Sunny summer slopes in Tignes, France CREDIT: ANDY PARANT
The skiing doesn't stop just because it's summer – ski resorts with slopes set on a glacier are often open for business, and have a raft of other activities on offer too. Generally set at 2,500m or higher, these glacier ski areas benefit from the low temperatures at altitude, especially at night, so you can expect smooth groomed runs in the morning, soft slushy bumps later on. They're usually fairly compact, with a mix of blue and red slopes, but you’ll also find the occasional black.
Is there any off piste?
While you’re unlikely to experience fresh powder in the summer, catch it right and conditions can be smooth and flattering, thanks to the melting and freezing of old snow when the weather gets warmer.
What about terrain parks?
Any glacier area worth its salt puts a lot of work into its terrain park, making up for a more limited ski area with enough kickers, rails, pipes and boarder/skicross tracks for all levels to while away several hours – and enabling you to perfect tricks in soft conditions. The parks often attract pros for training sessions, making great viewing.
Can I stay out on the slopes all day?
Some glacier areas have similar opening hours in summer to winter, but many gear them around optimum conditions – which can mean opening as early as 7am and closing at 2pm.
Do ski schools operate in summer?
Definitely – glaciers are great places to hone skills on summer ski courses, most hosting ski racers and freestylers during the summer. Check out resort websites for links to schools, and to the many specialised camps that run during the summer.
Are lift passes the same price as in winter?
Resorts offer similar types of passes to the ones available in winter, but at cheaper rates in recognition of the more limited areas. You're more likely to find passes for non-consecutive days so that you can pick and choose when to hit the slopes. Many work in tandem with a separate visitor pass that gives access to a whole range of summer activities.
What is there to do after the slopes close?
You could just relax and breathe in the fresh mountain air… But you’d miss out on activities from the more usual hiking, biking, golfing and swimming, to the wild and weird, from sliding down a ramp into an Alpine lake through aerial trekking to bear watching. As many activities are free with a ski or visitor pass, it’d be rude not to.
The best resorts for summer skiing
Tignes, France
Open June 23 to August 5, 7.15am to 1.00pm
Ski pass One day €25
A funicular train from Tignes' Val Claret area accesses 20km of lift-served slopes for all standards on the Grande Motte, including a terrain park, up to the high point of 3,456m. Fill your afternoons with a smorgasbord of other activities at no extra cost – the My Tignes Open pass gives free access to more than 20 activities from tennis and golf to beach volley ball and pedalos, plus Acroland on the Tignes lake. Here you can throw yourself down a choice of ramps (on skis, bike or just your stomach) before flipping into the icy waters. The card is free to anyone booking with participating accommodation for one night – otherwise cards are available to buy from tourist offices (this year's card price is yet to be confirmed).
Tignes' Grande Motte glacier offers 20km of runs
For biking passes are free with some accommodation providers, if not pick up a pass at the tourist office, which gets you on lifts accessing varied runs in the huge bike park linked to neighbouring Val d'Isère. Next to the lake there’s also the Lagon sports centre with pool (free with a two-day or more ski pass), plus a free to enter mini bike park with air bag. tignes.net
Hintertux, Austria
Open May 12 to October 12, 8.15am to 4.30pm
Ski pass One day €45, six days €215
Hintertux, Austria’s only year-round ski area, offers 60km of varied pistes. There’s also the Betterpark with 120m superpipe, boxes, table tops and rails with lines for all levels. Inside the glacier is the Nature’s Ice Palace with ice chambers filled with crystals to explore, and under that a a deep cave into which the resort runs daily tours with a guide around its stalagmites and stalactites. Add adrenalin with mountain biking, ice climbing and hiking. There’s also a kids’ playground with tubing and a bob run at 3,250m.
Hintertux in Austria has an impressive snow record
The Zillertal Activcard (€85 for six days) gives pedestrians and cyclists (there are 800km of cycle trails in the Ziller valley) one daily cable car ride on lifts up and down the valley, along with free access to swimming pools and an observatory, valley buses and trains, plus discounts on other attractions.
