Summer Snowsports | These European Glaciers Are Opening For Summer

All the latest news regarding European summer ski resort openings 2020 (last updated 29th May)

Be honest with yourself. How many skiing or snowboarding films have you binge watched in the past eight weeks of lockdown? The Book of Gnar on repeat? The entire Travis Rice backlog? Or did you go as far as watching the entire Whitelines Snowboard Movie World Cup? Need to get outside and go for a shred? We think you do.

Fear not, as all is not lost. News has begun to be released from many of the European ski resorts – who lost out on a large chuck of their winter seasons due to C-19 closures – that they’re going to soon be tentatively opening their glacial skiing and snowboarding to the public.

“They’re going to soon be tentatively opening their glacial skiing and snowboarding”

I must of course preface this with that fact that getting to many of the resorts is of course going to be a problem in this current state. Borders are currently closed and quarantine measures are in place for visitors. But, if you look at the reciprocal agreement for travel between the UK and France there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

If you do find yourself lucky enough to be skiing on a glacier this summer, then make sure you do keep yourself safe and away from the already stretched hospitals around the world. Stay alert, stay safe and save lives, and all that good stuff.

Tignes

Open From: 20th June – 2nd August
(The opening dates may change depending on the health situation and government measures: More info)

Tignes offers up 20 km of pistes on their Grande Motte glacier, reaching a height of 3,456 metres. This height makes it an extremely snow sure summer skiing destination, especially after a winter of heavy snowfall has allowed for huge quantities of snow to be added to the glacier. When you’re not out on the slopes, you’ll have the option to shred your way down some of the finest mountain bike trails in France. Winner.

Les Deux Alpes

Open From: 6th & 7th June / 13th & 14th June / 20th June – August 30th

Fellow French resort Les Deux Alpes aims to open their glacier on the first three weekends of June, and then permanently from 20th Juneuntil 30th August. You’ve got yourself a few pistes to enjoy over in L2A, but it really wins its bacon with a huge snow park that includes a superpipe. All of this is topped off with some pretty stunning panoramas of the southern end of the Alps.

Zermatt

Open From: 8th June

As long as the authorities allow, the cable cars of Zermatt are set to resume operation from 8th June. On top of the cable cars, restaurants and shops are opening again this week – along with most hotels and holiday apartments looking to open their doors for the summer season.

If you can’t get yourself to Zermatt this summer, then you can do the next best thing and give our Backcountry Ski Guide videos as watch – it’s almost as though you’re there.

Hintertux

Open From: 29th May

’Tux’ glacier is the big boy of this glacial skiing list, with 10 lifts and 20 km of pistes being available for those of us lucky enough to find them in this plucky Austrian resort. Two gondolas take you up from the valley floor at 1,500 metres to the summit of 3,250 metres, and you’ve then got a pretty impressive amount of pistes below to choose from on top of a park.

Mölltaler Gletscher

Open From: 6th June

Ski up to 3,122 metres on the Mölltaler Glacier, Austria. Two chairlifts serve this glacier, offering a great range of pistes to spread the crowds out across the glacier. The glacier also offers a terrain park. Current news from Mölltaler Gletscher: “Further information will be presented soon. We prepare everything for the security and comfort of our guests” More info.

Kitzsteinhorn

Open From: 29th May

With a gondola and funicular whisking you up to 3,000 metres, you can be sure to get some great glacial skiing at Kitzsteinhorn, the only summer skiing location in the Salzburg region. With ample pistes, a terrain park and ski-touring routes available, Kitzsteinhorn is a great choice for summer skiing.

Fonna

Open From: 1st May

The classic Fona. Spotted in many park skiing film segments – including Faction Ski’s The Collective banger – and there’s good reason for this coverage as Fonna offers some of the finest summer skiing for Europeans. Located on the Folgefonna glacier, Fonna is served by a single button lift, that give access to that famous terrain park and 5 kilometres of pistes.

Galdhøpiggen

Open From: 16th May – 19th July

Located on Norway’s highest mountain, Galdhøpiggen (2,469 metres) is able to offer year-round skiing in the Jotunheimen National Park. The resort has a T-bar lift, that offers 350 vertical metres of skiing.

Stryn

Open From: 29th May

Located close to fellow Norweigan ski resort, Galdhøpiggen, ‘Stryn Sommerski’ does exactly as the name suggests – offers glacial summer skiing. Unlike most ski resorts, Stryn is a summer-only destination as the access road is closed from October to the end of May every year. A chairlift offers 290 vertical metres of descent with a terrain park built each year.

Passo Stelvio

Open From: 30th May 30th – 1st November

Claiming to be the largest summer skiing area in the Alps, Passo Stelvio is open from May – November (late May due to the Coronavirus situation). More than 20 kilometres of pistes are available at an altitude ranging from 2,758 metres at the Pass and 3,450 metres at the top lift station towards the summit of Mount Cristallo.

News From The Other Glacial Resorts

Saas Fee
“The situation regarding the summer ski area is being assessed at the moment. We will inform you as soon as possible.” More info.

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