Summer Skiing

In case you wanted to experience summer skiing whilst you live in Northern Hemisphere, simply cannot resist the temptation of a ski or snowboard adventure, we have compiled a list of destinations to keep in mind. Summer breaks do not have to stop you from exploring glacial regions for some skiing.

Northern Hemisphere.

Alaska.

You don’t have to come here just for a day adventure I am being told, but you can make it into a several week stay. Summer skiing is a guaranteed possibility. Unless you are ultra fit and don’t mind hiking with your skis on your back, heliskiing is the best way to go.

Canada.

• Lake Louise. Available for pre summer skiing, during late spring. You can encounter some marginal snow.
  
  
  

• Whistler Blackcoombe. The Glacial region may be accessible. The gondolas will take you all the way up the mountain. The rest of the ski resort is out of bounds.
  
  
  

  

  
  

Unites States.

Destinations to consider which can offer marginal snow in late spring are;

• Aspen
• Beaver Creek
• Breckenridge
• Cooper Mountain
• Keystone
• Alta
• Snowbird
• Vail
• Winter Park
• Killington Mammoth
• Snowbird
• Arapahoe Basin
• Squaw Valley
• Timberline

Europe.

Altitudes above 2000-2200m are more inclined to have some snow precipitation in the summer months. Early August period can bear some pleasant surprises.

Austria

• Karpun. A beautiful Alpine village set at the foothill of a glacier. All year round ski destination, and a good place to loose yourself in alpine surroundings, away from the fast lane.

• Hintertux. Offers a snow guarantee 365 days a year, most of it on the Tuxer Glacier. The heights to scale are over 3250m.This is a cool place as the lift towers are planted on the glacier, and the glacier moves at 50 feet ( about 13m) per year , guess what the lift towers need to be repositioned every year.

• Molltal Glacier. This region is known to receive snowfalls throughout the months of August , which happens to be the peak of summer in Europe.

• Obergurgl. An old alpine town bearing peaks of 3080m with sure snow conditions from November to May.

• Solden. Offers two main glaciers Rettenbach and Tiefenbach. Until about 5 years ago the glacierized regions were out of bounds, it is only recently that the access has been granted. The peak reaches 3250m.

France.

• Tignes. Prides itself on it’s high altitude , with the Grande Motte Lift taking you onto the glacier. It is one of the most sure summer skiing destinations in Europe. The village itself can have snow from November through to May.

• Alpe d’Huez. Resort is popular for summer skiing with European ski buffs.

• Val Thorens. Just like Tignes another all year round ski destination. This is the highest alpine resort in Europe offering a long ski season with summer skiing possible even beyond the Peclet and Chaviere Glaciers. It is not unusual for this resort to be open till end of August.

• Les Deux Alpes. Marginal snow cover can be encountered during the summer. Expect about a foot, or less than 30cm.

Germany.

• Garmisch. ski resort can offer marginal summer skiing, perhaps not during all summer seasons, checking out the Zugspitze area ought to be entertained. You may be stretching your luck skiing off-season here.
  
  

  

  
  

Italy.

• Presana Glacier. Summer Skiing can be done following good winter seasons.

• Cervinia. This is the other side of Zermatt. With updated ski lift systems and more affordable accommodation it is a worth while destination. A lot of mountaineers come here for those same reasons that they visited Zermatt some years ago. At the altitude of 3480m you are bound to get some snow at the peak. If not a glacier is there.

Norway.

The destinations which offer ski activities, are Lillehammer, Geilo , Opppdal, Trysil and Hemsedal. Seasons run into May-June period. Arrive here with the mindset you will not be skiing vast jaggered mountainous terrain, but gentler hills. Norwegians have produced few world class cross-country skiers and these regions are perfect grounds for this sport.

Sweden.

Entertain spring rather than summer skiing in the resorts of Are and Salen. Whilst they are at low altitude above the sea level their proximity to the arctic cap can make them appealing. Their seasons usually run until late May. Explore Are, and Salen, the latter being the largest ski area of the region. Finally consider Riksgransen, which is in very close proximity to the Arctic Circle. The sun has problems setting here, not the best place to cure your jet lag. The season in Riksgransen runs until June.

Switzerland.

• Zermatt. Glacial skiing here is our recommendation. If the glacier summer skiing does not blow you away the views probably will.

• Saas Fee. Offers few glaciers set among spectacular jaggered mountain scenery. Most slopes at the base of the mountain are already at 2500m.The peaks reach 3620m, and many are north facing, hence conserving good snow cover.

Southern Hemisphere.

If you are running out of ideas in the Northern Hemisphere you can always try going down south.

Australia.

It is a worth while destination, but bear in mind you will be on the plane for a long time , from Europe ,with transfers it often ends up being 24 hrs ,and 16hr from US. We suggest if you are traveling to Australia check out New Zealand as well. Best bets for good snow cover are Thredbo and Mt Hotham.

New Zealand.

Excellent ski destination particularly if heliskiing is your forte. Even during the summer season in the southern hemisphere, the southern island of New Zealand does offer summer skiing predominantly on the Glaciers .The places to visit are; Fox Glacier, Franz Joseph Glacier and Mt Cook . During New Zealand ski season visit Queenstown and neighboring ski resorts. As the ski resorts are built on a much smaller scale than Europe or the Americas , we recommend heliskiing to higher altitude regions to satisfy your thirst.

Southern Americas.

Chilie. Official ski season is from mid-June to early October.

• Portillo. It has been known to offer reasonable snow during Northern Hemisphere’s summer. The claim to fame is awesome snowfalls. Getting to this destination is bit of a pilgrimage.
  
  
  

• Valle Nevado. Peaks at 3640m will offer good snowcover, at any one time up to 3m or 140inches. If this does not satisfy your thirst for powder, helicopters will take you to altitudes of 4500m.With 41 lifts, this destination is definitely on the global radar.
  
  
  

• El Colorado. The conical shaped peak towers to approx. 3300m offering good snow cover. The immediate surroundings some may argue are gentler sloping than Portillo, but hey at this altitude you will have lots of fun anyway. At your disposal are 22 runs and 18 lifts.
  
  
  

• La Parva. A purpose build ski resort nestled at the base of a mountain. There are 14 runs at your disposal with about 980m vertical.
  

Argentina

• Bariloche. This destination claims is be the most developed ski resort in the southern Americas. It offers 42 lifts and 1100m vertical. It is positioned overlooking Lake Hanuel Huapi, set among steep mountainous terrain.
  
  
  

• Las Lenas. Prides itself on contrasting ski terrain to suit different tastes. It offers plenty of steep to extreme runs, and for these reasons attracts many professional skiers. Scenery is jaw dropping, and if you like off-piste adventures this is the place to be.
  
  
  

Antarctic.

Hmm...this may sound ambitious! The access points used by some explorers are via Cape Horn, Southern tip of America, to the Graham Land of the Antarctic. This is not for the faint hearted. A lot of preparation would need to go into this expedition. Your summer skiing, or cross-country journey is guaranteed on snow. The Vinson Massif at the altitude of 5140m would be quite a climb. The approx. cost of such an expedition from our research would be close to $ US 60 k per person.

From summer skiing back home.