Where to ski in summer worldwide glaciers and resorts?
Don't want to wait for winter and the first snowflakes on the French mountains to get your skis out? Know that there are many destinations around the world that will allow you to ski during the summer.
Between the high-altitude glaciers that never melt and the resorts in the Southern Hemisphere that are in winter mode during the warm season in France, there is plenty to enjoy. Here is a selection of 5 destinations across the globe for skiing in spring and summer !
Tignes and its glacier: the essential French destination for summer skiing
No need to travel thousands of kilometers to enjoy the pleasures of skiing in summer. In France, the Tignes resort opens its glacier to skiers and snowboarders from mid-June to mid-July.
On the Grande Motte glacier, which culminates at over 3600 meters of altitude and is accessed by the Perce-Neige Funicular, you will find:
a blue run;
6 red runs;
a moguls stadium;
slalom stadiums;
an area for cross-country skiing.
If the ski area is not as extensive as during the winter season, Tignes therefore offers great opportunities for those who want to ski under the summer sun!
Note that in the French Alps, it is also possible to ski in summer in the Les 2 Alpes resort (until early July depending on snow conditions) and on the Val d'Isère ski area (until the end of June).
Austria and its glaciers for year-round skiing
In Europe,Austria is one of the best countries for skiing even outside the winter period, because it has several open resorts. As in France, winter sports can be practiced on the glaciers, at around 3000 meters of altitude.
For off-season skiing, head to the Hintertux glacier, which is the only one open 365 days a year, thanks to its generous snow cover. It has about twenty blue and red runs, between 2750 and over 3200 meters of altitude. TheHintertux ski area also has a snowpark and a Family Park.
Elsewhere in Austria, other ski areas open for much of the year, such as the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and its impressive panoramic view, the Kaunertal glacier area accessible from September to June, the Mölltal glacier open in spring until the end of May, etc.
Skiing at the other end of the world: the resorts of New Zealand's South Island
Dreaming of skiing on a paradise island? Head to New Zealand, where mountains and volcanoes offer an ideal playground for summer skiing.
It is advisable to go to theSouth Island, where the snow quality and vertical drops are better, and where you will have the choice between various renowned resorts and areas in the country:
Coronet Peak, a family resort with runs for all levels, beginner areas and non-skiing activities;
Mount Hutt, which also offers runs of varying levels and beautiful parks for freestyle;
Cardrona, a ski area with a balanced offering in terms of run levels and several fun dedicated areas (Big Air, Pipe, freestyle modules, etc.);
Treble Cone, a resort perfectly suited for beginners with “Slow Zones” and green runs, but also blue and red runs, and the “Motatapu Basin”, an incredible playground for freeride enthusiasts;
The Remarkables, suitable for a family stay, with runs for all levels, an area for beginners, a ski touring route, 3 snowparks for novice, intermediate or expert and a good choice of black runs.
Good to know: you will almost never find accommodation at the foot of the ski area in New Zealand, as there are no resort-villages or high-altitude resorts like in Europe.
Summer skiing in South America: Cerro Catedral in Argentina
About 17 kilometers from Bariloche, a trendy destination in Patagonia, Argentina, lies the Cerro Catedral ski area, which culminates at over 2100 meters of altitude within the Nahuel Huapi National Park. While this may not seem very high, snow is indeed present there when it is summer in France.
At Cerro Catedral, you can ski on 58 runs, more than half of which are blue. But no worries if you are a pure beginner or if you come with family and children, because the snow front is perfect for learning. The more experienced can tackle varied red and black runs.
And the range of activities goes far beyond alpine skiing: hiking trails and snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ski touring, snowpark for freestyle, snowmobile outings, etc.
The mountains of Oregon (USA): summer playground for skiers
In the United States, while famous resorts like Aspen, the Park City area, or Beaver Creek are known, there are many other destinations to discover, including during the summer. In Oregon, for example, there is the Mount Hood Meadows area, whose summit culminates at over 3400 meters and is covered by 11 glaciers.
During the summer months, it is on the Palmer glacier that the runs are open to skiers. This area is accessible from the Timberline resort.
Many “camps” are offered during this period, for children and adults, but you can also enjoy the area independently. Provided, however, that you are an experienced skier or snowboarder, because the runs departing from the Palmer lift are black level.
This selection is obviously not exhaustive, and you will find many other resorts suitable for summer skiing: in Switzerland (Zermatt) or in Italy (Cervinia) for the closest European countries, but also in Canada (Whistler Blackcomb), in Chile (El Colorado, La Parva, Corralco, etc.), in Southern Africa, in Dubai for year-round indoor skiing, etc.
