Ski Resort Opening Dates for Winter 21/22

Part of Switzerland’s largest ski area, Verbier is one of the best resorts for early season skiing. Depending on snow conditions, Verbier is open at weekends throughout November with the main season kicking off on 4/5 December 2021. Early December is a superb time to enjoy a luxury ski holiday in Verbier, with quieter slopes, restaurants and bars as well as time not wasted queuing at ski lifts. We have an array of exquisite chalets available to rent in Verbier from the first weekend in December, just waiting for your arrival.

Home to the highest ski area in Switzerland, Zermatt is perfect for early season skiing. With the glacier open all year round for skiing, you can be guaranteed time on the slopes. Snow permitting, the wider ski area is set to open on 4th December 2021, giving you access to 360 km of slopes across three varied ski areas. It is also possible to cross over the border into the Breuil-Cervinia ski area, giving you even more options to clock up the kilometres. Chalet rentals in Zermatt are available from the last weekend in November, but you will find a greater choice of properties from the week commencing the 4th December.

Whilst the Tignes Glacier is set to open on the 16th October you will have to wait until the 27th November to explore the rest of the Tignes & Val d’Isere ski area. Together they offer 300 km of runs and 1900m of vertical with pistes to suit skiers of all abilities. Reaching heights of 3,456m in altitude, you can be fairly sure of decent snow cover too. The majority of our chalets in Val d’Isere are available to rent from the 28th November but there are a couple that can be rented from the 27th November if you can’t wait just one more day to return to the slopes!

The Three Valleys awaits your arrival in early December and whilst not the highest resort in terms of altitude, slope aspect also has a major role to play. This is why the north-facing slopes of the Courchevel Valley are a good option for early season skiing. Courchevel 1850 is the highest of the villages, and whilst also usually the most expensive, you can find some excellent chalet options at a much lower rate than at other times of the year.

Despite not being one of the highest resorts in the Alps, Lech is renowned for exceptional snowfall with averages of well over seven metres a season. Part of Austria’s largest ski area the Arlberg, Lech provides a gateway to 305 km of downhill skiing as well as extensive off-piste terrain. Aside from skiing, there are also plenty of alternative winter activities to enjoy, from horse-sleigh rides to winter hiking and ice skating; all the better early on in the season with a reduced number of visitors in resort.

Although natural snowfall can be somewhat erratic in this region, snow-making in the Dolomites is as good as it gets so even if there is a shortfall of natural snow, you can be sure that a crisp blanket awaits you. Aside from the luxury chalets in Cortina, there are also many other advantages to spending time here before peak season, not least having the renowned designer shops and boutiques on Corso Italia to yourself. Or if you’re looking for more of an adrenaline rush, then why not take an action-packed snowmobile tour of the larch forest? If romance is on your mind then a snowshoe hike through the Ampezzo Dolomites Nature Reserve is a must.

Centrally located in the heart of the Dolomites, Alta Badia is one of the most beautiful destinations for a luxury ski holiday. Like Cortina, snowfall can be rather unpredictable but the snow-making is superb and piste coverage practically guaranteed. The region links directly to the Dolomiti ski area giving you an incredible 500 km of pistes to explore. During your holiday you can also learn about the Ladin culture and enjoy the mouth-watering cuisine on offer (Alta Badia is home to four Michelin-stars within a 15 km area..)!