Ski Openings 2024
It’s autumn, the temperatures have noticeably dropped and the first snow has already fallen in the mountains. So, it’s high time to get in the mood for the upcoming 2024/2025 winter season ❄️⛷️❄️
As usual, we have listed the most important ski openings in 2024 for you. The ski resorts have once again come up with some great ideas to kick off the new winter season in style with their guests: top acts with live concerts by well-known artists, culinary delights, test weekends and much more. Now you are spoilt for choice in which of these ski resorts you would like to start the new winter season.
World Cup Party – Audi FIS Ski World Cup Opening
📍 Sölden | 25.10.-27.10.2024
In Sölden, you have been able to make your turns in the snow on the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers since 20 September. From 14 November 2024, the entire ski area will be open.
From 25 October to 27 October 2024, the best skiers in the world will be in action on the Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden. The start number draw for the women’s giant slalom on the following Saturday will take place on Friday evening, followed by a World Cup party and numerous DJs at the Giggijoch valley station.
On Saturday 26 October 2024 it’s that time again. The world’s best women will start the FIS Ski World Cup 2024/2025 with the 1st run in the giant slalom at 10:00 a.m. After the 2nd run, which starts at 1:00 p.m., the winner of the 1st World Cup giant slalom will be determined. From 17:00, the fun continues at the Giggijochbahn valley station. With the traditional parade of fan clubs, DJs, the award ceremony for the women and the draw for the men’s start numbers, the celebrations can continue late into the evening.
On Sunday, 27 October 2024, it will be the men’s turn to choose the first giant slalom winner of the 2024/2025 World Cup season in two runs at 10:00 and 13:00. After the award ceremony directly on the Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden, a glacier party in the middle of an impressive mountain massif is on the agenda. We are already looking forward to three days of excitement, thrills and a successful 2024 World Cup kick-off in the Ötztal.
Ski Openings 2024 ❄️ Sölden
Stubai Zoo Park & Test Days
📍 Stubaital | 08.11.-10.11.2024
Get ready for cool sessions in the Stubai Zoo Park. This year, there will once again be a large test festival area on the Eisgrat where you can try out the latest skis and snowboards from the top brands for free (bring your passport). At the Cash & Goodies for Tricks session, you can win great prizes with your cool tricks. There will also be a snowboard museum, a chill lounge and great beats from the hottest DJs.
New is the Ambition Snowskate Session. First take a look at this art of skateboarding and snowboarding and then try it out for yourself. You can also try out snowskating on a thin layer of snow, e.g. in the city, and perfect your tricks. Here’s a quick taster
After an intensive day in the Stubai Zoo Park, we hope you still have enough energy left for the Welcome Party on Friday evening or the Movie Night with the latest scene films and subsequent Saturday Night DJ Line in Neustift im Stubaital on Saturday. Enjoy 😃
Ski Openings 2024 ❄️ Stubaital
SnowTime
📍 Zell am See / Kaprun | 08.11.-10.11.2024
Book your skiing holiday in Zell am See / Kaprun now, because the winter sports fun starts on the Kitzsteinhorn on 8 November with SnowTime 2024. Test the brand new skis and snowboards on the glacier all weekend for free.
Take part in the SnowTime Cup, where you try to collect 3029 vertical metres in one day. Great prizes are waiting for you 🏆
On 8 November 2024, you can listen to very personal but also impressive stories from two true winter sports legends in the Expert Talk at Kaprun Castle. Double Olympic champion in Big Air Anna Gasser and ski legend, Olympic champion, world champion and 26-time World Cup winner Franz Klammer share their experiences and give you a look behind the scenes of top-class sport.
At the Freeride Film Festival on 9 November 2024, you can admire the power, powder, action and magic of these winter sports in impressive ski and snowboard films.
Ski Openings 2024 ❄️ Zell am See / Kaprun
FIS Ski World Cup Gurgl
📍 Obergurgl-Hochgurgl | 22.11.-24.11.2024
The ski pros will probably skip the DJ party in the Foyer Gurgl Carat on Friday 22nd November 2024 from 21:00, but for the guests and spectators there is a good reason to celebrate and get in the mood for the World Cup weekend in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl.
On Saturday, 23 November 2024, unlike the pros, you can sleep in because the first run of the women’s slalom on the Kirchenkar World Cup piste takes place at 10:30 am and the second at 1:30 pm. Afterwards, you can celebrate the winners of the women’s slalom and enjoy the men’s start number draw in the Diamond Lounge before the DJs provide another entertaining evening.
On Sunday, 24 November 2024, it will then be the turn of the world’s best men’s slalom skiers. The first run of the men’s slalom will take place at 10.30 am.
You can find more information about the programme and tickets here Experience a fantastic World Cup weekend in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl.
Ski Openings 2024 ❄️ Gurgl
La Grande Première
📍 Val Thorens | 23.11.-24.11.2024
Did you miss ‘La Grande Première’ last year? No problem, because this fantastic event is taking place again this year in Val Thorens. To get you in the mood, you can watch the following video from last year:
Ski Openings 2024 ❄️ Val Thorens
In the Test Village on Place Caron, you can try out brand new ski, snowboard, freeride and touring equipment from 50 different brands. There is also a mini snow park where competitions are held during the day. Get up early to pick up your test tickets (from 08:00) and enjoy your free and energising breakfast (between 09:00 and 10:00). Throughout the day, you can win great prizes in various activities and quench your thirst at the stands with locally brewed beers, among other things. But when the ski lifts close, the day is far from over. This is when the legendary raclette party begins, followed by a film evening at the Le Lac Blanc cinema.
You can find the full programme for this great weekend in Val Thorens here
Ski Opening 2024 Obertauern
📍 Obertauern | 28.11.-01.12.2024
Attention ravers! The rave king Scooter, known for hits such as ‘God Save the Rave’, ‘Hyper Hyper’, ‘How much is the fish’, … will be performing at the ski opening in Obertauern. H.P. Baxxter and co. will heat you up on the Passhöhe on Friday, 29 November, from 20:30. Tickets are available here
The snow-sure ski resort of Obertauern is not only great for skiing and snowboarding, but also for partying from 28 November to 1 December 2024.
Ski Openings 2024 ❄️ Obertauern
Top of the Mountain Opening Concert
📍 Ischgl | 30.11.2024
Every year, Ischgl manages to attract the best artists for the legendary ‘Top of the Mountain’ concerts. This year it’s Ellie Goulding’s turn to enchant the audience in Ischgl at the start of the ski season. With 2 BRIT Awards and 2 Grammy nominations, it will be no problem for her to get Ischgl buzzing. The concert will take place on Saturday, 30 November from 18:00 at the sports field, Silvrettabahn A1, car park P1. Get your concert tickets here
Ski Openings 2024 ❄️ Ischgl
The Grand Festival 2024 – Ski Opening Schladming Dachstein
📍 Schladming-Dachstein | 06.12.-08.12.2024
Last year, the Schladming-Dachstein ski resort was already able to sign up a megastar, namely Robbie Williams. For this year’s Ski Opening, they are going one step further and have been able to secure not just 1, but 3 superstars. You can choose between live concerts by Bryan Adams (06.12.2024), Sting (07.12.2024) and Simply Red (08.12.2024). These three gentlemen need no further introduction. A fix component on the world’s biggest stages for decades, these three great singers and performers will be rocking the Grand Festival stage in Schladming-Dachstein in December 2024.
Would you like to be part of Austria’s most legendary ski opening? Then plan your holiday in the 4-Berge-Skischaukel Schladming and secure your tickets for 1 or all 3 mega concerts of the Grand Festival 2024 😉 Here is the teaser to get you in the mood
Ski Openings 2024 ❄️ Schladming-Dachstein
Stanton Ski Open
📍 St. Anton am Arlberg | 06.12.-08.12.2024
The three-day Stanton Ski Open festival traditionally takes place at the start of the winter season in St. Anton am Arlberg.
The programme is too extensive to list here, but we are happy to give you a few tips on what to expect. Among other things, there are numerous waxing courses, free ski and snowboard tests at the Galzigbahn, food trucks and live music and lots of cover band shows (including David Bowie, Elton John and Queen) on various stages across St. Anton am Arlberg. On Saturday you can find out all about avalanches and safety from Michael Larcher in the WM-Halle and on Sunday you can take part in the Arlberg Safety Camp on the Galzig. Also, on Sunday from 17:00, as well as on 01.12., 15.12., 21.12. and 22.12.2024, the advent magic in the park with the advent market will take place to get you in the mood for Christmas.
Ski Openings 2024 ❄️ St. Anton am Arlberg
BERGFESTival
📍 Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn | 06.12.-08.12.2024
Shortly after the start of the ski season, the famous BERGFESTival takes place in the Skicircus. This year is already the 11th edition! From 6 to 8 December, the Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn ski area will once again be all about music and partying.
The main stage is located in the centre of Saalbach, where the following bands, among others, will perform on Friday, 06.12.2024: Sportfreunde Stiller, Das Lumpenpack and Feine Sahne Fischfilet. But it’s not just the main stage that will be rocking, there will also be live performances in the specially constructed Stadl.
On Saturday, it is advisable to dress warmly, as bands will be playing on the Luis Alm at 1600 metres above sea level from 13:00. Would you rather stay in the valley? There you can also enjoy the performances on the terrace of the Soul House. Or you can head back to the main stage for the performances from 18:30 by Mando Diao, Großstadtgeflüster or Kaffkiez. One thing is for sure: you won’t be bored in Saalbach!
If you want to know exactly which band is performing where, you can find all the information here
Ski Openings 2024 ❄️ Saalbach Hinterglemm
Hochzeiger Open-Air
📍 Jerzens – Pitztal | 07.12.2024
Although the opening of the Hochzeiger ski area in Jerzens is already planned for Friday 29 November 2024, the first big event will not take place until 7 December 2024: the Hochzeiger Open Air.
Get up early and hit the slopes before the party gets going at the Hochzeiger middle station from 13:00 with DJs from Ö3 and a live concert by Tim Bendzko. He is best known for his hit ‘Nur noch kurz die Welt retten’, but has written many other great songs that he will be playing for you. And best of all: the event and concert are free for ski pass holders. Click here for all the information
Ski Openings 2024 ❄️ Hochzeiger – Jerzens – Pitztal
Gourmet Skisafari
📍 Alta Badia | 14.12.2024
For 10 years, the Alta Badia area, which is part of Dolomiti Superski, has been inviting star chefs from all over the world to cook in its cosy mountain huts. On 5 December 2024, the ski area will officially open all lifts, but one of the highlights of the winter season will take place on 14 December with the Gourmet Ski Safari.
During the gourmet ski safari, you can ski from hut to hut and enjoy different delicacies each time. And the special thing about it is that you can meet the chefs in person and try to elicit their secrets. This year, star chefs Ana Roš and Massimiliano Alajmo, among others, have created a special dish on site together with the hut chefs from Alta Badia that will be on offer throughout the winter season.
Ski Openings 2024 ❄️ Alta Badia