Are you feeling hot right now? Are you dreaming of skiing again and planning which catered chalet you’re going to book for next winter?
Us too! But did you know that the ski season isn’t over yet? Across the Alps, several glacier resorts are still spinning lifts well into summer, offering everything from early-morning carving to terrain parks and race training camps.
While summer skiing in Europe isn’t as extensive as it once was, there are still plenty of opportunities to make turns above 3000m – with resorts due to open in the coming weeks.
We take a look at the best places to escape the heat and get back on the snow right now…
Zermatt, Switzerland
Europe’s most iconic summer ski destination of Zermatt remains one of the safest bets for snow.
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ski area takes you up to 3800m and offers some of the highest lift-served skiing in Europe.
Summer operations typically include glacier pistes, race training lanes and freestyle features, with access shared with neighbouring Cervinia on the Italian side.
Conditions are usually best first thing in the morning before the glacier softens in the heat. The resort also benefits from excellent lift infrastructure and is one of the few ski resorts open all year round.
Hintertux, Austria
This Austrian glacier ski area is also open 365 days a year and is one of the best options for reliable summer snow.
Depending on conditions, up to 20km of pistes can remain open through summer, served by more than ten lifts.
The glacier is especially popular with race teams and freestyle skiers, while nearby Mayrhofen and the surrounding Zillertal valley offers hiking, mountain biking and classic Austrian mountain huts once the lifts close.
Les Deux Alpes, France
France’s best-known summer ski area is back operating on the glacier above Les 2 Alpes.
The resort claims the largest skiable glacier in Europe, with terrain stretching between roughly 2800m and 3600m.
‘Summer’ skiing here runs directly through from the end of the regular ‘winter’ season into early July, with terrain parks attracting freestyle camps from across Europe.
Off the snow, Les Deux Alpes transforms into one of the Alps’ biggest summer mountain biking destinations and has a new swimming pool that opened earlier this year.
Passo Stelvio, Italy
One of the more unusual summer ski experiences in Europe, Passo Stelvio is effectively a ski area built around a high mountain pass rather than a traditional resort village.
The glacier area usually opens from late May and becomes a magnet for ski racers and national teams during the summer months.
Unlike the large integrated resorts elsewhere in the Alps, skiing here feels more old-school and training-focused — but that’s part of the appeal.
Saas-Fee, Switzerland – Opening Soon
Saas-Fee’s glacier season is due to begin later this summer, with skiing typically running from mid-July into autumn.
The Allalin Glacier reaches 3600m and is particularly popular with racers – don’t be surprised if you end up sharing the T-bar with an international ski racer.
The car-free Swiss village is another bonus that remains one of the most beautiful and relaxed summer ski bases in the Alps.
A note on the future of Summer Skiing
Summer skiing in Europe is increasingly weather dependent. While both Zermatt and Hintertux aspire to remain open 365 days per year, rising alpine temperatures have forced them to temporarily suspend operations during heatwaves in recent years.
That means flexibility is essential. Many glacier areas operate early-morning schedules only, with lifts often closing around midday once snow conditions deteriorate.
Skiing on the sunshine
However, when it’s hot in the valley, for keen skiers and snowboarders, there’s still nothing quite like skiing in the sunshine.
For independent advice on finding the right accommodation for you please call our team on 01822 617761 or contact us via our website.