autumn is a great compromise and if you head to a snow-sure ski area, you'll have the best of both worlds, with sunny weather and pristine skiing conditions. If you're lucky you might even get spring-skiing conditions with no need for a ski jacket while you're sitting at the outdoor terrace!
It's sooo depressing to have the sun start setting before the lifts even close! But skiing in October will get you long days reminiscent of spring, and as a bonus you can do some solid work on your goggle tan! The ski day is sometimes even longer in honour of the later sunset, so you can get more skiing in
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!
