Early September snow hits Alpine glaciers while major ski resorts unveil new lifts for 2025/26. Get expert ski boot fitting tips and season preparation advice from Hike & Ride.

Alpine Glaciers See Early September Snow for 2025/26 Ski Season

September snow is often a tease, but this year the Alps have delivered exceptional early conditions. Fresh snow on high-altitude glaciers like Saas Fee and Zermatt has stoked excitement for the coming 2025/26 ski season. Meanwhile, ski resorts across Europe are investing millions in new ski lift upgrades, making this one of the most anticipated winters in years. For Hike & Ride clients, it's the perfect reminder that getting your ski boot fitting sorted now pays off when the chairlifts start spinning.

September Snow Report: Which Alpine Ski Areas Are Open?

Snow-Forecast's 10 September update reports that fresh snow returned to higher elevations, with Saas Fee glacier skiing and Zermatt glacier skiing seeing weekend accumulations. Austria's Pitztal Glacier plans to open in just over a fortnight, and Sölden ski resort may start as early as 25 September.

Only Saas Fee, Zermatt, and Italy's Passo Stelvio were open at the beginning of September, but weather forecasts hint at more snow above 3,000m as temperatures dip.

For UK skiers eager for early season skiing, this news is gold. Yet early-season conditions can be unpredictable, and nothing ruins a powder day faster than painful rental boots. As many of our customers have discovered, booking a Hike & Ride ski boot fitting now means you'll hit the slopes with confidence when the snow arrives.

Jen's mobile ski boot fitting service – backed by 15 seasons of experience and a background in exercise science – ensures your boots are perfectly moulded to your feet and skiing style.

Major Ski Lift Upgrades for 2025/26 Season

Beyond the early snow reports, European ski resorts are unveiling impressive infrastructure projects that will transform your skiing experience:

French Alps Ski Lift Investments

Tignes ski resort is replacing its old lift to the Aiguille Percée with a high-speed six-seater chair that carries 2,800 skiers per hour and reaches the top in just 3 minutes 20 seconds.

In the Three Valleys ski area, Méribel-Mottaret is installing a 50-cabin gondola on the Côte Brune line, boosting capacity to 2,600 people per hour while reducing pylons. Courchevel 1850's new Chenus gondola features 54 cabins with eco-friendly solar panels and rainwater collection systems.

Swiss and Austrian Ski Resort Developments

Verbier ski resort isn't standing still either: the ageing Savoleyres cable car will be retired and replaced by a six-seater chair this winter, with a Télémixte (mix of gondolas and chairs) to follow.

Even Austria is thinking big, with plans to merge KitzSki and SkiWelt to create a massive 500km ski domain with 139 lifts – potentially creating one of Europe's largest ski areas.

Why New Ski Lifts Matter for Your Ski Holiday

For skiers, these ski lift upgrades mean:

• Faster mountain access
• Fewer lift queues
• More skiable terrain
• Enhanced comfort and reliability

For Hike & Ride clients, new lifts are a cue to stress the importance of properly fitted ski equipment. Modern lifts tempt us to ski more runs, but tired feet or poor boot alignment can cut a day short. Our clients consistently tell us that after a professional boot fitting session, they enjoy "first lift out, last lift back" – the dream scenario when exploring modernised resorts.

UK Indoor Skiing Scene Continues to Grow

Back home, the UK indoor skiing market is buzzing with developments. Chill Factore in Manchester has been rebranded as The Snow Centre Manchester, uniting it with Hemel Hempstead under a dynamic new identity.

The rebrand reflects ongoing investment and aims to make snowsports more accessible across the UK. Both centres will host pre-season ski events:

• Ski Focus Summit at Hemel Hempstead (9–10 September): featuring ski tests, digital coaching, and precision boot fitting
• Northern Snow Show in Manchester (4–5 October): showcasing the latest ski gear and services

Prepare for the 2025/26 Ski Season Now

The 2025/26 ski season is shaping up beautifully with early snow on Alpine glaciers, innovative lift systems, and an energised UK snowsports scene. Make the most of it by preparing now:

1. Book your Hike & Ride ski boot fitting for optimal comfort and performance
2. Attend pre-season skiing events to test new gear and get expert advice
3. Plan your ski holidays to the resorts with exciting new lift systems
4. Get your ski equipment serviced before the season starts

Ready to make this your best ski season yet? Contact Hike & Ride today for expert boot fitting that will keep you comfortable from first tracks to last light.

About Hike & Ride: Specialising in mobile ski boot fitting across the UK, with 14+ seasons of experience and exercise science expertise. Get perfectly fitted boots delivered to your door.