10 Glacier Ski Areas Open in Europe From Tomorrow (Possibly)
10 Glacier Ski Areas Open in Europe From Tomorrow (Possibly)
Published : 24-Jun-2022 10:38
The number of ski areas open for summer skiing and boarding in Europe is set to get back into double figures for the first time since early-May, potentially, with Cervinia set to open on Saturday, 25th June.
'Potentially' because Tignes, which opened last weekend for a planned six-week summer ski season has been closed the past two days and its unclear if it can reopen. On Thursday it said there was "technical issue" but it has not given a reason why its closed today. However its snow report notes just 15cm (six inches) of snow cover on its glacier, with above freezing temperatures and webcam images show a lot of blue melting ice exposed on the Grande Motte.
Cervinia largely provides access to the year-round glacier ski area above Zermatt on the Swiss side of the border, although there is a small amount of terrain on the Italian side.
Cervinia has warned though that it is opening for summer skiing is subject to the same issues Tignes outlined when it opened – below average winter snow accumulation followed by a very warm spring that saw temperatures reach +10C above 3,000m in May and June.
The glacier is due to host four new cross-border World Cup downhill races next autumn on the final weekend of October and first weekend of November, two each for male and female racers, before the speed tour moves on to its traditional start events in Lake Louise and Beaver Creek.
Val d'Isere decided not to open for summer skiing at all this year for the same reason and the Molltal glacier in Austria is also closed at present.
The glaciers that are open include Fonna, Galdhopiggen and Stryn in Norway – which days unlike the Alps it had a snowier than average winter 21-22 and cooler than average spring so snow depths are up to 7.5 metres.
There's also Hintertux and Kitzsteinhorn in Austria, Les 2 Alpes and Tignes in France, Passo Stelvio in Italy and Zermatt in Switzerland.
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