Here’s a complete guide to the ski season length in all locations (Europe, North America, Japan and the southern hemisphere) so you can plan your next trip.
How Long is a Typical Ski Season?
In Europe, Canada, the USA and Japan, the typical ski season is 5 months long and ranges from November to April. In Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Chile which are located in the southern hemisphere the season is usually 4 months long and spans between June and October.
| Location | Average Ski Season Length |
| USA | 5 months (mid-November to mid-April) |
| Canada | 5 months (late-November to mid-April) |
| France | 5 months (early December to late April) |
| Italy | 5 months (late November to late April) |
| Austria | 6 months (early November to early May) |
| Switzerland | 5 months (mid-November to late April) |
| Japan | 4 months (mid-December to late March) |
| Australia | 4 months (mid-June – early October) |
| New Zealand | 4 months (mid-June – early October) |
| Argentina | 4 months (mid-June – early October) |
| Chile | 3 months (early June – late September) |
The rest of this article is split into sections to give you more information on the following regions:
- Europe
- United States
- Canada
- Japan
- Southern Hemisphere
Europe Ski Season Length
In Europe, the average ski season lasts for 5 months and typically runs from early December to late April. Austria has the longest ski season in Europe which lasts for 6 months and usually runs from Early November to Early May.
- In France the ski season typically lasts for 5 months and runs from early December to late April. Val Thornens has the longest ski season in France which runs between November and May.
- In Italy the ski season generally lasts for 5 months and runs from late November to late April. Cervinia has the longest ski season in Italy.
- In Austria the ski season usually runs for around 6 months from early November to early May. Obergurgl-Hochgurgl usually has the longest ski season in Austria.
- In Switzerland the ski season usually lasts for 5-6 months running from November to April. St Moritz has the longest ski season in Switzerland which usually runs between October and April.
| Location in Europe | Average Ski Season Length | Average Ski Season Dates |
| France | 20 weeks (5 months) | Early Dec – Late April |
| Italy | 21 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Late April |
| Austria | 25 weeks (6 months) | Early Nov – Early May |
| Switzerland | 23 weeks (5.5 months) | Mid Nov – Late April |
| Poland | 15 weeks (3.5 months) | Early Dec – Mid March |
| Spain | 25 weeks (6 months) | Early Nov – Late April |
| Romania | 18 weeks (4.5 months) | Late Nov – Early April |
| Sweden | 21 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Late April |
| Finland | 23 weeks (5.5 months) | Mid Nov – Late April |
| Norway | 25 weeks (6 months) | Early Nov – Late April |
| Andorra | 21 weeks (5 months) | Early Dec – Late April |
| Armenia | 14 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid Dec – Late March |
| Azerbaijan | 14 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid Dec – Late March |
| Belarus | 14 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid Dec – Late March |
| Belgium | 21 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Late April |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 19 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Bulgaria | 21 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Late April |
| Croatia | 16 weeks (4 months) | Early Dec – Late March |
| Czech Republic | 17 weeks (4 months) | Late Nov – Early April |
| Georgia | 20 weeks (5 months) | Early Dec – Late April |
| Germany | 20 weeks (5 months) | Mid Dec – Early May |
| Greece | 17 weeks (4 months) | Mid Dec – Mid April |
| Hungary | 17 weeks (4 months) | Mid Dec – Mid April |
| Iceland | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Latvia | 12 weeks (3 months) | Early Dec – Late Feb |
| Montenegro | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Late April |
| Serbia | 19 weeks (4.5 months) | Mid Dec – Late April |
| Slovakia | 20 weeks (5 months) | Early Dec – Late April |
| Turkey | 12 weeks (3 months) | Late Dec – Late March |
| United Kingdom | 14 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid Dec – Late March |
United States Ski Season Length
In the USA, the average ski season lasts for 5 months and typically runs from mid-late November to mid-late April. Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, Oregon has the longest ski season in the USA which provides almost all-year-round skiing.
| Location in the United States | Average Ski Season Length | Average Ski Season Dates |
| Colorado | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| New York | 17 weeks (4 months) | Early Dec – Early April |
| Michigan | 21 weeks (5 months) | Mid Nov – Mid April |
| Wisconsin | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| California | 20 weeks (5 months) | Mid Nov – Late April |
| New Hampshire | 21 weeks (5 months) | Mid Nov – Mid April |
| Vermont | 25 weeks (6 months) | Early Nov – Early May |
| Pennsylvania | 14 weeks (3.5 months) | Early Dec – Mid March |
| Utah | 21 weeks (5 months) | Mid Nov – Mid April |
| Washington State | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Maine | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Idaho | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Alaska | 17 weeks (4 months) | Mid Dec – Mid April |
| Minnesota | 19 weeks (4.5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Montana | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Oregon | 24 weeks (6 months) | Mid Nov – Early May |
| Massachusetts | 20 weeks (5 months) | Mid Nov – Early April |
| Wyoming | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| New Mexico | 13 weeks (4 months) | Mid Dec – Mid March |
| Nevada | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Virginia | 16 weeks (4 months) | Early Dec – Late March |
| North Carolina | 18 weeks (4.5 months) | Late Nov – Early April |
| Iowa | 13 weeks (3 months) | Early Dec – Early March |
| West Virginia | 17 weeks (4 months) | Late Nov – Late March |
| Connecticut | 10 weeks (2.5 months) | Mid Dec – Late Feb |
| Arizona | 21 weeks (5 months) | Mid Nov – Mid April |
| North Dakota | 14 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid Dec – Late March |
| New Jersey | 12 weeks (3 months) | Mid Dec – Mid March |
| South Dakota | 17 weeks (4 months) | Early Dec – Early April |
| Indiana | 8 weeks (2 months) | Early Jan – Early March |
| Missouri | 11 weeks (2.5 months) | Late Dec – Mid March |
| Rhode Island | 16 weeks (4 months) | Early Dec – Late March |
| Tennessee | 13 weeks (4 months) | Mid Dec – Mid March |
| Maryland | 13 weeks (4 months) | Mid Dec – Mid March |
| Alabama | 13 weeks (4 months) | Mid Dec – Mid March |
Ski Season Dates of Most Popular Resorts in the USA
| USA Ski Resort | Average Ski Season Length | Average Ski Season Dates |
| Breckenridge, Colorado | 25 weeks (6 months) | Mid Nov – Mid May |
| Vail, Colorado | 24 weeks (6 months) | Mid Nov – Early May |
| Aspen/ Snowmass, Colorado | 21 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Late April |
| Telluride, Colorado | 17 weeks (4 months) | Early Dec – Early April |
| Beaver Creek, Colorado | 24 weeks (6 months) | Late Nov – Mid May |
| Steamboat, Colorado | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Jackson Hole, Wyoming | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Snowbird, Utah | 20 weeks (5 months) | Early Dec – Late April |
| Park City Mountain, Utah | 21 weeks (5 months) | Mid Nov – Mid April |
| Palisades Tahoe, California | 25 weeks (6 months) | Early Nov – Early May |
| Sun Valley, Idaho | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
Canada Ski Season Length
The Canadian ski season typically lasts 4-5 months and spans from late November to mid April in most regions. Whistler, in general has the longest ski season in Canada which usually lasts 6 months and spans from November to May.
| Location in Canada | Average Ski Season Length | Average Ski Season Dates |
| British Columbia | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Quebec | 17 weeks (4 months) | Mid Dec – Mid April |
| Ontario | 21 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Late April |
| Alberta | 25 weeks (6 months) | Early Nov – Early May |
| Manitoba | 17 weeks (4 months) | Late Nov – Late March |
| Saskatchewan | 24 weeks (6 months) | Early Nov – Late April |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 17 weeks (4 months) | Late Dec – Late April |
| New Brunswick | 16 weeks (4 months) | Mid Dec – Early April |
| Nova Scotia | 13 weeks (3 months) | Mid Dec – Mid March |
| Yukon | 17 weeks (4 months) | Late Nov – Late March |
Ski Season Dates of Most Popular Resorts in Canada
| Canada Ski Resort | Average Ski Season Length | Average Ski Season Dates |
| Whistler Blackcomb | 26 weeks (6.5 months) | Late Nov – Late May |
| Lake Louise | 25 weeks (6 months) | Early Nov – Early May |
| Sunshine Village | 26 weeks (6.5 months) | Early Nov – Mid May |
| Tremblant | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Big White | 22 weeks (5 months) | Mid Nov – Mid April |
| Sun Peaks | 22 weeks (5 months) | Mid Nov – Mid April |
| Revelstoke | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Fernie Alpine | 19 weeks (4.5 months) | Early Dec – Mid April |
| Blue Mountain | 20 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Mid April |
| Panorama | 17 weeks (4 months) | Early Dec – Early April |
| Marmot Basin | 24 weeks (6 months) | Mid Nov – Early May |
| Silver Star | 22 weeks (5 months) | Mid Nov – Mid April |
Japan Ski Season Length
The ski season in Japan usually lasts 3-4 months and spans from mid-December to late March in most regions. Resorts in Nagano have the longest season which usually lasts 5 months from November to May.
| Location in Japan | Average Ski Season Length | Average Ski Season Dates |
| Hokkaido | 12 weeks (3 months) | Mid Dec – Mid March |
| Nagano | 22 weeks (5 months) | Late Nov – Early May |
| Yamagata | 15 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid Dec – Early April |
| Nilgata | 14 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid Dec – Late March |
Southern Hemisphere Ski Season Length
There are four main locations where you can ski in the southern hemisphere.
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Argentina
- Chile
The ski season in Australia and New Zealand usually lasts 4 months from mid-June to Early October. The ski season in Argentina usually lasts 3-4 months from mid-June to early October. The ski season in Chile usually lasts 3 months from early July to late September.
| Location in the Southern Hemisphere | Average Ski Season Length | Average Ski Season Dates |
| Victoria, Australia | 15 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid Jun – Early Oct |
| New South Wales, Australia | 15 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid June – Early Oct |
| Otago, New Zealand | 15 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid June – Early Oct |
| Canterbury, New Zealand | 13 weeks (3 months) | Mid July – Mid Oct |
| Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand | 17 weeks (4 months) | Mid June – Mid Oct |
| Marlborough, New Zealand | 13 weeks (3 months) | Late June – Late Sept |
| Neuquén, Argentina | 15 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid June – Early Oct |
| Mendoza, Argentina | 15 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid June – Early Oct |
| Teirra del Fuego, Argentina | 15 weeks (3.5 months) | Early June – Late Sept |
| Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile | 17 weeks (4 months) | Mid June – Mid Oct |
| Araucania, Chile | 15 weeks (3.5 months) | Mid June – Early Oct |
| Los Lagos, Chile | 10 weeks (2.5 months) | Early July – Mid Sept |
| Valparaiso, Chile | 11 weeks (2.5 months) | Late June – Mid Sept |
What Affects the Length of a Ski Season?
The precise length of a ski season is dependent on how much snow fall there has been and the climate. If there is considerably more snowfall than usual and the weather is still cold, then the season may be extended. Conversely, if there has not been enough snow then the season may start later or finish earlier than usual.
On average, there should be roughly 30-40 inches (75-100 cm) of snow on the slopes before the ski resort opens for the season. In most regions in the northern hemisphere this occurs in November.
The amount of snowfall is heavily impacted by the altitude of the resort. Resorts at a higher altitude are more likely to experience heavier snow fall resulting in a longer ski season. Additionally, if more slopes are facing away from the sun, then the snow will not melt as quickly which can extend the season.
Some ski resorts will close at a certain date even if there is still a considerable level of snow on the slopes as most skiers tend to stop going after March/ April time so there isn’t much benefit for them to stay open into May.
When is the Best Month to Ski?
The best month to ski varies between resorts, however the best snow conditions are typically in January and February which is roughly in the middle of the ski season.
Skiing at the start of December is good as it is usually very quiet, however some resorts may not have had sufficient snowfall this early into the season and may not even be open yet. Skiing later in December often means you’ll be going at a very busy time of year as many holiday-goers plan their trips around Christmas.
January is a great month to ski in most locations in Europe, North America or Japan as the snow quality is typically good at this time of year and it is usually much quieter compared to the end of December.
February is a great month to ski in the northern hemisphere as it is towards the middle of the ski season meaning the snow conditions are typically very good and it is quieter compared to Easter time.
Skiing in March and April is popular as it is around Easter so plenty of people are off work and school. The snow is typically softer as it is towards the end of the ski season which advanced skiers typically do not prefer, but beginners will find easier. You may also find good deals on at this time of year.