TOP RESORTS FOR SUMMER SKIING
Zermatt is one of Europe’s highest and biggest summer resorts. You can still enjoy 21km of pistes up until about midday, accessed by the Klein Matterhorn cable car. Runs are mostly blues and reds and for freestyle fans there is the summer Zermatt Snowpark. You’re likely to bump into some famous skiers this time of year with hundreds of ski teams using the Zermatt slopes to train for the winter season. In the afternoons you can keep busy hiking Matterhorn, or in the forest fun park - an alpine jungle with 30 zip wires.
Zermatt Summer Skiing Tourist Board - https://www.zermatt.ch/en/summer-skiing
Les Deux Alpes has one of the largest ski glaciers in Europe, guaranteeing natural summer snow. Opening from 7:30am to 12:30pm during the summer ski season, the glaciers feature red, blue and green runs accessed by chair lifts, tow lifts, gondolas and cable cars. The snowpark is one of the best in Europe, featuring a 22ft Olympic superpipe, as well as modestly sized beginner’s versions! There are a lot of Learn to Ski summer courses available.
Les Deux Alpes Summer Skiing Tourist Board - https://summer.les2alpes.com/en
Whistler is a world-class resort and summers see high-profile racers and trainers flocking to the Hortsman glacier for training camps. The slopes are open from 11:00am - 3:00pm, with a scenic 45-minute ride up to the glacier via three chairlifts, with stunning views of the entire Whistler Valley from the top. There are plenty of opportunities to get ready for the season ahead with many skill-building summer camps available. With hiking, biking, zip-lining and golf all available if you want to fill the afternoons with non-skiing activity.
Whistler Summer Skiing Tourist Board - https://www.whistler.com/activities/summer-skiing/
Tignes is one of the best resorts for the range of summer skiing it offers, the Grande Motte glacier has one of the fairest mixes of blues, reds and blacks. The slopes are open between 7:15am - 1:00pm, there are 20km of runs open in total, plus a varied cross country area and snow park. The snow park is a popular choice for amateurs and pros, featuring a half-pipe, rails, moguls, a hip ramp, quarter-ramps and a rainbow rail. As the sun gets stronger in the afternoon you can enjoy a fantastic variety of watersports with white water rafting, canyoning, kayaking, canoeing and sailing available as well as plenty of scenic walks and bike routes available.
Tignes Summer Skiing Tourist Board - https://en.tignes.net/
Hintertux has up to 20km of slopes open, accessible via 10 lifts in the summer months. It is better known for its challenging, steep terrain however there are a good range of runs which will accommodate all levels. The fantastic freeride terrain at Larmstange is a magnet for deep snow fans and snowboarders and free-skiers appreciate the free-style opportunities offered in Betterpark as well as the beginner friendly Familypark Hintertux. Off the slopes there are natural places of interest you might not get time to visit in the winter season - including Nature’s Ice Palace! There are also plenty of hiking and mountain trails.
Hintertux Summer Skiing Tourist Board - https://www.hintertuxergletscher.at/en/specials/hintertux-glacier/
The Allalin Glacier offers fantastic summer skiing with its north-facing slopes, making for very reliable and light powdery snow. Offering 100km of pistes best suiting confident beginners and intermediates. Popular with freestylers, the snowpark has a half-pipe, kickers, rails,boxes and transitions in all shapes and sizes to suit all skill levels. The surrounding mountains are stunning - known as The Pearl of the Alps, the resort has 13 peaks measuring 4,000m and higher towering above it. This makes it a perfect destination for hiking, but there is also a leisure centre with a 25m pool, kids’ pool, waterslide, hot tub, a variety of saunas and steam rooms, and a gym.
Saas Fee Summer Skiing Tourist Board - https://www.saas-fee.ch/en/mountains/skiing/summer-ski/
The Kitzstenhorn Glacier above Kaprun has a large summer ski area with varie runs and a terrain park. Best for intermediate skiers the glacier offers 15km of slopes - mainly reds and blues. The area looks over the gorgeous Hohe Tauern National Park and the viewing platform is particularly stunning in the summer months. After a morning snowing you can relax at the Ice Arena where you’ll find a snow beach complete with deck chairs, igloos, snow slides and an ice bar. You can also take free guided panoramic hikes across the glacier.
Kaprun Summer Skiing Tourist Board - https://www.kitzsteinhorn.at/en
