Skiing in summer? Yes, it's possible! We're all depressed about the end of the 2018-19 ski season, and most of us are already counting the days to next winter. But did you know that a handful of ski resorts in the Alps offer skiing in the summer? These glacier ski resorts in Austria, Switzerland and Italy offer skiing all summer long on high-altitude glacier slopes with guaranteed snow cover. If you can't wait another eight months for the exhilarating feeling of carving down a red slope or clutching a hot cup of mulled wine in a cosy mountain restaurant, check out these year-round ski areas and get inspired for your summer skiing holidays in the Alps!
Situated near Mayrhofen, the Hintertux Glacier offers the most reliable snow cover in Austria. At an altitude of 3176m, the Hintertux Glacier has 60km of slopes and two snow parks. Around 20km of these slopes stay open all year round - in fact, the Hintertux Glacier is open for skiing 365 days a year! Stop for a break at one of the many mountain restaurants, or take the chance to explore the Ice Palace. Snow sports enthusiasts will find everything they need for the perfect summer ski holiday at the Hintertux Glacier.
The four-season Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ski area within the larger ski area of the Matterhorn-Zermatt is one of Switzerland's largest summer ski resorts, with 21km of slopes. This is a great place to practise your carving on the many well-groomed slopes. It's also bucket-list material, as it's home to the highest mountain station in the Alps at 3883m. From this vantage point you'll enjoy incredible views of the Matterhorn and the rest of the Swiss and Italian Alps.
Italy's Stelvio Glacier is a highly unique ski area in that it opens only during the summer! Due to the insane amounts of snow in the road, the ski area is inaccessible the rest of the year. This makes it a welcome option for anyone who didn't get winter holidays this year. With 9km of pistes at an altitude of over 3000m, you're guaranteed to have snow even in the warmest months.
At Austria's Mölltal Glacier, the fun doesn't end once winter's over! In fact, the Mallnitz-Flattach ski area on the Mölltaler Glacier gives the Hintertux Glacier a run for its money in the summer months, with skiing 330 days a year. This ski area in Carinthia offers reliable snow cover on 17km of pistes, at altitudes of up to 3122m. Plus, it's easy to get here with the Mölltaler Glacier Express.
Last but not least is the Swiss ski resort of Saas-Fee, with 20km of glacier runs open during the summer. Wide slopes for carving at staggering altitudes of up to 3600m, plus a freestyle park and a 120m-long halfpipe, will make all your summer skiing dreams come true! For a special experience, treat yourself to a luxurious meal in the Revolving Restaurant Allalin, the world's highest revolving restaurant at 3500m above sea level.
So it really looks like we have no excuse for moaning and moping about all summer long - there's a glacier ski area open every month of the year! Hope we've inspired you to start planning your summer skiing holiday. Don't forget to check out our tips for skiing in warm weather and slushy snow, and most of all, don't forget to pack sunscreen! See snow reports >
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
