Top 5 places to go Summer Skiing in Europe
- Follow me to the mountains
- Dec 21, 2025
- 4 min read
There’s something surreal about skiing under a summer sun. The air is warm, wildflowers bloom in the valleys below and yet, here you are, tracing smooth lines on crisp morning snow. Summer skiing isn’t a contradiction, it’s a secret season that only a few passionate skiers truly chase.
Across Europe, a handful of high-altitude glaciers keep the dream alive long after the lifts have stopped spinning elsewhere. From the iconic Stelvio Pass in Italy to the legendary Tignes Glacier in France, here are the top five places to find snow when everyone else is at the beach.
Stelvio, Summer 2025
Stelvio Pass Glacier, Italy - The King of Summer Skiing
Perched high in the Ortler Alps between Lombardy and South Tyrol, Passo dello Stelvio (2,757m) is one of the most spectacular roads in Europe and an even more spectacular place to ski. When the mountain pass opens each May, it reveals a world where skiers and cyclists share the same breathtaking alpine amphitheater.
Getting There
The Stelvio Pass is accessible only in summer, typically from late May to early November, depending on snow and road conditions.
By Car: Drive from Bormio (about 1 hour) or Prato allo Stelvio (45 minutes). The serpentine road with 48 hairpin bends is a bucket-list drive in itself.
By Train: Take the train to Tirano from Milan, then a bus or taxi to Bormio.
By Air: The closest airports are Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Innsbruck (INN).
Lift Times & Costs
Skiing here is morning only, lifts operate roughly from 7:00am to 12:30pm, preserving the glacier’s surface from afternoon slush.
Day Pass: Around €55 for adults.
Stay: Choose the Hotel Livrio right by the slopes, or base yourself in Bormio, which offers cozy chalets, spas and classic Italian cuisine.
Setup & Terrain
The glacier features around 10 km of pistes and 6 lifts, including T-bar's and cable systems. Most terrain is intermediate, but the real attraction is its race training lanes. National and World Cup teams from Italy, Austria and even the U.S. train here throughout June and July.
Snow Quality
Early morning snow is firm, fast and grippy, ideal for precision skiing. By midday, it softens into perfect spring-like corn and that’s your cue to swap ski boots for hiking shoes and explore the alpine meadows below.
The Experience
It’s a surreal contrast, carving perfect arcs at 3000 meters while green valleys stretch endlessly beneath you. Stelvio feels like skiing in a secret winter wonderland.
Tignes Glacier, France - The Accessible Alpine Icon
If Stelvio is wild and remote, Tignes is polished and professional. The Grande Motte Glacier, rising above Tignes Val Claret, offers one of the most reliable summer ski experiences in the Alps.
Getting There
Reach Tignes via Chambéry, Geneva or Lyon airports. From Tignes Val Claret, a funicular railway takes you up to the glacier in just seven minutes.
Lifts & Times
The glacier typically opens from late June to early August, depending on conditions.
Lifts: Operate from 7:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Altitude: 3,456 m.
Cost: Around €50/day.
Set up & Terrain
Tignes offers about 20 km of runs plus a snow park, making it popular with freestyle riders and all-around enthusiasts. You’ll often find ski schools and pro camps here, as well as a fun mix of early risers and après-ski loungers soaking in the sunshine afterward.
The Atmosphere
When summer reaches Tignes, the mountains feel wide open. The glacier sits above green valleys, quiet except for the soft scrape of skis on snow. There’s no rush, no crowds, just the steady rhythm of people who love the mountains too much to wait for winter.
Les Deux Alpes, France - Big, Bold, and Beautiful
One of Europe’s largest summer ski glaciers, Les Deux Alpes offers a vast snow park, freestyle camps and a party atmosphere. It’s open from mid-June to late August, with over 800 meters of vertical on the glacier alone. Great for those who want to mix skiing with mountain biking and nightlife in the same trip.
Hintertux Glacier, Austria - 365 Days of Snow
The only glacier in Europe open year-round, Hintertux is a mecca for die-hard skiers and racers. It’s ultra-reliable, with modern lifts, perfectly groomed pistes and a mix of training and freeride zones. Best visited in June or September for optimal snow.
Zermatt, Switzerland - Skiing Beneath the Matterhorn
Few experiences can match skiing with the Matterhorn towering above you. The Theodul Glacier stays open through most of summer, offering world-class views, high-end accommodation, and a strong race-training scene. Prices are higher (around CHF 75/day), but so is the prestige.
Why Summer Skiing Is Special
The Contrast: Green meadows below, icy snow above, it’s the best of both worlds.
The Light: Long days mean early starts whilst the morning crisp, the glaciers will be open often from 7am morning to early afternoon.
The Community: From Olympians to locals, everyone here shares one thing, an unwillingness to let winter go.
The Mindset: It’s not just skiing, it’s rebellion against the ordinary seasons.
Summer skiing breaks the rules. It shows that winter isn’t a date on the calendar, it’s a feeling you carry with you.
My Experience
I’ve skied both the Stelvio Pass and Tignes but there’s something unforgettable about Stelvio. I had cycled the pass the day before and I hadn’t been on skis for over a year, I was so excited I woke up early and drove up the infamous pass for sunrise. The light spilled over the peaks and the pass’s famous hairpins twisted below, absolutely breathtaking. To reach the glacier, you take two cable cars and a snowcat to the drag lifts. The air is crisp, the snow firm and when I finally clipped and skied, it was pure joy. Even in Summer the Stelvio was buzzing with young skiers in training. The world below was green and alive, yet up here it felt like a winter wonderland, a rare thrilling contrast I’ll never forget.
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