{"id":236127,"date":"2025-11-08T19:29:23","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T19:29:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/stagione-sci-25-26\/"},"modified":"2025-11-09T14:31:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T14:31:45","slug":"ski-season-25-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/ski-season-25-26\/","title":{"rendered":"The first snowflakes of the 2025\/26 season close the Alpine passes and open the ski resorts"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first snowflakes of the 2025\/26 season close the Alpine passes and open the ski resorts<\/span><\/h1>\n

Winter peeks out over the Swiss Alps: alpine roads go into \u2018hibernation\u2019 and the first ski lifts open, with ticket prices slightly up and tourists already arriving.<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Airolo
Airolo – Pesci\u00fcm Photo by Matteo Corti, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Winter 2025\/26 has made a triumphant entrance over the Swiss Alps, marking a record-breaking debut thanks to the first significant snowfalls as early as the end of September. Heavy flakes \u2014 up to 25 cm even at relatively low altitudes, around 1,000\u20131,400 meters \u2014 have forced the early closure of several Alpine passes for safety reasons, but have also created ideal conditions for the early opening of some ski resorts. This scenario promises a dynamic season, with a focus on snow farming<\/em> and artificial snowmaking to ensure open slopes as early as November. According to forecasts, the snow at higher elevations could extend the season well into late spring, supporting moderate tourism growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alpine passes in \u201chibernation\u201d: early closures due to snow and ice<\/span><\/h2>\n

The first snowfalls have lowered the \u201csnow line\u201d on the northern side of the Alps to between 1,000 and 1,200 meters, making several iconic passes impassable due to ice, avalanches, and adverse weather conditions. Many of these historic routes \u2014 vital for summer and tourist traffic \u2014 are now entering winter closure, with reopenings expected only between May and June 2026, depending on conditions. Among the passes currently closed or in the process of closing are:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Pass<\/span><\/th>\nAltitude (m)<\/span><\/th>\nApproximate Closure Date<\/span><\/th>\nNotes<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Furka Pass<\/span><\/td>\n2,429<\/span><\/td>\nLate October 2025<\/span><\/td>\nClosed due to snow; reopening estimated late May 2026.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Grimsel Pass<\/span><\/td>\n2,164<\/span><\/td>\nLate October 2025<\/span><\/td>\nOpen up to Handegg on the Bernese side; high avalanche risk.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nufenen Pass<\/span><\/td>\n2,478<\/span><\/td>\nEarly November 2025<\/span><\/td>\nSecond highest pass in Switzerland; full closure until June.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Susten Pass<\/span><\/td>\n2,234<\/span><\/td>\nLate October 2025<\/span><\/td>\nOpen up to Obermaad; known for granite landscapes and hydroelectric dams.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Klausen Pass<\/span><\/td>\n1,948<\/span><\/td>\n31 October 2025<\/span><\/td>\nStandard winter closure until May.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
San Bernardino Pass<\/span><\/td>\n2,065<\/span><\/td>\nEarly November 2025<\/span><\/td>\nImpact on traffic between Graub\u00fcnden and Ticino.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
San Gottardo Pass<\/span><\/td>\n2,108<\/span><\/td>\n7 November 2025<\/span><\/td>\nOfficial closure by FEDRO for safety; the Sch\u00f6llenen Gorge path also closed.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Great St Bernard Pass<\/span><\/td>\n2,469<\/span><\/td>\n20 October 2025<\/span><\/td>\nEarly closure; border with Italy.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Towards the opening of ski lifts: first resorts operational<\/span><\/h2>\n

Despite the blocked Alpine roads, ski resorts are taking advantage of early snowfalls to kick off the season ahead of schedule. High-altitude and glacier resorts, like those listed below, benefit from natural accumulations and snow cannons to open slopes already now. Here is an updated calendar of openings (subject to change due to weather):<\/span><\/p>\n

Early \/ ongoing openings (November 2025):<\/span><\/h3>\n