Summer Skiing in Europe - 10 great destinations

For passionate skiers and snowboarders, the end of winter does not have to mean the end of the ski season. Thanks to a number of high-altitude glaciers across the continent, Europe offers several destinations where skiing is possible throughout the summer months. From the towering peaks of the Alps to the dramatic landscapes of Scandinavia, these resorts provide reliable snow conditions, breathtaking scenery, and a unique opportunity to enjoy winter sports in the middle of summer. Whether you're a professional athlete training for the upcoming season or simply looking to experience something different on your next mountain holiday, these are some of the best summer skiing destinations in Europe.

Hintertux Glacier, Austria

Hintertux Glacier is one of Europe's most popular summer skiing destinations and the only ski resort in Austria that remains open all year round. Located in the Zillertal Alps of Tyrol, the glacier reaches an altitude of 3,250 metres, providing reliable snow conditions even during the warmest months of the year.

Summer skiing at Hintertux offers a unique opportunity to enjoy winter sports while much of Europe is experiencing sunshine and warm temperatures. The resort typically provides a selection of glacier pistes suitable for beginners, intermediate skiers, and advanced riders. Early mornings are the best time to ski, as the snow remains firm and well-groomed before softer conditions develop later in the day.

The resort is also a major training centre for professional ski teams from around the world, thanks to its dependable snow cover and excellent facilities. Snowboarders and freestyle skiers are drawn to the popular Betterpark Hintertux, which features jumps, rails, and other terrain park attractions throughout the summer season.

Zermatt, Switzerland

During the summer months, skiers and snowboarders can access slopes reaching elevations of over 3,800 metres, making Zermatt one of the highest ski areas in Europe. The glacier terrain provides reliable snow conditions even in warm weather, attracting both recreational skiers and elite athletes who use the area for off-season training.

The skiable terrain is more limited in summer compared to winter, but it is carefully maintained and typically includes wide, groomed pistes suited to intermediate and advanced skiers. Conditions are usually best in the morning when the snow is firm and temperatures are cooler.

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

Saas-Fee is one of Europe’s most reliable summer skiing destinations. Located in the Swiss canton of Valais, the resort sits at an altitude of around 1,800 metres and is surrounded by thirteen towering 4,000-metre peaks, which help preserve excellent glacier conditions throughout the warmer months.

Summer skiing in Saas-Fee takes place on the Fee Glacier, where skiers and snowboarders can enjoy well-groomed pistes even after the winter season has ended. The glacier terrain reaches elevations of over 3,500 metres, offering dependable snow quality, especially in the early morning when conditions are at their best. The ski area caters mainly to intermediate and advanced skiers, although there are also training zones used by beginners and professional ski teams preparing for the winter season.

Les Deux Alpes, France

Les Deux Alpes, located in the French Alps, is one of Europe’s most famous and reliable summer skiing destinations. Thanks to its high-altitude glacier, which reaches up to 3,600 metres, the resort offers skiing well into the summer months, typically from late spring through August, depending on snow conditions. It is one of the largest glacier ski areas in Europe, making it a popular choice for both recreational skiers and elite athletes training during the off-season.

The summer ski area is accessed via a fast and efficient lift system that transports skiers up to the glacier in the early morning, when snow conditions are at their best. The terrain is generally suited to intermediate and advanced skiers, with wide glacier pistes allowing for long, flowing turns and excellent visibility across the surrounding peaks. One of the highlights of skiing at Les Deux Alpes in summer is its strong freestyle and training scene. The glacier hosts one of Europe’s most popular summer snow parks, attracting snowboarders and freestyle skiers from around the world. Features such as jumps, rails, and halfpipes provide ideal conditions for skill development and progression.

Stubai Glacier, Austria

Summer skiing at the Stubai Glacier offers one of Austria’s most reliable and accessible glacier experiences. Located just a short drive from Innsbruck, it provides snow-sure conditions well into late spring and early summer, with skiing typically centred around the higher-altitude slopes above 2,900 metres. The glacier features wide, well-groomed pistes suitable for beginners through to advanced skiers, along with a terrain park that attracts freestyle riders and training teams from across Europe. Morning sessions are usually best, when the snow is firm and fast. With modern lifts, panoramic Alpine views, and nearby hiking opportunities, Stubai combines summer skiing with classic Tyrolean mountain scenery in a compact, convenient setting.

Kitzsteinhorn (Kaprun), Austria

Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, located above the town of Kaprun in the Austrian state of Salzburg, is one of Europe’s most accessible and reliable summer skiing destinations. Rising to over 3,000 metres, the glacier ensures snow coverage well into the warmer months, allowing skiers and snowboarders to enjoy on-snow training even in the middle of summer.

During summer, skiing at Kitzsteinhorn is typically concentrated in the early morning hours when the snow is firm and conditions are at their best. The glacier offers a selection of varied pistes suitable for different abilities, from gentle slopes for beginners to steeper terrain for more experienced skiers. The resort is especially popular with ski teams and freestyle athletes due to its consistent snow quality and well-maintained training facilities.

One of the highlights of skiing here is the Glacier Park, a freestyle area featuring jumps, rails, and a halfpipe that attracts snowboarders and park skiers from across Europe. The modern lift system, including high-speed gondolas, provides quick access from Kaprun up to the glacier, making it one of the easiest summer ski areas to reach.

Passo dello Stelvio, Italy

Located at the high mountain pass of Passo dello Stelvio in northern Italy, the glacier sits at elevations above 2,700 metres, allowing snow to persist well into the warmer months. Unlike many other summer ski areas that operate on smaller training slopes, Stelvio offers a more expansive and open glacier environment, making it especially popular with national ski teams and competitive racers.

During the summer season, typically from late May to early November depending on conditions, skiers can train on long, wide glacier runs that are ideal for giant slalom and speed discipline preparation. The terrain is heavily used for professional training camps, and it is common to see international ski teams sharing the slopes. Early mornings are the best time to ski, as the snow is firmer and more consistent before the sun softens the glacier surface.

The atmosphere at Stelvio is very different from winter resorts. There is no traditional ski village on the glacier itself; instead, visitors stay in nearby towns such as Bormio and travel up the famous Stelvio Pass road each day. The winding ascent is an experience in itself, offering dramatic views of the surrounding Alps.

Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Centre, Norway

Set high in Norway’s Jotunheimen mountains, the Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Centre offers one of Europe’s most unique summer skiing experiences. Located on the Galdhøpiggen glacier near the country’s highest peak, the resort provides skiers with the rare opportunity to carve turns under the midnight sun, surrounded by dramatic Arctic alpine scenery.

The ski centre operates during the warmer months when most European resorts are closed, typically from late spring through early autumn depending on snow conditions. Despite being a summer destination, the glacier maintains reliable snow cover thanks to its high elevation and cold microclimate. The ski area is relatively compact, with a small selection of groomed glacier runs that are particularly well suited to training, technique improvement, and relaxed cruising rather than high-speed skiing.

Galdhøpiggen is especially popular with ski teams and clubs, who use the consistent snow conditions for off-season training camps. Beginners and intermediates also benefit from the controlled environment, while more advanced skiers enjoy the novelty of glacier skiing in such a remote and rugged setting. Because the terrain is limited compared to major Alpine resorts, the focus is less on variety and more on quality snow and uninterrupted practice time.

Folgefonna Glacier Ski Resort, Norway

Located on the dramatic Folgefonna glacier in western Norway, sitting high above the Hardangerfjord region, Folgefonna Glacier Ski Resort provides skiers with the rare opportunity to carve turns on snow during the warmer months, surrounded by steep mountain peaks and views stretching toward Norway’s rugged coastline.

The summer ski season at Folgefonna typically runs from late spring into early autumn, depending on snow conditions. Although smaller than many Alpine glacier resorts, it is highly valued for its relaxed atmosphere and natural terrain. The ski area features a selection of groomed glacier runs suitable for beginners, intermediates, and freestyle skiers. A terrain park is often set up during the summer months, attracting snowboarders and freestyle skiers who come to train in the off-season.

One of the defining features of skiing at Folgefonna is its long daylight hours. Thanks to Norway’s northern latitude, skiers can enjoy extended sessions under bright summer skies, often with mild temperatures below and dramatic scenery all around. Morning conditions tend to be the most reliable, with firmer snow before the sun softens the glacier surface.

Stelvio Glacier, Italy

Located in the Italian Alps near the border with Switzerland, the Stelvio Glacier (Passo dello Stelvio) is one of Europe’s most iconic summer ski destinations. Sitting at elevations of up to 3,450 metres, it offers reliable snow conditions from late spring through to early autumn, making it a key training ground for ski teams from around the world.

Unlike many resort-based ski areas, Stelvio is a high mountain pass rather than a traditional village ski resort. This gives it a raw, dramatic alpine character, with wide glacier slopes surrounded by towering peaks and winding mountain roads. The ski area typically operates during the summer months, with lifts accessing a selection of glacier runs suitable mainly for intermediate and advanced skiers. The terrain is particularly popular for technical training, especially for slalom and giant slalom disciplines.