<p>If you find there to be never enough slope hours in the day why not try skiing at night?</p>
Photo: Hans Herbig/Tirol Werbung

A Guide to Night Skiing

If you find there to be never enough slope hours in the day why not try skiing at night?

Advice
Published at: 7 Feb 2020
Last updated at: 9 Nov 2023

Discover the mountains in a new light through night-time skiing! Extremely popular across many resorts around the world, this winter activity gives skiing a whole new dimension with skiers able to extend their session into the late hours of the evening. From night skiing parties in Courchevel to fondue and head torch descents in Villars, make the most of your skiing holiday and enjoy the adventure of riding under the stars with views of twinkling village lights below.

Alicia Bryan
Alicia Bryan
Night skiing in CourchevelPhoto: Courchevel Tourisme

Benefits of Night Skiing

  1. Night skiing tends to have quiet slopes and smaller crowds, so head to the piste in the evening and explore alternative winter activities during the day such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
  2. Night ski passes are usually cheaper than day ski passes. 
  3. Following a late night in the bars and clubs of the resort, you can have that lie-in and explore the quiet slopes in the evening instead. 
  4. Visibility tends to be clearer at night with floodlights casting shadows for every lump and bump making it much easier to avoid uneven terrain.

Highlights of Night Skiing

The resort of Hirafu in Japan has offered nighttime skiing every evening for the last 50 years with skiers even able to explore the floodlit backcountry. Available in most of the ski resorts across Japan, night skiing runs from mid-December through to mid-March depending on the snow cover.

On three nights between January and April, Zillertal hosts a “Moonlight Skiing & Dinner" event. Feast on a traditional Tyrolean dinner in a cosy mountain restaurant before making your way down the glittering moonlit slopes. In the Three Valleys, Courchevel offers night-skiing every Wednesday from 18.00 to 20.00 on the floodlit Verdons piste. Practice your tricks in the family park before enjoying a hot drink or dinner at Les Verdons mountain restaurant.

The Dolomites are particularly popular for night-skiing; in Val di Fiemme you can ski on the Olimpia 3 slope at Alpe Cermis every Wednesday and Friday from 19.30 to 22.30 and on the Obereggen slope at Ski Centre Latemar on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 19.00 to 22.00.

Finally one of the most exciting night time ski events and a highlight in the winter calendar for Madonna di Campiglio, the 3Tre FIS Ski World Cup night slalom sees athletes compete on the floodlit Canalone Miramonti slope in front of 45,000 cheering fans.

Skiing race at night in CourchevelPhoto: Courchevel Tourisme

Top Tips for Night Skiing

  1. When getting ready for night skiing, make sure you wear plenty of layers including merino wool base layers as temperatures drop and wind chill picks up as the evening progresses. 
  2. The sun might not be out, but make sure you wear your goggles to help protect your eyes from the snow and ice. Opting for a clear or yellow lens will help with night time visibility. 
  3. Check to see if your ski pass includes night skiing as some evening ski sessions are at an additional cost. 
  4. With the last run between 8 and 11 pm, head down to a local restaurant and refuel after a hard session skiing with some local cuisine.