North American Ski Resort Opening Dates for 2026/27 Season

Featured Image: Reuben Krabbe

The dog days of summer have most people fixated on how they can beat the heat. But you, dear reader, know that August comes with a glimmer of hope, as ski resorts have begun rolling out their anticipated opening dates. For those who aren’t obsessed with strapping two planks of wood to their feet and charging down a mountain, it probably seems insane to focus on winter right now. Then there are those of us who think waking up at 4 a.m. to beat traffic and spend a day in the cold with tight boots on is exactly what life is all about.

This ski season is already building anticipation, as a strong El Niño is expected to bring ample precipitation to the southern Rockies, bringing the potential for some deep powder days. But for much of the United States, El Niño remains a gamble. Some would say the uncertainty only makes the countdown more exciting. On top of that, many ski resorts have spent the summer upgrading lifts , expanding terrain and making improvements ahead of opening days. Now, let’s just all hope this El Niño is on our side so we can explore those new lifts and trails in fresh snow.

Below is a list of resorts that have announced their tentative opening dates for the 2026/27 ski season, along with the typical opening timeframe for resorts that haven’t announced their 2026/27 dates yet. Get your calendar out, because if you're as excited as we are, you’ll be counting down the days right alongside us.

Editor's Note: FREESKIER will update this list as more confirmed dates get published.