What’s New for the 25-26 Season

As the 2025–26 ski season fast approaches, resorts across Europe and North America are unveiling a wave of improvements and all new attractions. From comfortable high-speed chairlifts and gondolas and expanded terrain to luxurious slope-side chalets and hotels, these upgrades promise faster access, broader appeal, and elevated experiences on the slopes. Here’s a curated look at some of the most exciting developments of the hundreds set to reshape the mountains this winter. 

USA

This winter’s stand out development is in Utah, where Deer Valley will unveil a massive expansion of approximately 2,900 acres of new terrain served by nine new lifts – most of them swish gondolas and chairlifts.  

To put that in context, the new terrain alone would be enough to make it into the top 5% of US ski areas by size. As it is, Deer Valley will more than double its original footprint to nearly 5,000 acres, making it leap up the table to become the fifth biggest US ski area (that’s top 1%).   

As Park City Mountain resort, which lies right next to Deer Valley, is already the biggest in the US (7,300 acres), it means anyone holidaying in the famous ski town of Park City will have more than 12,000 acres of terrain on their doorstep, about half as much again as North America’s biggest, Whistler Blackcomb. Unfortunately, though, there’s no joint lift pass. 

Alas the news isn’t so good for snowboarders with Deer Valley one of only three ski areas that still ban boarders. 

Austria

In Austria the leading ski resorts do battle each winter to offer the greatest comfort and efficiency on the slopes, so there’s a plethora of shiny new chairlifts and gondolas ready to start spinning. “Added AI safety monitoring” is the latest tech upgrade.  

Among the biggest developments are at Ischgl, which has announced three new 8-seater chairlifts, two of them operational this winter. Sölden will also add two new 8-seater chairs but is more excited about a new slope link between pistes 7 and 22 which connects all four valley stations – Gaislachkogl, Giggijoch, Postplatz and Sölden centre – into a seamless circuit. It also enables a continuous blue run from Hochsölden to Grünwald, offering a beginner-friendly route and reliable access during poor weather. 

France

La Plagne’s big upgrade for this winter completes a multi-year project to improve access to the resort’s highest terrain with a new gondola connecting Plagne Bellecôte to Roche de Mio via Col de Forcle. It follows the launch of the Glaciers gondola two years ago which connects Roche de Mio with the newly renamed Live 3000 summit area.  

Meanwhile across the valley on the other side of the giant Paradiski area in Les Arcs, skiers tackling one of the world’s great descents from the Aiguille Rouge above Les Arcs will be excited to hear of a €19 million upgrade of lifts on the lower half of the 2026 vertical metre descent to Villaroger. A new gondola cuts the previous 20-minute ascent time on the old chairlifts it replaces to less than 7 minutes from this winter. The project also involved environmental initiatives including planting 3,000 trees. 

Italy

For Italy the big focus is of course the upcoming Winter Olympics and Paralympics in February-March, the first in Western Europe for 20 years. Although christened the Milan-Cortina Olympics, events are spread across northern Italy with the men’s Alpine racing in Bormio and 26 freestyle and snowboarding medals up for grabs in Livigno. It’s here that the biggest number of new lifts in Europe are due to start spinning just ahead of the Games, with half-a-dozen new chairlifts and gondolas due to go into service improving access speed. There’s more snowmaking and several new runs too.   

Switzerland

Swiss ski resorts have seen some massive infrastructure upgrades in recent years, each costing £100m+, including the Matterhorn Glacier Crossing at Zermatt and, in the equally stunning Jungfrau region, the V-Bahn Project above Grindelwald and Wengen as well as the Schilthorn 20XX at Mürren. The latter is largely operational already and due to be fully completed by spring 2026.  

Nothing quite so huge as the above is happening this winter but there’s still plenty to announce including Arosa Lenzerheide’s new Stätzertäli quad chairlift, which replaces a 1994 lift with a new energy-efficient model that improves access between Stätzerhorn and Lavoz. 

Also, at the Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis ski region, now run by American Group Vail Resorts, is upgrading two outdated quad chairs to modern high-speed six-seaters, doubling lift capacity to 2,400 riders per hour. The new installations will halve journey times and enhance connectivity between Oberalp Pass and Milez/Cuolm Val. 

Speaking of Vail Resorts, they’ve added six leading Austrian resorts to their Epic Pass product this winter whilst the Ikon pass has bagged Italy’s Aosta Valley including Cervinia and Courmayeur.

Norway

Trysil, Norway’s largest ski resort, will unveils a nearly 2.5km long gondola this winter – its biggest-ever investment. With 81 cabins and 3,000 skiers/hour capacity, it improves access for families and beginners. Additional upgrades include snowmaking and slope development across its 70km of terrain near the Swedish border, with ski-in/ski-out accommodation. 

Canada

It’s a big birthday for Whistler Blackcomb this winter as it celebrates its 60^th anniversary. New this winter there are ‘Wonder Routes’ self-guided descents with various themes to enjoy.  

Meanwhile Lake Louise is expanding by 200 acres at Richardson’s Ridge, adding a quad chairlift, four named runs, and gladed terrain. It boosts the resort to 4,400 acres, intensifying its rivalry with British Columbia’s Sun Peaks for the title of Canada’s second-biggest. 

Lodging

As every winter, there are dozens of new chalets and hotels opening their doors for the first time this December, whilst some established names have seen big facelifts.  

Among the most exciting, Graciosa is a new luxury chalet complex in La Plagne, offering 16 fully catered suites for groups of 4 to 15. Located piste-side at 2003m, it features panoramic views, private jacuzzis, a lounge, bar, ski hire shop, massage room, and childcare facilities. It’s primed to deliver a spacious, high-altitude Alpine experience with operator VIP SKI’s signature service and concierge support. 

Across in Val d’Isère, the new Chalet Cervinia sleeps up to 13 across six en-suite bedrooms and a children’s bunk room. Located just 100m from the Joseray piste, it features a vast open-plan living space, private cinema, ski room, and a full spa with indoor pool, sauna, and hot tub. Operator Purple Ski’s signature service includes gourmet catering, chauffeur access, and concierge support for a seamless Alpine escape. 

To find out more about what’s new for the 25-26 season, please call our ski experts at 020 3944 7308.