Don’t want to wait for winter and the first snowflakes in the French mountains to hit the slopes? There are plenty of destinations around the world that allow you to ski during the summer.
Between high-altitude glaciers that never melt and Southern Hemisphere resorts experiencing winter while it’s summer in France, there’s plenty of options for skiing fun. Here’s a selection of 5 destinations around the globe for spring and summer skiing!
No need to travel thousands of kilometers to enjoy summer skiing. In France, the Tignes resort opens its glacier to skiers and snowboarders from mid-June to mid-July.
On the Grande Motte Glacier, which rises over 3,600 meters and is accessible via the Perce-Neige Funicular, you’ll find:
While the ski area is not as extensive as during the winter season, Tignes still offers excellent opportunities for those wanting to ski under the summer sun!
In the French Alps, you can also ski in summer at the 2 Alpes resort (until early July, depending on snow conditions) and at the Val d’Isère ski area (until late June).
In Europe, Austria is one of the best countries for off-season skiing, with several resorts open outside the traditional winter months. Like in France, winter sports are practiced on glaciers, usually around 3,000 meters altitude.
For off-season skiing, head to the Hintertux Glacier, the only glacier open 365 days a year thanks to its generous snowfall. It offers around 20 blue and red slopes, ranging from 2,750 to over 3,200 meters. The Hintertux ski area also features a snowpark and a Family Park.
Other Austrian glaciers open most of the year, such as the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier with its impressive panoramic views, the Kaunertal Glacier (September to June), and the Mölltal Glacier (open until late May), among others.
Dreaming of skiing on a paradise island? Head to New Zealand, where mountains and volcanoes provide a perfect playground for summer skiing.
The South Island is recommended for its better snow quality and vertical drops, offering a choice of renowned resorts:
Note: accommodations at the base of ski areas are rare in New Zealand, as there are no resort villages like in Europe.
About 17 km from Bariloche in Patagonia, Argentina, lies the Cerro Catedral ski area, peaking at over 2,100 meters within Nahuel Huapi National Park. While not very high, snow coverage is good during the French summer season.
Cerro Catedral offers 58 slopes, more than half of which are blue. Beginners and families will find ideal terrain near the base area, while advanced skiers can tackle a variety of red and black slopes.
Beyond alpine skiing, the resort offers hiking and snowshoe trails, cross-country skiing, ski touring, a freestyle snowpark, snowmobiling, and more.
In the United States, famous resorts like Aspen, Park City, or Beaver Creek are well known, but other destinations are worth exploring, even in summer. In Oregon, for example, Mount Hood Meadows peaks at over 3,400 meters and is covered by 11 glaciers.
During summer months, the Palmer Glacier opens to skiers. The area is accessible from the Timberline Lodge resort.
Many camps are offered for children and adults, but you can also enjoy the terrain independently. Be aware that slopes from the Palmer lift are black level, so they are suitable for experienced skiers and snowboarders.
This selection is not exhaustive; other summer ski areas include Switzerland (Zermatt), Italy (Cervinia), Canada (Whistler Blackcomb), Chile (El Colorado, La Parva, Corralco), Southern Africa, and Dubai for indoor skiing year-round.