First Non-Glacial Ski Resorts in the Northern Hemisphere Open in Just 50 Days

Ruka Ski Resort in Finland| Image: Ruka Facebook

The longest day of the year has passed, and fall is on the way. The air is cooling, the days are getting shorter, and ski season is creeping closer. In just 50 days, the first non-glacial ski resorts in the Northern Hemisphere will kick off winter 2025–26 — and they’re both in Finland.

Levi Ski Resort | Image: Levi Facebook

Levi and Ruka Set for Early October Opening
Levi, Finland’s largest ski area, has confirmed it will open from October 3–5, 2025. While Ruka has not yet officially announced its date, history suggests it will launch on the same day. Together, these resorts are usually the first to open in the Northern Hemisphere without relying on glaciers.

To pull it off, Levi and Ruka use an innovative snow farming process, storing large piles of last season’s snow under insulating covers. This method preserves up to 75% of the snow for use in the following winter. Even if temperatures aren’t low enough for snowmaking, snow farming ensures the slopes are ready on opening day.

Snow farming at Ruka Ski Resort | Image: Snow Secure

Snow Farming – A Climate-Resilient Solution
With climate change shortening ski seasons and making early openings harder, snow farming offers a reliable alternative. Resorts in Europe such as Courchevel in France and Kitzbühel in Austria have also adopted the technique. By protecting snow during the off-season, they can guarantee early openings without depending entirely on cold weather.

In North America, early-season openings are often a race between Arapahoe Basin and Loveland in Colorado. However, unlike Ruka and Levi, these ski areas rely on early-season snowmaking, which requires freezing temperatures by late September or early October.

Opening day runs at Levi, Finland | Image: Levi

Why Early Openings Matter
For resorts, the holiday period is one of the most profitable times of the year. Having a strong start to the season not only excites loyal guests but also brings in early revenue, helping offset the unpredictability of winter weather.

With snow farming, resorts like Ruka and Levi can give skiers a head start on the season and a reliable one at that. As climate challenges continue, expect to see more ski destinations adopting similar methods to keep the lifts spinning earlier than ever.

The Bottom Line

The countdown is on: in just 50 days, the first turns of the Northern Hemisphere’s 2025–26 ski season will be made in Finland. Whether you’re booking flights to Levi and Ruka or just warming up for your local hill’s opening day, early-season stoke is here.

Want to track opening dates, see live snow conditions, and get alerts for first chair? Shredder puts all that in your pocket, so you can be the first to know when your favorite resort is ready to ride.