While December is winter in Switzerland, not all ski resorts are open
While the main ski season usually starts in mid December, some high elevation ski resorts usually open partially around the end of November if we get enough snow.
. often open a few slopes in Some of you are getting excited for winter and want to know where you can ski in December, particularly over the Christmas break.
Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that every ski resort will have enough snow or be open in December. So here are our suggestions for early winter skiing in Switzerland.
Note: Many resorts offer discounted tickets during December, often only available online. So many sure to check the resort website before heading out.
Current status 2025
As of 26 Nov 2025, these ski resorts have a few slopes open or scheduled to open the coming weekend.
| Ski Resort | Status 2025 |
|---|---|
| Arosa | Weekend of 29/30 Nov 2025, opening the Hörnli Express area. Check status. |
| Andermatt | Daily partially open in the Gemstock area. Check status. |
| Davos Klosters | Daily partially open in the Parsenn area. Check status. |
| Hoch Ybrig | Partial opening 28 – 30 Nov. Check status. |
| Flumserberg | One lift opening 29-30 Nov. Check status. |
| Mürren Schilthorn | Partially open now. Check status. |
| Kleine Scheidegg | Partially open starting 29 Nov 2025. Check status. |
| Zermatt | Partially open in Matterhorn Glacier Paradise area. Check status. |
What to expect at Swiss ski resorts in December
Every year is different. I don’t want to discourage you, but I want to set your expectations so you don’t get disappointed when it’s not perfect.
Sometimes we get big snowstorms in November and early December, then nothing for weeks. Other times, we don’t get much snow until Christmas then it continues snowing.
In 2017, we were boarding on amazing powder already on 2.Dec. And in 2019, we started snowboarding at Andermatt on 8 Nov.
But in December 2016, there was very little snow, with only a few runs open at the highest elevation resorts and slim trails with grass on the side leading to the bottom.
So although some resorts in Switzerland officially open mid-December, don’t expect the whole resort or all services to be open. Typically they open just a few runs at the top of the resort first and use snow making machines to keep those runs open and help build a base. So snow quality might not be optimal.
Many facilities at lower elevations will likely be closed because they don’t have enough snow yet, including lifts, lower elevation runs, mountain restaurants, sled runs, beginner hills and snow gardens.
Most resorts have status maps online that show which facilities and runs are open that day, so you can decide if it’s worth it to go. During this time, resorts often offer discounted lift passes because the whole resort isn’t open.
I usually don’t plan on skiing regularly until mid-January, particularly at smaller locals-only resorts. Often we get a snow storm in late November and a bunch of resorts open for one or two weekends. But they usually close again for a few weeks until the next big storm. If you live here, simply check the snow reports regularly and take advantage of any snow storm that blows in.
How to choose a Swiss ski destination for December
If you want to book a ski holiday in Switzerland in December/January, you should choose a ski resort at the highest elevation possible (about 2000m), so it will be cold enough to keep any snow they get and make snow if necessary.
Below are a few that we’d recommend, though there are certainly others that might be open in December. In any case, no guarantee for snow! And remember that lifts can close with short notice due to wind and other unfavorable weather conditions.
Ski Resorts in Eastern Switzerland
1. Lenzerheide/Arosa
Usually Arosa is the first ski area in eastern Switzerland to open for winter season. Usually Arosa opens the Hörnli Express gondola and a couple pistes starting on weekends in late November. Then the start to open slopes on the Lenzerheide Rothorn side, connecting the Arosa and Lenzerheide ski villages. By mid December, usually the whole resort is open.
It’s a large resort, with a huge variety of terrain, with easy blue runs even at the higher elevations. You can get heavy discounts for December lift passes if you book in advance here, as low as CHF 45.
This resort is close enough for a day trip from Zürich but also many options for an overnight stay either in the Lenzerheide or Arosa area. You can access the resort from several different villages. In early winter, when there might not be snow in the valley, we recommend skiing from Arosa or the Rothorn gondola.
More info: latest ski news• open lifts & slopes • webcams
2. Davos/Klosters
This is resort is mostly above 2200m, making it a good option for early winter skiing. It’s a very large resort with multiple mountains, so there’s bound to be something open in December.
We really enjoyed the Parsenn/Gotschna part of the resort, read our review here.
It’s possible to do this as a day trip from Zürich, but it’s nicer to stay in the area so you can beat some of the crowds getting up the mountain.
As of the end of November 2023, Davos has 10+ slopes open in the Parsenn and Jakobshorn area.
More info: ski season start page • winter timetables • live info • slope report • webcams
3. Flims/Laax
Flims Laax typically opens a few slopes on the Vorab Glacier in late November. This year, they plan to open for daily operation on Friday 1 Dec 2023.
They offer discounts for booking ski tickets in advance, which can you do in their online shop.
More info: Flims Laax news • live status
Lake Lucerne Region
4. Engelberg Titlis
Much of the Engelberg Titlis resort is above 2000m, so it’s more snow sure than other resorts in this area.
Assuming good conditions, the ski slopes on the Titlis glacier often open at the end of November. On the glacier, it’s one lift and a short run but fantastic views and a fun novelty.
The rest of the Engelberg-Titlis resort typically opens mid December.
More info: lift status • webcams
5. Andermatt
This resort often opens a couple runs in early November, then the rest of the resort by mid December. The highest lift goes to about 2900m and has a couple intermediate and advanced runs there.
In other parts of the resort, they have easy blue runs at around 2000-2300m. It’s close enough for a day trip from either Luzern or Zürich.
The Andermatt Gemstock ski area usually opens mid November. Other areas of the resort are usually partially open on December weekends, with the full resort opening for daily service the third weekend of December.
More info: operating hours • webcams • interactive winter map
Bernese Oberland
6. Jungfrau Region
The Jungfrau Region is not quite as high elevation as other ski areas in my December list. So it wouldn’t be my first pick for booking a December ski holiday. But you might get lucky on the December snow and it could be great.
This year, the Jungfrau ski areas are scheduled to open Sat 9 Dec 2023.
If I were going to the Jungfrau Region in December, I would prioritize the Mürren-Schilthorn ski area, which have the highest elevation in the area. A few runs at the top as high as 2600m.
The Grindelwald-First area has a few T-bars at the top that go as high as 2500m.
More info: website • live slope data • webcams
Southern Switzerland
7. Zermatt
You can ski year round on the glacier, but that area is quite small and more of a novelty. The full ski resort that encompasses several mountains is typically open mid-December through early April. Almost all runs are above 2000m, with most above 2500m and even up to 3000m. So there’s a good chance you have enough runs open to have a fun holiday.
This year, regular ski season is scheduled to start 2 Dec 2023, with slopes opening as snow conditions allow.
Of course, this is a very popular and expensive area for a ski vacation. But definitely my first choice for the best ski conditions over Christmas.
Status: open lifts & pistes • webcams • snow report
8. Saas Fee
Saas Fee has a glacier and very high elevation (many runs above 3000m), so they have summer skiing and open early for regular winter season, often at the beginning of November.
This year, Saas Fee opened some slopes on the glacier at the beginning of November and plans to open the full resort on 16 Dec 2023.
More info: lift & piste status • webcams
You’ll need to stay in the area as it’s not near any big cities and quite isolated in its own little valley. My friend recommends the Alphubel Hotel, which caters to families.
9. Engadin – Diavolezza Corvatsch
The St Moritz area is one of the highest elevation ski areas in Switzerland, which usually means the early snow tends stay instead of melt.
Typically the Diavolezza glacier ski area opens at the beginning of November. Then the Corvatsch ski area opens a few slopes starting the end of November. Other ski areas are typically fully open the week before Christmas. This year , from 25 Nov 2023 and the other areas from 20 Dec 2023.
More info: Diavolezza/Corvatsch lift & piste status • webcams
10. St Moritz – Corviglia
The Corviglia ski area at St Moritz is very high elevation, with almost all runs over 2200m and up to 3000 on the highest runs. This ski area is scheduled to partially open 24 Nov 2023 and full open before Christmas.
More info: Snow report • Corviglia news • webcams
Snow Reports
There are a lot of websites for checking Swiss snow levels. I like Search.ch because it lists the distance of the resort from your location, resort prices, web cam links as well as the normal stats, like snow base, new snow, and open lifts/services. I wouldn’t say the snow report is 100% accurate, but it’s a good start for my research.
To see what the weather looks like, we check the Swiss mountain webcams.
After snow storms, we check the SLF Avalance risk report for any safety warnings.
Other snow reports:
6 responses
Hello there,
I am thinking about taking my 8 and 12 years old to Alps for the new years all the way from California. They both will need to take classes. Where do you think we should go? We need to stay on a budget. Thank you in advance!
You might consider a ski resort that has family tickets or free skiing for kids under 9. This post might be helpful: https://swissfamilyfun.com/ski-switzerland-budget-tips/
Hey Tanya, you are always my first stop if I want to know where to go and what to do. This post is great as my kids and their friends are visiting us here this Christmas. I have a question though. Don’t know if appropriate to ask. So our is son visiting with his girlfriend and might want to propose to her between the 27th to the 30th of December. We live in Elgg, east of Winterthur and I was looking for some mountain with snow that he can take her up to and propose. I’m liking Lenzerheide and Davos. Do they have hiking or walking trails there. The kids would love to hike or snowboard. Thank you for any advice. I fully understand it all depends on the weather. 😂
So exciting! Yes, both Lenzerheide and Davos have groomed winter walking trails, so just check their websites to see what’s on offer. One we enjoyed near there is at Grüsch. It’s a pretty small resort, but a little closer and cheaper than those others you mentioned. https://swissfamilyfun.com/grusch-danusa-panorama-winter-hike/
Hey SwissFamilyFun,
a nice list, but perhaps some more updates are needed .. 😉
(..eason, this year on 1.Nov 2019. )
Happy Snow, Mike
You’re right 🙂 The snowfall this year (2021) was so sporadic that I kept waiting to fully update this post until it was clear if the snow was staying, coming or going. I’ll do better next year. I did a little better on this post: https://swissfamilyfun.com/ski-switzerland-november/