If you want to go skiing in November, your choice of locations will be more limited as many resorts only start opening towards the end of the month. In this article I’ll take you through the best ski resorts with the most reliable snow in November to help you narrow down your choice.
Best Ski Resorts for November
- Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, USA
- Keystone, Colorado, USA
- Hintertux, Austria
- Cervinia, Italy
- Pitztaler Glacier, Austria
- Kaunertaler Glacier, Austria
- Wolf Creek, Colorado, USA
- Engelberg, Austria
- Lake Louise, Banff, Canada
- Sunshine Village, Banff, Canada
- Mammoth Mountain, California, USA
- Loveland, Colorado, USA
- Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, Austria
- Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada
- Parsenn, Switzerland
Contents:
- USA Resorts
- Canadian Resorts
- European Resorts
Best Ski Resorts for November in the USA
- Arapahoe Basin
- Keystone
- Wolf Creek
- Mammoth Mountain
- Loveland
The best ski resorts to visit in the USA during November are typically in Colorado, as this is the most snow-sure area in North America during the early ski season. Here’s some more information about each ski area.
| Ski Resort | 2022 Opening Date | Skiable Area | Snowfall | Base Depth | Summit Depth |
| Arapahoe Basin | 23rd Oct | 1428 acres | 32″ | 20″ | 21″ |
| Keystone | 28th Oct | 3000 acres | 27″ | 20″ | 19″ |
| Wolf Creek | 4th Nov | 1600 acres | 41″ | 26″ | 24″ |
| Mammoth Mountain | 5th Nov | 3500 acres | 32″ | 16″ | 26″ |
| Loveland | 3rd Nov | 1800 acres | 41″ | 21″ | 21″ |
Arapahoe Basin
Arapahoe Basin typically opens in late October, making it one of the more snow-sure resorts in North America for November. It’s a relatively small resort which mainly focuses on Black Diamond/ Double Black Diamond terrain, so it’s perfect if you’re very experienced but not a great placed for intermediates or beginners especially.
It is conveniently located in Colorado and nearest international airport is Denver (1 hour 45 min transfer).
- Skiable terrain: 1428 acres
- Trails: 147
- Beginner Terrain: 7%
- Intermediate Terrain: 20%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 73%
- Vertical Drop: 2530 ft
- Terrain Parks: 3
| Ski Season | Opening Date |
| 2022/23 | 23rd Oct |
| 2021/22 | 17th Oct |
| 2020/21 | 9th Nov |
| 2019/20 | 11th Oct |
| 2018/19 | 20th Oct |
Keystone
Keystone is a great resort to ski in during November as it is usually open throughout the entire month and has great snowmaking facilities. It’s a large resort which mainly focuses on advanced and intermediate terrain, so it’s not a great option for beginners.
Keystone resort is located in Colorado and the nearest regional airport is Vail/ Eagle (1 hour 30 min transfer) and the nearest international airport is Denver (2 hour transfer).
- Skiable terrain: 3000 acres
- Trails: 130
- Beginner Terrain: 12%
- Intermediate Terrain: 39%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 49%
- Vertical Drop: 3128 ft
- Terrain Parks: 1
| Ski Season | Opening Date |
| 2022/23 | 28th Oct |
| 2021/22 | 22nd Oct |
| 2020/21 | 6th Nov |
| 2019/20 | 25th Oct |
| 2018/19 | 7th Nov |
Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek is a relatively small resort but it’s excellent for skiing in November as it boasts some of the best snow in North America during this month. There is a focus on advanced terrain, however it does still have a decent amount of beginner and intermediate terrain so it’s great for a group of mixed abilities.
Wolf Creek ski area is in Colorado and the nearest regional airport is San Luis Valley Regional (1 hour 15 min transfer) and the nearest international airport is Albuquerque (4 hour 15 min transfer).
- Skiable terrain: 1600 acres
- Trails: 133
- Beginner Terrain: 20%
- Intermediate Terrain: 35%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 45%
- Vertical Drop: 1604 ft
- Terrain Parks: 0
| Ski Season | Opening Date |
| 2022/23 | 4th Nov |
| 2021/22 | 16th Oct |
| 2020/21 | 28th Oct |
| 2019/20 | 1st Nov |
| 2018/19 | 13th Oct |
Mammoth Mountain
Mammoth Mountain is one of the best ski resorts to visit in November if you’re an intermediate. They have a 54% share of blue square trails but also plenty of beginner and expert terrain due to the size of the mountain. They are usually open for most of November but avoid planning a trip for the beginning as it may open slightly later.
Mammoth Mountain is in California and the nearest regional airport is Eastern Sierra (1 hour transfer) and the nearest international airport is Los Angeles (5 hour transfer).
- Skiable terrain: 3500 acres
- Trails: 175
- Beginner Terrain: 20%
- Intermediate Terrain: 54%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 26%
- Vertical Drop: 3100 ft
- Terrain Parks: 10
| Ski Season | Opening Date |
| 2022/23 | 5th Nov |
| 2021/22 | 29th Oct |
| 2020/21 | 13th Nov |
| 2019/20 | 9th Nov |
| 2018/19 | 10th Nov |
Loveland
Loveland is an excellent ski resort to visit in November if you’re an intermediate or advanced skier. It’s not huge, but it has some great challenging terrain. It is usually open for most of November but occasionally opens later into the month so make sure you plan your trip from mid-November onwards.
Loveland ski area is in Colorado and the nearest airport is Denver International Airport (1.5 hour transfer) making it a very accessible place to visit.
- Skiable terrain: 1800 acres
- Trails: 94
- Beginner Terrain: 13%
- Intermediate Terrain: 41%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 46%
- Vertical Drop: 2210 ft
- Terrain Parks: 1
| Ski Season | Opening Date |
| 2022/23 | 3rd Nov |
| 2021/22 | 30th Oct |
| 2020/21 | 11th Nov |
| 2019/20 | 25th Oct |
| 2018/19 | 20th Oct |
Best Ski Resorts for November in Canada
- Lake Louise
- Sunshine Village
- Marmot Basin
| Ski Resort | 2022 Opening Date | Skiable Area | Snowfall | Base Depth | Summit Depth |
| Sunshine Village | 3rd Nov | 3500 acres | 38″ | 32″ | 38″ |
| Lake Louise | 4th Nov | 4200 acres | 39″ | 33″ | 44″ |
| Marmot Basin | 10th Nov | 1720 acres | 19″ | 21″ | 20″ |
If you’re planning a ski trip to Canada in November then it’s essential to go for the end of the month. Canadian resorts aren’t super snow-sure in the early ski season and the vast majority of them open in late November or early December.
Banff, Alberta is by far the best place to ski in November if you’re visiting Canada. It has three resorts (Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Mt. Norquay) which all typically open at the start of November.
Sunshine Village
Sunshine Village is located closest to Banff town (20 minutes drive) and has tonnes of skiable terrain and a good split of trails for all abilities. It is also only 25 minutes away from the smaller Mt. Norquay ski resort giving you access to even more slopes.
The closest airport is Calgary International which is a 1 hour 45 minute drive away.
- Skiable terrain: 3500 acres
- Trails: 120
- Beginner Terrain: 23%
- Intermediate Terrain: 46%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 31%
- Vertical Drop: 3161 ft
- Terrain Parks: 4
| Ski Season | Opening Date |
| 2022/23 | 3rd Nov |
| 2021/22 | 11th Nov |
| 2020/21 | 9th Nov |
| 2019/20 | 8th Nov |
| 2018/19 | 9th Nov |
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a bit farther out of Banff compared to Sunshine Village (roughly 40 minutes) however this mountain has the most skiable terrain and again, a good split of trails for all abilities. The on-site accommodation and ticket prices are also slightly cheaper compared to Sunshine.
The closest airport is Calgary International which is a 2 hour 15 minute drive away.
- Skiable terrain: 4200 acres
- Trails: 164
- Beginner Terrain: 25%
- Intermediate Terrain: 45%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 30%
- Vertical Drop: 3250 ft
- Terrain Parks: 4
| Ski Season | Opening Date |
| 2022/23 | 4th Nov |
| 2021/22 | 7th Nov |
| 2020/21 | 29th Oct |
| 2019/20 | 8th Nov |
| 2018/19 | 9th Nov |
Check out this in-depth comparison between Lake Louise and Sunshine Village to decide which is the best resort for you.
Marmot Basin
Marmot Basin, like the other two Canadian resorts on this list is in Alberta, however it is located in Jasper National Park. It is much smaller and less snow-sure in November compared to Banff, however it’s a good place for mixed abilities.
The nearest major airport is Edmonton which is a 4 hour 15 minute drive away.
- Skiable terrain: 1720 acres
- Trails: 91
- Beginner Terrain: 30%
- Intermediate Terrain: 30%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 40%
- Vertical Drop: 3000 ft
- Terrain Parks: 2
| Ski Season | Opening Date |
| 2022/23 | 10th Nov |
| 2021/22 | 19th Nov |
| 2020/21 | 12th Nov |
| 2019/20 | 8th Nov |
| 2018/19 | 16th Nov |
Best Ski Resorts for November in Europe
- Hintertux (Austria)
- Cervinia (Italy)
- Pitztaler Glacier (Austria)
- Kaunertaler Glacier (Austria)
- Engelberg (Austria)
- Obergurgl-Hochgurgl (Austria)
- Parsenn (Switzerland)
| Ski Resort | 2022 Opening Date | Slope Length | Snowfall | Base Depth | Summit Depth |
| Hintertux, Austria | 30th Sep | 72 km | 80 cm | 25 cm | 88 cm |
| Cervinia, Italy | 1st Oct | 150 km | 108 cm | 26 cm | 134 cm |
| Pitztaler Glacier, Austria | 1st Oct | 40 km | 84 cm | 38 cm | 98 cm |
| Kaunertaler Glacier, Austria | 14th Oct | 55 km | 69 cm | 39 cm | 113 cm |
| Engelberg, Austria | 15th Oct | 82 km | 59 cm | 14 cm | 78 cm |
| Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, Austria | 17th Nov | 56 km | 80 cm | 25 cm | 88 cm |
| Parsenn, Switzerland | 18th Nov | 95.5 km | 40 cm | 11cm | 42 cm |
If you want to go skiing in Europe in November then Austria is the best country to go for. The ski season starts earlier compared to all the other major skiing countries in the continent. There are also a couple of resorts in Italy and Switzerland which open in mid-November or earlier.
France is not a good place to go skiing in November as most resorts only open at either the very end of November, or early December.
Hintertux, Austria
Hintertux in Austria is an excellent place to ski in November as it benefits from excellent snow during the early season and even opens as early as September. It’s a decent size ski area which has a lot of slopes for intermediates but less so for beginners and experts.
The closest major airport to Hintertux is Innsbruck Airport which is a 1.5 hour drive away.
- Slopes: 72 km
- Beginner Terrain: 23%
- Intermediate Terrain: 59%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 18%
- Vertical Drop: 1750 m
Cervinia, Italy
Cervinia is by far the best ski resort in November in Italy as it opens for the ski season very early. It is a large resort by European standards which has a focus on intermediate terrain.
The closest major airport to Cervinia is Milan Malpensa which is a 2 hour 15 minute drive away.
- Slopes: 150 km
- Beginner Terrain: 15%
- Intermediate Terrain: 60%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 35%
- Vertical Drop: 2050 m
Pitztaler Glacier, Austria
Pitztaler Glacier in Austria is a relatively small ski area which heavily focuses on intermediate terrain. The conditions are usually very good in November making it a good choice for the early season.
The closest major airport to Pitztaler Glacier is Innsbruck Airport which is a 1 hour 45 minute drive away.
- Slopes: 40 km
- Beginner Terrain: 19%
- Intermediate Terrain: 76%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 5%
- Vertical Drop: 1760 m
Kaunertaler Glacier, Austria
Kaunertaler Glacier in Austria is another pretty small but reliable area for skiing in November. It has a good spread of beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain making it a great option for all abilities. However, it isn’t very steep so it isn’t super challenging for expert skiers.
The closest major airport to Kaunertaler Glacier is Innsbruck Airport which is a 1 hour 15 minute drive away.
- Slopes: 55 km
- Beginner Terrain: 40%
- Intermediate Terrain: 35%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 25%
- Vertical Drop: 928 ft
Engelberg, Austria
If you’re looking for a mid-sized mountain with reliable snow conditions at the start of the ski season then Engelberg is a solid choice. The focus in mainly on intermediate terrain but there is still a decent amount of slopes available for beginners and experts.
The closest airport to Engelberg is Zurich which is a 1 hour 30 minute drive away.
- Slopes: 82 km
- Beginner Terrain: 26%
- Intermediate Terrain: 56%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 18%
- Vertical Drop: 2100 m
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, Austria
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl typically doesn’t open until mid-November so it’s only an option for later in the month, however it is pretty snow-sure and has excellent terrain for beginners and those making the transition to intermediate slopes.
The closest major airport to Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is Innsbruck Airport which is a 1.5 hour drive away.
- Slopes: 56 km
- Beginner Terrain: 53%
- Intermediate Terrain: 30%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 17%
- Vertical Drop: 1793 m
Parsenn, Switzerland
If you want to go skiing in November in Switzerland then Parsenn is a good option. It typically opens in mid-November which is early compared to other ski resorts in the country, and has a good amount of skiable terrain, focusing mainly on intermediate-level slopes.
The closest airport to Parsenn is Zurich which is a 2 hour drive away.
- Slopes: 95.5 km
- Beginner Terrain: 18%
- Intermediate Terrain: 63%
- Advanced/ Expert Terrain: 19%
- Vertical Drop: 2034 m
Unsure which European country to go skiing in? Check out these articles
Austria vs Switzerland for Skiing
France vs Switzerland for Skiing
Austria vs France for Skiing
What About Japan?
Japan is a very popular place to ski, but unfortunately not in November. Most Japanese ski resorts open in mid-December so it takes a bit longer for the ski season to really get going.
| Ski Area in Japan | Average Ski Season Dates |
| Hokkaido | Mid Dec – Mid March |
| Nagano | Late Nov – Early May |
| Yamagata | Mid Dec – Early April |
| Nilgata | Mid Dec – Late March |
Check out this guide to the average ski season lengths and dates globally for more information.
