2026–2027 Ski Season: Opening Dates for French Alpine Ski Resorts

The 2026–2027 ski season is approaching, and resorts across the French Alps are getting ready to welcome the first snow sports enthusiasts. The first runs are expected to open as early as 28 November 2026, with Montgenèvre, in the Hautes-Alpes, scheduled to be the first resort to open. Most other ski areas, however, are planning to start operating during December, ahead of the Christmas holidays.

The opening calendar covers several destinations in the Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes-Maritimes, including some particularly popular resorts among visitors travelling from the French Riviera for a day in the snow.

It is important to remember that these dates are provisional: the actual opening of ski slopes and lifts will depend on snow conditions, temperatures and changing weather patterns. Before setting off, visitors should therefore check the latest updates on the official websites of each resort.

Hautes-Alpes: Montgenèvre kicks off the season on 28 November

One of the first resorts expected to open is Montgenèvre, which has scheduled the start of the season for Saturday, 28 November 2026.

The opening calendar continues on 5 December, when the lifts at Les Orres, Risoul, Vars and Serre-Chevalier are expected to start operating. At Serre-Chevalier, the initial opening is planned for the Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Le Monêtier sectors.

On 12 December, the Briançon ski area is expected to open, together with Orcières-Merlette, Puy-Saint-Vincent, Superdévoluy and La Joue-du-Loup. Puy-Saint-Vincent is also planning a pre-opening on 5 December.

The second half of December will bring further opportunities for skiers. La Grave-La Meije, Pelvoux-Vallouise and Réallon are planning to open on 19 December.

In the Queyras area, the resorts of Abriès, Arvieux, Ceillac, Molines and Saint-Véran are expected to welcome their first skiers from 18 December. Serre-Eyraud is scheduled to open the following day.

Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: Pra Loup and Val d’Allos from 12 December

Ski resorts in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence are also preparing for the start of the winter season.

Pra Loup and Val d’Allos have announced 12 December 2026 as their opening date. Val d’Allos is also planning a pre-opening on 5 December, while Chabanon and Sauze-Super Sauze are expected to begin their season on 19 December.

The main openings in this department are therefore concentrated in the second half of December, as the year-end holiday period approaches.

Alpes-Maritimes: Auron and Isola 2000 open on 5 December

Among the resorts most eagerly awaited by French Riviera snow sports enthusiasts are Auron and Isola 2000, both located in the Alpes-Maritimes. Both resorts have scheduled their season opening for 5 December 2026.

Their relative proximity to the coast makes these destinations particularly appealing to people living in Nice, Monaco and elsewhere along the French Riviera who want to enjoy the mountains without having to undertake a long journey.

If snow conditions allow, the first weekend of December could therefore mark the return to the slopes for many residents and visitors to the French Riviera.

Drôme: first openings expected from 19 December

Some ski areas in the Drôme have also announced their expected season opening dates. Col de Rousset, Font-d’Urle and Lus-la-Jarjatte are aiming to open on 19 December 2026.

At Lus-la-Jarjatte, the opening is expected to be limited to the beginners’ area.

2026–2027 ski resort openings: full calendar of dates

Here is a summary of the main opening dates announced for the 2026–2027 winter season:

• 28 November: Montgenèvre.
• 5 December: Les Orres, Risoul, Vars, Serre-Chevalier (Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Le Monêtier sectors), Auron, Isola 2000, and pre-openings at Puy-Saint-Vincent and Val d’Allos.
• 12 December: Briançon, Orcières-Merlette, Puy-Saint-Vincent, Superdévoluy, La Joue-du-Loup, Pra Loup and Val d’Allos.

• 18 December: Abriès, Arvieux, Ceillac, Molines and Saint-Véran.
• 19 December: La Grave-La Meije, Pelvoux-Vallouise, Réallon, Serre-Eyraud, Chabanon, Sauze-Super Sauze, Col de Rousset, Font-d’Urle and Lus-la-Jarjatte.

Snow and weather conditions will determine when the lifts actually open

The ski resort calendar for winter 2026–2027 already provides a useful starting point for planning weekends in the snow and Christmas holidays. However, the announced dates do not guarantee that the entire ski areas will be open.

The operation of ski lifts and the number of available slopes will depend on snow cover, whether natural or supplemented by artificial snowmaking systems, as well as temperatures and weather forecasts.

To avoid any surprises, visitors are advised to check the official websites of the resorts shortly before departure to confirm which lifts will actually be running and which slopes will be accessible.

The ski season is almost ready to begin: from the first runs in late November to the December openings, snow will once again set the pace of winter in the French Alps.