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These ski resorts are reopening after lockdown
Looking to score some post-lockdown turns before all the snow has melted? Here are the ski resorts where lifts will be turning again soon, or are still running.
Update 18 May: Chamonix, France (Aiguille du Midi), Hintertux, Austria, Luossabacken, Sweden and Mt. Bachelor, Oregon added
Update 19 May: Crans Montana, Switzerland and Stryn, Norway added
Riksgränsen, Sweden
https://riksgransen.se/
Sweden’s storied late-spring destination, Riksgränsen has continued to operate throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Lift operations will continue until 24 May.
Luossabacken, Sweden
Downdays reader Rasmus reports that the local ski hill in Kiruna, Luossabacken, is still operating evenings, and plans to stay open until midsummer.
Dombås, Norway
www.trolltun.no
After an initial closure in March, Dombås reopened the lifts on 18 April and it looks like the park has been bumping. Their season ends this weekend.
Fonna, Norway
https://www.folgefonn.no/en/home
Norway’s go-to glacier resort, Fonna opened for business on 1 May and will continue operations throughout the summer months.
Stryn, Norway
Stryn's summer skiing operation has postponed its opening until 6 June—not due to COVID-19, but to record amounts of snow.
Timberline, USA
https://www.timberlinelodge.com/
The U.S.’s primary summer ski resort, Timberline just announced that it will re-open its ski area on 15 May for summer operations. The daily allotted tickets are already selling out fast online, so make sure to book well in advance. Camps on the Palmer Snowfield like Windell’s also plan to be in session with increased health and sanitation measures in place.
Mt. Bachelor, USA
Oregon's Mt. Bachelor has announced a limited reopening from 16-24 May for season pass holders only. 500 spots are available per day and reservations must be made online.
Les 2 Alpes, France
https://summer.les2alpes.com/en/ski-area-summer.html
Les 2 Alpes is currently sticking to its scheduled summer plan, opening on the weekends of 6-7 June and 13-14 June before starting continual operations from 20 June until 30 August.
Chamonix, France
While not a ski area per se, Chamonix's Aiguille du Midi cable car resumed operations on 16 May and will continue daily operations depending on weather conditions and public demand. Reports from "opening weekend" post-shutdown mention an hour-long hike out of the classic Vallée Blanche route.
Zermatt, Switzerland
https://www.zermatt.ch/en
As Switzerland eases restrictions, ski operations on Zermatt’s summer slopes may reopen as soon as 8 June. Snowpark Zermatt is planning to open on 4 July, and will stay open through August.
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
https://www.saas-fee.ch/en/mountains/skiing/summer-ski/
Like its neighbor Zermatt, Saas-Fee is also aiming for its planned summer ski opening on 11 July, though opening remains dependent on the relaxation of COVID-19 measures in Switzerland.
Crans Montana, Switzerland
You might have seen some Instagram posts of Crans Montana already back in action, but don't get your hopes up: it's a private session for the Swiss team. However, word on the street is that the resort will reopen for public park sessions on 8 June. We're waiting on more information.
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Kitzsteinhorn, Austria
https://www.kitzsteinhorn.at/en
Kitzsteinhorn plans to open for summer skiing on 29 May.
Kaunertal, Austria
https://www.kaunertaler-gletscher.at/
Kaunertal just announced that it will reopen its glacier skiing from 29 May until 7 June.
Hintertux, Austria
Hintertux plans to reopen on 29 May and hopes to return to its regular operation as one of the world's few year-round ski resorts.
Whistler, Canada
https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/
Lift operations at Whistler remain closed for the moment, but information about summer operations on the Blackcomb Glacier are expected soon. Ski camps like Momentum have their fingers crossed.
Southern Hemisphere
In Australia and New Zealand, ski resorts are tentatively planning for regular winter operations starting in June. In South America the ski season remains in question, with strict lockdowns still in place in Chile and Argentina. Though locals in these countries can look forward to at least some kind of ski season, international travel remains heavily restricted.
Before you go
Several resorts have switched to online-only ticket operations, so make sure to check before you go, and read up on your resort’s COVID-19 policies. All resorts have strict health and social-distancing guidelines in place. It goes without saying that if you’re not going to follow the rules, you’d better just stay home.
Keep in mind, international travel restrictions currently remain in place worldwide. Even if you’re still fired up for that Southern Hemisphere ski trip this summer, it’s very unlikely at this point that recreational travel will be allowed. But if a resort in your area happens to have lifts turning, there’s nothing wrong with getting out on the slopes as long as you do so sensibly.
