Where to ski in October

Find out which glaciers are open with the best conditions this October.

Austria

Solden's Rettenbach glacier (3000m) opened Friday with more than three kilometres of skiable terrain (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily) and two lifts in operation. Oct. 7-9 is the Mazzz Mountain First Snow, which offers free ski and snowboard equipment tests of all the top brands, live concerts and the Air2Bag contest at Tiefenbach Glacier. Pre-season ski passes are available at €22 per day until Oct. 7 and €41 after.

Stubai Glacier (3000m) has 25 kilometres of open terrain (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) served by eight lifts. There is a snow base of 60cm. Oktoberfest brings live music and a beer tent to the glacier Oct. 15-16. Pre-season ski passes are available at €33.20 per day until Oct. 14 and €40 after.

The Kaunertal Glacier (3108m) opened last week and has 103cm of snow already. Pre-season ski passes are available at €34 per day instead of €38 up until Oct. 14. The Molltaler Glacier also opens today with 80cm of snow; daily ski passes are a flat rate of 39.50 throughout the year.

The year-round Hintertux Glacier (3250m) has a snow base of 105cm and 30 kilometres of open slopes served by eight lifts; €35.50 until Oct. 7 and €43 after. Kaprun's Kitzsteinhorn glacier opens Oct. 15 and costs €41 per day until Nov. 25. 

Switzerland

Zermatt's Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (3883m) is open at a flat rate of CHF63 throughout the year.

Saas-Fee's Allain Glacier (3600m) has 57cm of snow with 20 kilometres of open terrain and eight lifts (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.); ski passes are €67 per day.

France

Les Deux Alpe's Mont de Lans glacier (3600m) opens Oct. 22-23 for the "Enjoy The Glacier" weekend, featuring music, exhibitors and a snowboard contest at the snowpark. Skipass prices TBA. 

Tignes' Grand Motte Glacier (3456m) opens Oct. 1 and its snowpark Oct. 22. Pre-season ski passes cost €34.50 until Dec. 16.