Summer skiing in Europe
Yes, you can still ski in Europe in summer, but only on a handful of high glaciers, only in the mornings, and only on limited terrain. Zermatt and Hintertux run all year, while Saas Fee, Les Deux Alpes and Passo Stelvio open their glaciers for part of the warmer months. This guide is honest about what summer skiing really delivers, what it costs and whether it is worth the trip.
By the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer: European summer skiing means a few hours on a high glacier early in the day, on a small slice of mostly gentle terrain, before the snow turns to slush by lunchtime. It is a novelty and a training ground, not a substitute for a winter holiday. The most reliable options are Zermatt, which skis year round on the Matterhorn glacier, and Austria's Hintertux, with Saas Fee, Les Deux Alpes and Passo Stelvio adding summer weeks on their glaciers. If you want a full mountain of snow in July, you are better off flying south to the Andes.
What summer skiing is really like
Set your expectations before you book, because summer skiing is a different thing from a winter week. The lifts open early, often soon after dawn, and the skiing is essentially finished by late morning once the sun softens the snow into heavy slush. You ski a contained glacier sector, typically a few runs and a couple of lifts, rather than a whole resort, and the terrain leans gentle and is shared with race teams and ski camps training their turns.
The flip side is the appeal. There is real novelty in carving a few crisp morning runs in shorts weather, then spending the afternoon hiking, biking or by a lake in the valley below. For racers, freestylers and keen skiers it is valuable mileage out of season, and for a curious family it is a fun half day rather than a holiday. Just do not expect powder, variety or a full day on snow.
Where you can still ski in summer
The list of European summer glaciers has shrunk as the climate has warmed, and exact opening weeks change every year, so always check the resort's current glacier calendar before committing. These are the places that still run, and what each is like.
| Resort | Country | The verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Zermatt | Switzerland | The most reliable, skiing all year on the high Matterhorn glacier and linked to Cervinia in Italy. |
| Hintertux | Austria | The other true year round glacier, snow sure and a favorite training base, in the Zillertal. |
| Saas Fee | Switzerland | A high, dependable summer glacier above a car free village, popular with camps. |
| Les Deux Alpes | France | One of the larger summer glaciers, strong on freestyle, usually open in early summer. |
| Passo Stelvio | Italy | A classic high pass glacier that opens for the warmer months, a long standing race venue. |
Note that several glaciers that once ran all summer, including Tignes, have cut back or ended their summer operations as the snow line has risen. For the shoulder months either side of summer, see our guide to Easter skiing and where snow lasts.
What it costs and when to go
Summer skiing is cheaper than a winter holiday on almost every line. A glacier day pass is modest, valley accommodation in summer costs far less than in peak winter, and you only ski a half day, so the on snow spend is small. The main expense is simply getting there. As a rough guide, a short summer skiing break sits comfortably in the under $2,000 per person band once travel and a few days of glacier passes are counted.
Timing matters more than money. June and early July give the best and most reliable summer snow, while August can be thin and is more likely to close on warm spells, with the year round glaciers of Zermatt and Hintertux the safest bets in the heat. Always check the live glacier report, because a hot week can shut even a reliable glacier for a few days. If guaranteed snow on a full mountain matters more than novelty, the honest alternative is the southern hemisphere winter in Argentina or Chile.
Who it suits, and how to decide
Racer, freestyler or keen skier wanting off season mileage? Worth it. Base yourself at Zermatt, Hintertux or Saas Fee in June or July.
Curious family already in the Alps for summer? A glacier half day is a fun novelty, but treat it as one morning, not the trip.
Complete beginner hoping to learn? Skip it. The short mornings, slushy snow and limited terrain make a normal winter week a far better and cheaper place to start.
Set on a full mountain of snow in July or August? Fly south instead, where it is winter and the resorts are fully open.
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Questions worth asking
Can you ski in Europe in summer?
Yes, but only on a few high glaciers, only in the mornings and only on limited terrain. Zermatt and Hintertux ski year round, while Saas Fee, Les Deux Alpes and Passo Stelvio open their glaciers for part of the warmer months. Exact opening weeks change every year, so always check the current glacier calendar.
Where is the best summer skiing in the Alps?
Zermatt is the most reliable, skiing all year on the high Matterhorn glacier, with Austria's Hintertux the other true year round option. Saas Fee and Les Deux Alpes are strong early summer choices, the latter known for its freestyle park. June and early July give the best and most dependable snow.
What is summer skiing actually like?
The lifts open early and the skiing is largely finished by late morning once the sun softens the snow to slush. You ski a contained glacier sector of a few runs rather than a whole resort, on mostly gentle terrain shared with race and ski camps. It is a fun morning and good training mileage, not a full day on snow.
How much does summer skiing cost?
Less than a winter holiday on almost every line. Glacier day passes are modest, summer valley accommodation is far cheaper than peak winter, and you only ski a half day. A short summer skiing break sits comfortably in the under $2,000 per person band once travel and a few days of passes are counted.
Is summer skiing good for beginners?
Not really. The short mornings, soft slushy snow and very limited terrain make it a poor place to learn, even though the slopes are gentle. A complete beginner will progress faster, more cheaply and more comfortably on a normal winter week at a proper learning resort.
Where can I ski during the northern summer instead?
For a full mountain of winter snow in July and August, head to the southern hemisphere, where it is ski season. Argentina and Chile in the Andes, along with New Zealand, run their winters from roughly June to October, offering fully open resorts rather than a glacier morning.