There are two kinds of skier. Those who booked their February chalet in June, and those reading this with a slight sense of alarm. Either way, you are in the right place. Here is our ski trip planner for the 2026/27 season: when the resorts open, what is new, and the practical bits that make the difference between a glorious week and a very expensive argument at the boot room.
When the Big Resorts Open
All dates depend on snow, but these are the planned openings for the 2026/27 season:
Val d'Isère: 28th November 2026 to 2nd May 2027, with an opening weekend on the 28th and 29th November.
Val Thorens: 21st November 2026 to 2nd May 2027.
Courchevel and Méribel: early December to 18th April 2027, with the full Three Valleys linked from the 5th December.
Verbier: 5th December 2026 to 25th April 2027.
Zermatt: the Matterhorn glacier area runs from the 1st November, with the wider ski area opening through December.
St. Anton and Lech Zürs: 2nd December 2026 to 18th April 2027.
Kitzbühel: 6th November 2026 to 4th April 2027, one of the earliest starts in the Alps.
Aspen: Aspen Mountain and Snowmass from the 26th November 2026, Highlands and Buttermilk from the 12th December.
Niseko: planned for the 28th November 2026, for those who like their powder with a side of sushi.
What's New This Season
Cortina after the Olympics. Having hosted the 2026 Winter Games, Cortina d'Ampezzo is enjoying a moment. The First Cortina by The Pavilions opens on the 4th December with 76 rooms, a Zuma and a substantial spa, joining the Grand Hotel Ampezzo, which opened this summer.
Verbier. The Ski Lodge, a 36 room boutique hotel with a proper spa and a bar worth staying up for, opens in December 2026.
Courchevel. Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin has its first full winter season, with 51 ski in, ski out rooms in 1850.
Zermatt. A new six seater chairlift with weather bubbles at Patrullarve, which is the sort of thing you only appreciate at minus fifteen.
When to Go
February half term. Most London state schools break up for the week of the 15th to 19th February 2027, and many private schools take a longer fortnight. This is the busiest, most expensive week of the season, so if it is the only week you can go, book now. Good chalets for families are already scarce.
Easter. Easter Sunday falls on the 28th March 2027, the earliest Easter in over a decade. That is excellent news for snow, and bookings for Easter week are up sharply as a result. Some resorts close in early April, so check before you commit.
The quiet weeks. January, after the first week, is the connoisseur's choice: empty pistes, better prices and tables at the mountain restaurants that you would never get in February.
The Practical Bits
Insurance. Most standard travel policies do not include winter sports. Check yours covers skiing, off piste with a guide if you plan to venture there, and mountain rescue and repatriation. A GHIC card does not cover these.
Helmets in Italy. Since the 2025/26 season, helmets are compulsory for skiers and snowboarders of all ages in Italy, and third party liability insurance is required on Italian slopes.
Borders. The EU's Entry/Exit System is now fully in operation, so allow extra time at passport control on your first crossing. ETIAS, the new travel authorisation, has no confirmed start date yet.
Skis on planes. Fees and allowances vary widely by airline. Many people now simply hire premium kit in resort and have it waiting in the chalet.
Lessons and guides. The best instructors are booked months ahead for half term. Book them when you book the chalet.
The Concierge Checklist
Chalet or hotel booked, with transfers arranged
Lift passes pre-purchased and waiting
Ski school or private instructor booked
Equipment hire fitted and delivered to the chalet
Insurance with winter sports cover
Mountain restaurant lunches reserved for the busy days
Passports checked for validity (at least three months beyond your return date for EU travel, and issued within the last ten years)
Leave the Logistics to Us
From a chalet in Courchevel to a family week in Niseko, our team handles the whole thing: flights, transfers, passes, instructors, kit, and that table at La Folie Douce you will pretend you did not want. All you need to do is turn up and point your skis downhill.
Speak to us at hello@otium-concierge.com.