Summer Skiing in Europe

Fattes · 02-05-2010 4:13pm #1

Right guys,
Quike guide to where you can get your snow fix during the summer in Europe. Most of the areas are quite limited with the 3 biggest in order being Zermatt, Hintertux and Saas Fee.

But even at that you will only have a limited number of runs and will only ski on most occasions till Mid Day or slightly later.

But most resorts have plenty to do in the afternoon with horse riding, white water rafting and losts of other stuff

AUSTRIA
Hintertux - the glacier is open for 365 days a year and is one of the best places to ski in the summer months with guaranteed good snow. Mostly a good mix of mainly blue and red pistes. Hintertux arguably has some of the most challenging and interesting slopes in Europe during the summer, and is also home to the highest World Cup half pipe all year round & a park that hosts allot of Europes top freestyle talent during the summer. There is also a board park on the glacier. Home to summer training for the Austrian ski team when they are not in south America.The nearest access airport is Innsbruck (1hr 30 mins to 2hrs), followed by Munich (2hrs to 3hrs). Accommodation can be found and booked by calling the Tourist Office on +43 (0)5287 8506, or visit www.tux.at
Kaprun/Kitzsteinhorn - The glacier is not as big as other Austrian areas but offers a good variety of blue and red runs, and spectacular views towards the lake at Zell. The last couple of summers have been had a mix of conditions from good to terrible The nearest access airport is Salzburg (1hr 30 mins). For accommodation, call the Tourist Office on +43 (0)6542 7700 or visit www.europasportregion.info
Stubai/Neustift - One of the best known glaciers in the world, the Stubai glacier is situated in its own valley (where Neustift is to be found) to the south of Innsbruck and the nearest airport (40 mins to Neustift). Skiers and boarders mainly stay in Neustift, and either drive or take the local bus to the bottom of the ski lifts. The glacier is both relatively large and interesting with a good choice of runs which are mainly graded blue. There is also a terrain park and half pipe on the glacier. The mild terrain suits summer skiing for beginners and relaitive newbies to the sport For accommodation, call the Tourist Office on +43 (0)5225 62235 or visit www.stubaier-gletscher.com

FRANCE
Tignes - the Grande Motte is arguably the most well known glacier in Europe, and is quite extensive with good, steeper-than-normal piste gradients. The underground funicular whisks skiers up through the mountain to the glacier slopes in a matter of minutes where further ski lifts allow access to the skiing, Big problem with Tignes is the crowded glacier with race teams setting courses everywhere and the ski area is rapidly shrinking Tignes village itself is so ugly not even Cilit would Bang it but thats France for you. The nearest airports are Chambery, Geneva and Lyon. For accommodation, call the Tourist Office on +33 (0)479 40 04 40, or visit www.tignesreservation.net.
Les Deux Alpes - another extensive glacier area but relatively flat with lots of blue pistes. Dramatic scenery and good extra activities mean the resort is busy in August during the main holiday period. The nearest access airport is Grenoble (2hrs). For accommodation, call the Tourist Office on +33 (0)476 79 22 00 or visit www.les2alpes.com
Val d'Isere - has skiing on the Pissaillas Glacier from the late June to the late July . There are 5 red pistes and 5 blue. For accommodation, call the Tourist Office on +33 (0)479 06 06 60 or visit www.valdisere.com
France's high altitude resorts, such as Alpe d'Huez, Les Arcs, La Plagne and Chamonix, and areas such as Les Trois Vallees and Espace Killy can offer great late and early season skiing.
ITALY

Cervinia (+39 0166 949 086) nearly always has the best early and late skiing in Italy with lifts often open in early November, and running through to late May. It is okay for summer skiing, although the neighbouring Zermatt glacier is largely regarded as the better option.
SWITZERLAND
Zermatt - a very large, but relatively flat glacier below Klein Matterhorn is open all year, offering quite extensive summer skiing coupled with many extra activities (including climbing the Matterhorn itself). The pistes are blue and dubious red in reality they are all blue and the views and scenery are fantastic - well worth considering. The nearest access airports are Geneva, Sion and Zurich which are best using a swiss transfet ticket to get to resort by train, as the village of Zermatt is car-free. For accommodation, call the Tourist Office on +41 (0)27 967 0181 or visit www.zermatt.ch
Saas Fee is set in a beautiful, glaciated position below the tumbling glaciers of Mittelallalin, at 3500m. Amazing views and steep runs make Saas Fee one of the best summer options.With a high-tech underground funicular, the Metro Alpin, getting to the glacier is both easy and quick. Another resort that is populare with race squads. It is also home ot a huge contingent of summer freestylers and hosts one of the best parks in Europe regardless of seasonAnother car Free swiss village Nearest access airports are Geneva, Zurich using a swiss transfet ticket to get to resort by train. For accommodation, call the Tourist Office on +41 (0)27 958 1858 or visit www.saas-fee.ch

paulharte · 02-05-2010 7:37pm

Fattes wrote: »

Right guys,
Quike guide to where you can get your snow fix during the summer in Europe. Most of the areas are quite limited with the 3 biggest in order being Zermatt, Hintertux and Saas Fee.

Sorry to contradict you here Fattes, but les 2 alpes is the biggest:

http://www.2alpes.com/pages/en/122/les-2-alpes-summer-skiing-snowboarding-on-the-largest-skiable-glacier-in-europe.html

Twice as many lifts on the glacier as Zermatt. Absoloutely class park too!! Thats where I'm headed this summer for a week or two!

Some of the old UCD snowsports crew made this vid there last summer, keep an eye out for the flips!! (and the gong in the park!!!)

granty1987 · 02-05-2010 9:10pm

paulharte wrote: »

Sorry to contradict you here Fattes, but les 2 alpes is the biggest:

http://www.2alpes.com/pages/en/122/les-2-alpes-summer-skiing-snowboarding-on-the-largest-skiable-glacier-in-europe.html

Twice as many lifts on the glacier as Zermatt. Absoloutely class park too!! Thats where I'm headed this summer for a week or two!

Some of the old UCD snowsports crew made this vid there last summer, keep an eye out for the flips!! (and the gong in the park!!!)

Paul here forgot to post a link for 'this' vid anyways here it is;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uKvgm9ONeg

and another for good measure!
http://www.vimeo.com/6330452

Fattes · 02-05-2010 9:16pm

This is one of these things that will always cause diffrence and Zermatts website claims it is the biggest.
http://www.ski-zermatt.com/summer-skiing.html

And the figure on the official site is diffrent for 2 alpes are about a third smaller than the 30O quoted on your link? ???????

http://www.les2alpes.com/en/ete/ski-dete.html

Its not all about the number of lifts. Kicking Horse is one of the greatest resorts in the world and has some epic terrain but only 2 fully operational lifts and a third which seldom runs. Ant Tux is set up to minimise drags by focusing on the chair and gondola

Zermatt and Tux both claim to have the larges area based on KM of runs that will be open even in the midlle of july They are also the only two that are now open 365 days a year in Europe.

Zermatt claimes 25km of runs open all summer and Hintertux claims 23km

You wouldnt want to go off a marked run on any glacier despite how much snow is outside the markers.

Personally both Zermatt and 2 alps are two shallow for most of the summer to be good for anything but the park. Tux is great but the snow gets chopped up really quickly and Saas closes to much but you have to find a happy middle of the road resort that can cover all bases.

Static M.e. · 03-05-2010 1:04pm

Thank you Fattes, going to sticky this, very helpful

Fattes · 03-05-2010 7:42pm

Static M.e.; Cheers will try to update it as I will be out in Tignes and Saas Fee this summer so we can let people know how the glaciers are holding up

I am sure the Paul and Granty can do the same for 2Alpes.

It is changing soo dramatically from year to year with dates etc

paulharte · 03-05-2010 7:49pm

kaprun opens 365 days a year too. http://en.kitzsteinhorn.at/ski_board/ another place with a class park.

rahtkennades · 06-05-2010 6:35pm

paulharte wrote: »

kaprun opens 365 days a year too. http://en.kitzsteinhorn.at/ski_board/ another place with a class park.

Was there for Easter week, good fun. Stayed here, it's on the mountain at the Alpincenter (bottom of the summer ski area). Pretty quiet and family friendly, but you're first on the mountain and last off each night! Also, ski lessons are at €6 per person per day (yes, €6!). I didn't get any (boarder) but my friends all did and were very happy with the quality and class sizes.

paulharte · 06-05-2010 10:26pm

rahtkennades wrote: »

Was there for Easter week, good fun. Stayed here, it's on the mountain at the Alpincenter (bottom of the summer ski area). Pretty quiet and family friendly, but you're first on the mountain and last off each night! Also, ski lessons are at €6 per person per day (yes, €6!). I didn't get any (boarder) but my friends all did and were very happy with the quality and class sizes.

Holy schnikeys!!! I didn't realise you can stay in that gaff!! Its in the middle of the hill! There is an awesome spot to try to huck fronties right on the front doorstep, myself and jamie were there in 2008 http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1958/193/100/656130927/n656130927_2360761_2626.jpg

That is another level of ski-in, ski-out...

rahtkennades · 07-05-2010 10:25pm

paulharte wrote: »

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1958/193/100/656130927/n656130927_2360761_2626.jpg

Haha.. sweet! Yeah it's not bad. Each day we took the last gondola to the top of the glacier, waited till everybody had gone, and took our time on the way down with the mountain to ourselves. Nice! It is a bit restrictive if you're looking for a bit of a party, but there's facilities in the centre (sauna, gym, football court, etc) and a bar to keep you occupied at night. Also it's full board so you get well fed for the week.

Fattes · 08-06-2010 9:50pm

Just incase any one is planning a trip to Kitzsteinhorn it is closed for the next two weeks.

Same as last year it may be closed for longer based on the results of the examination. Last year it was closed for little over a month:mad:

http://en.kitzsteinhorn.at/

Static M.e. · 18-06-2010 4:27pm

Is anyone Summer boarding at the minute?

If so, where are you and whats it like?

Trying to decide between a summer or snow holiday over the summer..funds are tight so not sure if snow would be doable

Fattes · 18-06-2010 8:42pm

Static M.e.I know a couple of the guys are heading to Deux Alps if you can get on to any of them, summer skiing is a sun holiday just that you hit the snow for the first 3-4 hours of the day and then come back down to a Pool/Lake/River and 30 Degrees in the afternoon:D

Static M.e. · 21-06-2010 10:13am

Yeah it sounds good, 3 to 4 hours is just the right amount of time for me to crease myself every morning..

Thanks, I might check out Deux Alps

Fattes · 24-06-2010 10:22pm

Posts: 1132There have been low temperatures and snow on glaciers throughout the Alps in the past few days. In Austria, the Hintertux glacier had 10cm of fresh snow on 20 June, and has a 195cm base....See: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Hintertux/conditions

The Dachstein glacier had 15cm of fresh snow on 21 June and has a 230cm base.
See: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Dachstein-Glacier/conditions

The Kitzsteinhorn glacier above Kaprun had 6cm of fresh snow on 21 June, on top of a base of 144cm.
See: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Kaprun/conditions

In Italy, Presena glacier and Val Senales are open and had 5cm fresh snow on 21 June on a base of 150cm and 100cm, respectively. They will be joined by Cervinia, which re-opens at the weekend.
See: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Presna-Glacier/conditions and http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Val-Senales/conditions

In Switzerland, only Zermatt is open, with a base of 190cm and 5cm of fresh snow on 21 June.
See: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Zermatt/conditions

In France the ski lifts began running again at the weekend in Tignes on the Grande Motte glacier, while Les Deux Alpes re-opened a week ago. In Tignes, the snow base is 120cm, and there's been another 5cm of fresh snow this week. Les Deux Alpes has 270cm of snow on the upper slopes, but no fresh snow since 6 June.
See: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Tignes/conditions and http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Les-Deux-Alpes/conditions
Quick weather and snow update for you all. Over the last week or two the temps have been low and there has been fresh Snow at allot of the Glaciers.

In Austria, the Hintertux glacier had 10cm of fresh snow on 20 June, and has a 195cm base....See: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Hintertux/conditions

Austria again and the Dachstein glacier had 15cm of fresh snow on 21 June and has a 230cm base.
See: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Dachstein-Glacier/conditions

The Kitzsteinhorn glacier above Kaprun had 6cm of fresh snow on 21 June, on top of a base of 144cm.
See: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Kaprun/conditions

In Switzerland, only Zermatt is open, with a base of 190cm and 5cm of fresh snow on 21 June. Saas fee is due to open in a week and is reporting excellent conditions
See: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Zermatt/conditions

France the ski lifts are open in Tignes on the Grande Motte glacier, while Les Deux Alpes re-opened a week ago. In Tignes, the snow base is 120cm, and there's been another 5cm of fresh snow this week. Les Deux Alpes has 270cm of snow on the upper slopes, but no fresh snow since 6 June but reports are that conditions are amazing.
See: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Tignes/conditions and http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Les-Deux-Alpes/conditions

Poster King · 27-07-2010 9:49am

http://www.tignes.net/en/ski-a-tignes/webcams-290.html
Grande Motte glacier in Tignes seems to have reduced in size since I was there just a few years ago. I wonder how many more years they will get out of it? We had good skiing when we were there, good now in July and no queues and sunny warm weather. Lots to do in the afternoon. Mountain biking the main activity these days.
I saw the Pissaillas Glacier above Val d'Isere listed above. I don't think it has been open for summer skiing for several years now. There is no mention of it on their website. I was there a few years ago in July and the glacier has almost completely disappeared.

Overflow · 06-08-2010 10:52am

Norway

Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Centre
Located below Norway's highest mountain Galdhøpiggen (2,469 metres above sea level) and on the Juvbreen Glacier, this is the summer ski centre with the highest altitude in Norway. Here you have possibilities for powder even during the summer. The centre has one slope suitable for snowboarders, downhill skiers and Telemark skiers.

http://www.gpss.no/

Stryn Summer Ski Centre
The centre has a great terrain park that attracts snowboarders, jibbers and twin tip skiers from around the world. In addition there are several slopes varying in difficulty level.

Two lifts take you up to nearly 1,600 metres above sea level. From here you have wonderful views of mountains, green valleys, waterfalls and fjords. There are also possibilities for cross-country skiing from the top.

http://www.strynefjellet.com/

Folgefonna Summer Ski Centre
Enjoy skiing on the Folgefonna Glacier, the third largest glacier on mainland Norway. Here you can go cross-country skiing, alpine skiing or try tricks and jumps in the centre’s terrain park.

http://www.folgefonn.no/

These places are pretty remote in Norway although accessible be prepared for some travelling. Its well worth it, you cant beat the scenery in Norway.

Fattes · 01-09-2010 8:15pm

Ok French summer skiing is now done

But it is September which means Hintertu is looking crackin, as is Obergurgal!

Static M.e. · 02-09-2010 4:12pm

Austria I take it, are you going to go over for a spin?

I_luv_2_ski! · 07-09-2010 7:38pm

Fattes, I must say i dislike u right now for making me depressed that after skiing twice in 2009 I wont be skiing at all in 2010!!!

esp after ur whole summer spent in Saas Fee, think I might have to go live there for the summer next year to make up for missing the snow this year!!!

The only time I'm going to be on skies is the Grom camp and possible in Milton Keyes when I go over in October!

Fattes · 08-09-2010 7:22pm

I_luv_2_ski

:D:D:D:D

Well if you are out in Saas next summer I will set you a seat at our wedding as it will be in Saas next Aug.

Timmy_shreds · 18-09-2010 9:18pm

Another lesser known Glacier is Kaunertal
A local favourite and kept nice and quiet. The central Europe season opener party/comp is on here each Autumn. Looking at the webcams they seem to be shut down until the next big dump. Europe has had a couple of good snowfalls already from what I have heard. Guess its melted.

Gigi Rufs home village of Au, is further down the valley. Massive freeride possibilities even in May June and beyond. The glacier car park is situated in the middle of the slopes so you can ride a whole host of chair lift accessed slopes or ride the T-bars above. Isenseven do much off season filming there. Lots of backcountry kicker spots year round and multiple road gaps to be had.
Mega park, medium park, mini shred jib park, super pipe and race gates all available.

The drive up to the glacier is stunning. Switch back craziness and a massive resivoir that gets avalanached quite often but safe enough.

The UK boardtest is there in May and anyone can attend. Keep an eye out for dates.
Situated in far western Austria, slap bang on the Austrian/ Italian boarder.
The nearest town to the glacier is Feichten. Sleeply little farm village with good modern pubs, eateries and supermarket. Austrian tip* pick up your lunch at the deli counter in any local supermarket. 3euro buys you two stacked meat and cheese semmels(rolls) of your choosing.

http://www.kaunertal.com/xxl/kaunertal/de/kt_anreise/index.html
zoom out on the map and go south to see the glacier

GarMani · 06-10-2010 7:14pm

We were there in September 2009. We stayed in Livigno, because some of our friends wanted to go downhill mountain biking.
The Stelvio is about an hour and a quarter from Livigno, a little over half an hour from Bormio on what TOP GEAR described at one time as The Best Driving Road in the world. You'd come across a sign telling you that there are 21 hairpin bends ahead...and they're all signposted and numbered.

We had 3 days...the first day it was fogged out of it, so my journey was fruitless...it's worth ringing ahead.

The cable cars are quite slow to get up to the snow slopes there.
There are only drag lifts.
The best slopes are closed off by many international ski teams practicing slaloms.
Firm in the morning and slushy in the afternoon.

Overall it just gave me my fix to keep me going, but no real thrills. It was better than going to Craigavon dry slope, but I think that's been refurbished.

Printer · 01-03-2011 5:40pm

For anyone looking into summer snowboarding I am running a Freestyle Snowboard Camp in Les Deux Alpes in July for a week.

You get coached in the morning by myself and another fully certified freestyle coach and ex-pro rider, laze by the pool in the afternoon or play beach volleyball or trampolining or any of the other activities on offer and then get to chill at night in the chalet with pool table, jacuzzi and sauna.

Its €950 for the week and that includes:
6 day lift pass
6 days of snowboard coaching and instruction by Irish National Snowboard Champion and a fully certified freestyle coach
Individual video analysis feedback sessions every evening with the coaches
7 nights chalet accommodation with pool table, jacuzzi and sauna
3 meals per day (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) and snacks
Transport to and from Grenoble airport
A camp DVD with all the footage from the week
Snowboard tuning session on how to keep your gear maintained
Snowboard buying guide session and booklet with info on what gear to buy and where to find it
Daily access to swimming pool and ice-rink
Other activities and games such as rock-climbing, volleyball etc
Certificate from Learning Curve Camps
End of camp prize giving ceremony
24 Hour Supervision (Under 18′s camp)

Check out the website here:
www.learningcurvecamps.com

Any questions just holler!

deadringer · 26-07-2012 1:32am

Where is good in Europe to get some snowboarding in in August guys?

petronius · 20-08-2013 1:24pm

The Stelvio glacier in Italy is an option for summer skiing - never been there myself, but I found Italy cheaper to ski than in france.

http://www.passostelvio.com/

It is not far from Livigno or the swiss boarder

zagmund · 20-08-2013 6:49pm

We spent a couple of days on the slopes (inclines, really) in Kaprun this Summer. There are a couple of local buses from Zell am See around the 0740-0820 slot which will get you to Kaprun in time for a reasonable length on the slopes.

You get 50% off ski hire & lift passes with the 7 day "Berg und Bad" pass for Zell am See. The pass itself costs something like €70, but it gives you access to a good few things around the town, and a single ride up the cable car would set you back something like €25-€30 in Summer so it's well worth it.

You need to start the day early since the snow degrades pretty early in the day. Leaving Zell about 0800 had us on the slopes, with boots & skis hired by about 0930. We ended up having 'lunch' some time shortly after 1100, and wrapping it all up around 1400ish.

I just checked the accounts and for 2 days lift pass & ski hire came to ~€210 for 2 adults & 2 kids. It boils down to just over €100 for a full days entertainment. Not too cheap, but equally not too expensive compared to other full day activites.

You can even (if you are so minded) go for a swim in a lake of glacier run-off while you are up there. That's one I can tick off the list. Once I warm up.

z

petronius · 21-08-2013 10:26am

Anyone who I know who went for a summer ski trip - did stress how the conditions in the afternoon were poor under ski, and so it was vital to ski in the morning.
So if your going for a weekend see if there is a near by festival, food or beer, or other activity to keep occupied in the early evening

Fattes · 23-08-2013 1:02pm

deadringerYour current options are - Les Deux Alps France, Tignes France, Hintertux Austria, Zermatt, Switzerland, Saas Fee Switzerland.

These are all currently open the way all operate is the open at 7am in the morning and will normally close by 1/2 for skiing. To be brutally hones past 11 most are quite slush and if you are riding a park great but if you are looking for piste or speed you will be done by 11 most days.

Current conditions in Saas Fee, Zermatt, Tignes and Deux Alps are all really good. Have been on Saas Fee, and Zermatt in the last 2 weeks myself. There is a pic in the Photos Thread to give you an idea.

Nearly all Glacial resorts will have tons do do in the afternoon some are more party focused, some more training focused

Probably the best & cheapest option for a weekend if you just want to Shred is Landgraff Snowworld in Holland.

navigator · 08-10-2013 2:19pm

Cervinia (Italy) offers always a good quality snow, thanks to the altitude of its ski area (3000-3900 mt), and scenery is superb, skiing in front of stunning Cervino-Matterhorn

Hiddden · 28-04-2019 1:01pm

I want to go skiing next weekend (May bank holiday). Seems like the best flights are to Geneva. I did read the main post in the thread but it's still complicated for me to figure which spot would be the best from Geneva airport. I am traveling alone and rather not rent a car but use public transport/transfer. Any help is much appreciated.

Summer Skiing in Europe

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