Summer skiing on the glaciers of the Alps
Where you can still ski when the valleys are green, how a glacier morning works, and how to plan a summer stay that does not depend on a single lift.
Summer skiing in the Alps happens on a handful of high glaciers, mostly above 3,000 m, and almost always in the morning only. The largest area is the Theodul Glacier above Zermatt, shared with Breuil-Cervinia, with up to 21 km of pistes at Europe’s highest summer ski area; Saas-Fee and, for a few weeks in June and July, Tignes are the other names to know. Treat it as a few hours of turns before lunch, not a winter week, and check the lift company’s notice the day before: in 2026 both Swiss glaciers shut to the public for part of the summer heat.
Glacier skiing in summer is a different sport from January skiing. The terrain is smaller, the runs are groomed for the cold hours, national teams often have roped-off training lanes, and the snow changes by the hour as the sun climbs. What you gain is the strangeness of it: skis on in a T-shirt, the Matterhorn above you, and an afternoon walking among wildflowers a few thousand metres lower.
This guide is about the skiing itself and the choice between glaciers. For everything else Zermatt offers in July and August, from the lake walks to the railways, our guide to Zermatt in summer covers the trails and the lift timetable month by month, so we do not repeat it here.
Summer glacier skiing in figures
Checked against official sources, so you can plan with confidence.
On the Theodul Glacier, the lift company offers up to 21 km of pistes at Europe’s highest summer ski area, below the 3,883 m summit station, with skiing generally possible until midday.
Source: matterhornparadise.ch, summer skiingFrom three days, a Zermatt summer ski pass also covers all lifts and railways in the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Sunnegga-Rothorn areas, so afternoon hikes need no extra ticket.
Source: matterhornparadise.ch, summer skiingOn 31 July 2026, the Zermatt lift company temporarily suspended summer skiing for guests on the Theodul Glacier, citing persistent heat, no night-time cooling and repeated thunderstorms; only national team training continued on a limited basis.
Source: matterhornparadise.ch, news 31 July 2026Skiing for guests resumed on 14 October 2026 with the Plateau Rosa 1 and 2 ski lifts and the Matterhorn Glacier Ride II, after snowfall and lower temperatures improved the glacier.
Source: matterhornparadise.ch, news 9 October 2026Saas-Fee, where most of the world’s ski teams train, reopened only partially from 3 October 2026, with the two upper lifts (Allalin 2 and 3), because of glacier conditions.
Source: saas-fee.ch, summer skiIn Tignes, summer skiing on the Grande Motte glacier was scheduled from 20 June to 15 July 2026, subject to conditions, on 20 km of runs between 2,724 m and 3,456 m; the Perce-Neige funicular opened at 06:45, with the last ascent at 11:00.
Source: tignes.net, summer skiingWhere can you ski in the summer? The Alpine glaciers compared
Only a few lift companies still run summer skiing, and their calendars have become shorter and less predictable as glaciers thin. The table sets out what each one published for 2026, who it suits and how it fits a stay with us. Read the season column as a pattern, not a promise: every operator says openings depend on snow and glacier conditions.
| Glacier | Season as published for 2026 | Best for | From our residences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theodul Glacier, Zermatt (Switzerland) | Presented as year-round; suspended for guests from 31 July, guest skiing resumed 14 October | Mixed groups, freestyle, the biggest summer terrain | On the doorstep of our Zermatt chalets |
| Plateau Rosa, Breuil-Cervinia (Italy) | The Italian side of the same glacier area, linked to Zermatt by lift and piste | A lunch in Italy between runs | From Zermatt over the glacier; see our Cervinia guide |
| Allalin Glacier, Saas-Fee (Switzerland) | Summer and autumn as conditions allow; autumn 2026 reopening on 3 October with the two upper lifts only | Strong skiers, racers, quiet mornings | A day out from Zermatt via Visp; see our Saas-Fee guide |
| Grande Motte, Tignes (France) | 20 June to 15 July 2026, subject to conditions | An early-summer window in the French Alps | A separate trip; not linked to our Swiss chalets |
| Les 2 Alpes (France) | Its lift company presents an area from 1,600 to 3,600 m and published an autumn opening from 17 October to 1 November 2026; check its site for summer | Skiers already in the southern French Alps | A separate trip |
| Hintertux (Austria) | Presented by its lift company as Austria’s only year-round ski resort | Skiers based in the Tyrol | Far from our residences |
Sources: the official sites of each lift company or tourist office, consulted in October 2026. Dates change every year and can change during the season.
A summer ski morning, following the snow
The whole of summer skiing is organised around one fact: the glacier refreezes overnight and thaws in the sun. That is why the areas close around midday, and why the operators insist on early starts. The trick is to be on the snow when it has just softened, and gone before it turns to slush.
- First hour: firm, sometimes icy
After a clear, cold night the groomed pistes can be hard at opening. Use this time to warm up on the gentlest run, and leave the steeper pitches until the surface gives a little.
- Mid-morning: the best snow of the day
As the sun reaches the slope, the top layer softens into smooth, forgiving spring snow. This is the window for your longest runs, your lesson or your session in the snowpark.
- Late morning: heavy and slow
Once the snow turns wet, it grabs at the skis and tires the legs quickly. Stop while you are still enjoying it; the last run of a summer morning is where most falls happen.
- Lunch below the snowline
Ride down rather than ski the glacier in the softest snow. By early afternoon cloud often builds around the summits, which is the moment to swap ski boots for walking shoes.
Summer skiing and hiking in the same day
The best summer ski days are half days by design, which leaves the afternoon free. In Zermatt, the multi-day summer ski pass makes the pairing easy: from three days, it also opens the lifts and railways on the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Sunnegga-Rothorn sides, so you can ski the glacier at eight and ride up to a lake walk at two on the same ticket. Our Zermatt summer guide has the routes graded by effort.
In Tignes, the tourist office points skiers to the same rhythm: lifts from before eight, closures in the early afternoon, then hiking, mountain biking or a guided glacier walk with a route through the Vanoise National Park. Wherever you ski, keep the long hike for a non-ski day: legs that have skied all morning at altitude are not fresh for a five-hour walk.
- Skier and walker in one group: the walkers ride up with you, visit the summit station while you ski, and you meet for lunch lower down.
- Children who ski: the beginners’ area at Plateau Rosa, above 3,400 m, lets them try summer snow in a small, safe space; check the age limits for the top lifts first.
- Keen skiers: three glacier mornings in five days, with rest or hiking afternoons, is a better rhythm than skiing every day.
- Non-skiers: the glacier views do not need skis; our guide to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise explains the summit visit and the altitude.
What the summer of 2026 taught us about glacier skiing
Summer skiing is now at the mercy of the heatwaves. In 2026 the Zermatt lift company suspended guest skiing on the Theodul Glacier on 31 July, explaining that nights were no longer cold enough for the snow to refreeze, and only reopened to guests on 14 October. Saas-Fee could only restart partially in early October, on its two upper lifts. Even Tignes, with its short early window, publishes its dates with the words “subject to favourable conditions”.
We draw three practical conclusions for guests. First, the earlier part of summer is the safer bet for snow, while August is the riskiest month. Second, a summer stay should be planned so that it is a good holiday even if the glacier shuts: lakes, railways, high viewpoints and a chalet with a spa. Third, the operator’s notice is the only reliable source: we read it for you the evening before, rather than relying on a date from a brochure or a forum.
If what you really want is long days on proper snow, look at the shoulder of the winter instead. Spring skiing on high resorts gives full days, softer weather and lifts that run into the afternoon; our guide to Easter ski holidays compares the options.
| If you want | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The best chance of snow | Late June to mid-July | Glaciers still carry spring snow and the French windows are open |
| Summer skiing plus a full family holiday | July, based in Zermatt | Biggest summer area, with hiking and railways on the same pass from three days |
| Skiing above all else | A spring week or the autumn reopenings | Summer areas are small and morning-only; spring and autumn give more terrain |
| Certainty | No glacier is certain in August | Build the stay around the mountain, with skiing as a bonus |
What to wear and pack for glacier skiing
The tourist office’s advice for the Theodul is to dress as for a warm spring ski day, and it holds everywhere. The air at 3,500 m is cold at opening and the sun is fierce by ten, so think in thin layers you can take off, not a winter jacket.
- Layers: a thin base layer, a light fleece and a waterproof shell; light gloves plus a warmer pair for the first lift.
- Eyes and skin: category 3 or 4 sunglasses or goggles, high-factor sun cream and lip balm. Snow reflects the sun all morning, even under thin cloud.
- Helmet: as in winter; summer snow can be icy at opening and crowded around the park.
- Equipment: hire in the village rather than bringing winter skis, and ask for skis waxed for wet snow. Zermatt’s sports shops and ski schools run summer offers for beginners, improvers and children.
- Stay on the marked pistes: a glacier is crevassed terrain, and the edges of a summer area are exactly where the snow bridges are thinnest. Anything off-piste is for a qualified mountain guide, never alone.
- Altitude: start gently on the first day, drink water and keep the coffee for after skiing.
Zermatt chalets for a summer on the glacier
Our Zermatt chalets are presented for winter; summer weeks are possible only on request, once the owner confirms the house can open and which services will run.
Chalet Zeyr and Chalet Anelle side by side
Both sleep a family or a group of friends, with a wellness floor for legs that have skied at 3,800 m.
| Residence | Guests | Bedrooms | Bathrooms | Living area | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chalet ZeyrZermatt | 12 | 6 | 7 | 565 m² | Sauna, Massage Room, Jacuzzi, Gym, Elevator |
| Chalet AnelleZermatt | 12 | 6 | 6 | 692 m² | Nordic Bath, Hammam, Sauna, Massage Room, Jacuzzi |
Rates are on request and depend on dates and services. Your advisor confirms availability and the final details of every residence.
Summer skiing without the guesswork
A glacier morning depends on details that are easy to get wrong from a distance.
The evening check
We read the lift company’s status and the forecast at altitude the night before, and tell you plainly if the glacier is shut or in cloud.
An early start that works
At Chalet Zeyr, Zermatt, breakfast is included daily and the Matterhorn Express is reached by electric taxi, so the first lift is realistic.
Kit without the queue
At Chalet Anelle, Zermatt, ski passes are brought to the chalet and ski equipment fitting can be arranged in the house on request.
A plan B for every day
If the glacier closes, Nathalie Nguyen or Adam Haddad will already have a railway, a lake walk or a day in the next valley in hand.
Summer skiing questions
Anything else? Our team in Paris answers personally, usually within the day.
Ask our teamWhere can you ski in the summer?
In the Alps, on the high glaciers that still run summer lifts: the Theodul Glacier above Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia, Saas-Fee’s Allalin Glacier, Tignes’ Grande Motte for a few weeks in June and July, and Hintertux in Austria. Each publishes its own dates, and all of them depend on glacier conditions, so check the lift company’s website before you travel.
Can you ski in summer in Switzerland?
Yes, usually in Zermatt and Saas-Fee. Zermatt’s Theodul Glacier offers up to 21 km of pistes until about midday and is presented as open all year, while Saas-Fee is known for the national teams that train there. Both can close in a heatwave: in 2026 Zermatt suspended guest skiing on 31 July and only reopened it on 14 October.
What is glacier skiing?
Skiing on groomed pistes laid out on a glacier, the permanent ice and snow of the high mountains. Because a glacier sits high and holds old snow, it can carry skiing into summer and autumn when lower slopes are bare. The pistes are prepared and patrolled like any ski area, but the terrain around them is crevassed, so you stay on the marked runs.
Can you go skiing in August in Europe?
Sometimes, but August is the least reliable month. In 2026 both Zermatt and Saas-Fee closed their summer areas to the public during the heat, and Tignes’ window ended in mid-July. If you plan a summer stay around skiing, late June and July give better odds, and you should keep a mountain plan that works without snow.
What should I wear for summer skiing?
Dress as for a warm spring ski day: thin layers, a light waterproof shell, gloves and a helmet. The first lift is cold and the sun at 3,500 m is strong by mid-morning, so take layers off rather than overheat. Good sunglasses or goggles, high-factor sun cream and lip balm matter more than a warm jacket.
Can you ski on a glacier without a guide?
On the marked and groomed pistes of a glacier ski area, yes: they are prepared and controlled by the lift company like any other piste. Off the markers you are on crevassed ground where snow bridges can hide holes, especially in summer. Leave the pistes only with a qualified mountain guide and the right equipment.
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A glacier morning, a chalet afternoon
Tell Nathalie Nguyen or Adam Haddad your dates, your group and how much you want to ski: we will ask the owners whether a Zermatt chalet can open for summer, check the glacier for you and plan the days around the snow. WhatsApp +33 7 80 98 05 43 or contact@lutetia-group.com; we usually reply within the day, and rates are on request.