Winter is nearly here and the resorts have had a busy summer. Around twenty new or upgraded lifts are opening in the French Alps alone. The Dolomites have invested around €100 million in lifts, pistes, and snowmaking. From Courchevel to Cortina there is a fresh crop of hotels to try. Some news is big, like the long-awaited return of the Grands Montets in Chamonix. Some is smaller, such as a quicker lift that gets you out of the cold sooner on a January morning.
Pip, our Product and Digital Development Manager, has spent more than 25 years in the ski industry, including six seasons in Courchevel, Méribel, and Breckenridge. She keeps a close eye on what changes in the mountains each year, here is Pip’s pick of what is new for the 2026/27 ski season.
What Are The Big Themes In Skiing This Winter?
Looking at the Alps and North America, a few things stand out. These might not seem like big changes, but together they really do make your week on the mountain better.
Old, slow chairlifts are being replaced by gondolas. In places like Peisey-Vallandry and St. Johann in Tirol, two-seaters and drag lifts are giving way to 8- and 10-person lifts that cut travel times in half. In Montgenèvre, the new Fournéous gondola is the first in the Southern French Alps to run without an operator on board.
Some resorts are reusing lifts instead of buying new ones. Several French resorts have rebuilt second-hand lifts. For example, the new chairlift at Les Carroz came from the Pyrenees, cost almost 30% less than a new lift, and used 80 to 90% less new raw material, according to Alti-Mag.
Sustainability is making quiet progress. The first mass-produced electric piste groomers will be used at La Plagne, Val d’Isère, and Serre Chevalier. Sölden is also installing a solar power plant on the Tiefenbach Glacier. If you want to travel with a lighter footprint, check out our low-carbon ski holidays.
Historic hotels are making a comeback. This year, most new accommodation comes from renovations instead of new builds, with classic hotels reopening in Chamonix, Morzine, and Megève.
Plenty of birthdays. Courchevel turns 80, Valmorel 50 and Avoriaz 60, while Les Gets marks 90 years since its first lift and Montgenèvre begins its 120th season.
What’s New In the French Alps For 2026/27?
New in Chamonix:
The Grands Montets above Argentière has been missing its main lift link since a fire in 2018, but this winter it starts to return. The first part of a new 10-seater gondola, running from Argentière to the Lognan plateau at 1,972m, is set to open on 12 December 2026, with a new beginners’ area at the top. The second stage, a cable car up to the 3,275m summit, is planned for December 2027.
In town, two historic hotels reopen after renovation: Le Morgane and the former Excelsior at Les Tines, now called Lizzie.
Quick Facts: Chamonix | New: Argentière to Lognan gondola | Due to open: 12 December 2026
Changes in Paradiski:
Peisey-Vallandry’s old Lonzagne lift has been replaced by a new 10-seater gondola to Plan Peisey, doubling capacity and cutting travel time to just over three minutes. It opens 12 December and is free for skiers and walkers.
In La Plagne, you might see one of the first electric piste groomers working on the slopes. The resort has also replaced most of its piste banners with fewer, clearer signs.
Quick Facts: Paradiski | New: Télévillage gondola, Peisey-Vallandry | Due to open: 12 December 2026
An update on the Three Valleys:
Courchevel is marking its 80th anniversary with five new places to stay. In 1850, the Bourbon Hotel offers 31 ski-in, ski-out rooms and an Italian restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Simone Zanoni. The Hôtel Saint Roch is right on the Bellecôte piste and has a kids’ club and spa. At the top of the Chenus gondola, a new 300m² panoramic terrace opens this winter.
In Méribel, work on the Rhodos gondola is finished, and €3 million has been spent on snowmaking for the Truite piste. In Les Menuires, the °Fahrenheit Seven group is opening a 51-room four-star hotel near the Preyerand lift on 11 December. In La Tania, the new ski-in, ski-out Bârma combines a hotel, suites, and apartments.
Quick Facts: Three Valleys | New: five hotels in Courchevel, Chenus terrace | From: December 2026
Other news on the Northern Alps:
- La Clusaz: There’s a new 6-seater chairlift at the Col de Balme, which is the resort’s most reliable area for snow and offers views of Mont Blanc. There’s also a new forest alpine coaster called the Luge des Bois.
- Morzine: The former Hôtel des Airelles has reopened as Garance, a four-star hotel with a Nordic spa.
- Les Gets: It’s been 90 years since the first lift, and the resort is celebrating with a new snowpark. With a full opening planned for 19 December, if the snow allows.
- Les Carroz: There’s a new 1,125m twin zip line that you can ride while wearing your skis.
What’s New In Austria For This Season?
Austria’s major resorts usually upgrade their lifts every winter, and this year is no exception. Most of the new lifts are 8-seater chairs or 10-person gondolas, all expected to open from December, according to Austria Tourism.
Austrian resorts with new lifts:
- Zell am See-Kaprun: the new 8-seater Kapellenbahn chairlift takes you up the Schmittenhöhe.
- Ischgl: the Höllkarbahn in the Silvretta Arena is replaced by a new 8-seater chairlift.
- St. Johann in Tirol: a new 10-person Jodlalmbahn gondola up the Harschbichl replaces a two-seater chair.
- Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis: a new 8-seater replaces the Plansegg lift.
New for families in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis:
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis has always been one of Austria’s most family-friendly resorts. This winter, it’s adding Murmli’s Family Slope, which goes from the Gampen through the forest to the Komperdellbahn mid-station. There’s also a new play area at the Fiss ski depot, and the Sun Park in Fiss now has four lines, offering something for both beginners and experienced freestylers.
Quick Facts: Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis | New: Plansegg 8-seater, Murmli’s Family Slope | From: winter 2026/27
Other news on Austria:
- Sölden: On the trend of sustainability, there’s a new solar power plant on the Tiefenbach Glacier, the first of its kind in Austria. It’s made up of 800 panels designed for Alpine conditions.
- Schladming: the 30th World Cup Nightrace on the Planai, with the floodlit giant slalom on 26 January 2027 and the slalom on 27 January.
- New hotels: The Green in Uderns in the Zillertal is opening with 75 rooms and a 3,300m² spa. The family-run Schiefergut is opening 28 suites and chalets in Flachau, and most of the restaurant’s food comes from its own farm.
What’s New In Italy This Winter?
Now that the Winter Olympics are over, the Dolomites are continuing to invest. Dolomiti Superski is spending about €100 million across its 12 ski areas this year, and the season is set to start on 28 November 2026.
Dolomites resorts with new lifts:
- Kronplatz: This is the biggest change of the year. A new 10-person Kronplatz 1+2 gondola replaces the old system and adds a middle station. There’s also a new 8-seater chairlift in Olang and a new gondola in San Vigilio di Marebbe.
- 3 Zinnen Dolomites: the new 10-person Helmissimo gondola opens at Vierschach.
- Val di Fassa: a new 10-person gondola at Buffaure replaces the chairlift up to Col Valvacin.
Other updates on Italy:
In Cortina, The First Cortina hotel opens with 76 rooms and suites from 4 December. In the Milky Way area, a new chairlift from Gimont to Colletto Verde is set to open this winter, creating a new high-altitude link between Claviere and Montgenèvre.
What’s New in Switzerland for 2026/27?
After several years of big projects like the Matterhorn Glacier Crossing and the V-Bahn above Grindelwald, this winter in Switzerland is quieter, with smaller upgrades instead of major new builds.
- Verbier: The Ski Lodge, a 36-room boutique hotel near Place Centrale, opens in December 2026 with a spa, indoor pool, and bar.
- Zermatt: The Patrullarve chairlift, the oldest in the ski area and running since 1989, is being replaced by a detachable 6-seater in the Sunnegga and Blauherd area. Looking ahead, Zermatt is planning a World Cup downhill on the Gornergrat for March 2028.
Quick Facts: Zermatt | New: Patrullarve 6-seater chairlift | From: winter 2026/27
What’s New in Canada and the USA for 2026/27?
Changes at Whistler Blackcomb:
Whistler Blackcomb plans to open on 20 November 2026. The new Showcase chair, a fixed-grip quad, replaces a T-bar that has served the upper Horstman Glacier since 1988. This lift gives easier access to the high alpine terrain on Blackcomb and follows a new route that keeps it off the glacier.
Quick Facts: Whistler Blackcomb | New: Showcase chair | Planned opening day: 20 November 2026
More North America Updates:
- Lake Louise: Last year’s Richardson’s Ridge expansion now has new connections, including a groomed green run and more intermediate and advanced glades, plus extra snowmaking.
- Deer Valley: The expansion that made headlines last winter continues, with the new Hail Peak Express opening up about 200 more acres on the eastern side.
- Park City: A new 10-person gondola is planned to replace the Cabriolet at Canyons Village, connecting the lower village with the slopes.
Is It Easier to Get to the Alps by Train This Winter?
Yes, for the French Alps. After a busy first season with its Paris to Bourg-Saint-Maurice night train, Travelski is adding a night service from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Brussels to the Tarentaise. There will be 15 departures between 18 December 2026 and 27 March 2027. If you are coming from London, you can connect via Eurostar in Brussels.
Some resorts now offer rewards for rail travel. In Valmorel, you can get 15% off your lift pass with a valid train ticket. If you want to travel by train, our ski train packages are a great starting point.
If you want to learn more about what’s new this season or start planning your holiday, call our ski experts at 020 7471 7700 or send us an enquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most anticipated new lift is in Chamonix. The first section of a new gondola from Argentière to the Lognan plateau is set to open on 12 December 2026. This will reopen the Grands Montets sector, which has been closed since a fire in 2018.
The start date depends on the resort. Whistler Blackcomb plans to open on 20 November 2026, and Dolomiti Superski on 28 November. Most Alpine resorts open in early to mid-December. For example, Les Gets plans a partial opening on 12 December.
New hotels opening include the Bourbon Hotel and Hôtel Saint Roch in Courchevel 1850, °Fahrenheit Seven in Les Menuires, Garance in Morzine, The Ski Lodge in Verbier, The First Cortina in Cortina, and The Green in the Zillertal. Le Morgane and Lizzie in Chamonix, as well as the Lodge Park in Megève, will reopen after renovations.
Many resorts are making steady changes. This winter, La Plagne, Val d’Isère, and Serre Chevalier will use their first electric piste groomers. Sölden is adding a solar plant on its glacier, and resorts like Les Carroz and Les Gets are rebuilding lifts using second-hand equipment.
