Our blog:
Top 5 places to ski in the Alps in May
by Fraser Wilkin, updated: 1 May 2023
Most people don't give skiing in the Alps a second thought after April, but good skiing is still possible in some Alpine resorts well into May.
Despite a poor winter overall, May 2023 is no exception, with plenty of snow left at high altitude thanks to the succession of big storms that hit the Alps in April.
For the most part, skiing in the Alps in May will mean skiing on glaciers. However, for the first week or so of May, a handful of resorts can still offer considerable non-glacial terrain. This year, for example, Val d'Isère, Tignes and Cervinia are all open until 6 May 2023, with Val Thorens open until 8 May 2023.
Beyond 8 May 2023, here are five of the best resorts to head to for an 'inter-season' ski break in the Alps...
1. Hintertux, Austria
Closing date: Open 365 days a year!
Arguably the best of the European glaciers, thanks to having steeper and more varied terrain than most, Hintertux is also one of the few to be open every day of the year.
A good choice at any time in May, Hintertux is certainly one of the best options later in the month, when you can often still ski between 2660m and 3250m.
Looking for hotels in Hintertux? Click here
2. Stubai, Austria
Closing date: 21 May 2023
Photo: Tourismusverband Stubai Tirol
Alongside Hintertux, the Stubai glacier ranks as one of the most extensive and varied in the Alps, with runs of nearly 900m vertical (between 2300-3170m) possible given good conditions.
Stubai is another very safe bet if you are planning on hitting the slopes later on in May.
3. Zermatt, Switzerland
Closing date: Open 365 days a year (weather-permitting!)
Alongside Hintertux, Zermatt is one of only two Alpine resorts that even attempt to open for skiing 365 days a year.
By late April, two of the main areas (Gornergrat, Sunnegga/Rothorn) have finished for the season, but up on the Klein Matterhorn snowsports continue all year round. Skiing in May usually takes place between 2940m and 3820m.
Looking for hotels in Zermatt? Click here
4. Kitzsteinhorn glacier (Kaprun), Austria
Closing date: 29 May 2023
Photo: facebook.com/kitzsteinhorn
The Kitzsteinhorn glacier above Kaprun in the Austrian Salzburgland is one of the more extensive options for skiing in the Alps in May.
At the time of writing (early May 2023), around ten runs are currently open between 2450m and 3030m. The number of runs available may reduce as the month goes on, but you should still be able to ski on a good variety of terrain on the upper part of the glacier.
In previous years the Kitzsteinhorn glacier has sometimes reopened for a few weeks in mid-June to July, but this does not appear to be the case for summer 2023.
5. Kaunertal glacier, Austria
Closing date: 21 May 2023
Photo: facebook.com/kaunertal.gletscher, 24 May 2021
The Kaunertal glacier in Austria's Tirol region is usually able to offer excellent snow conditions throughout May. As it has no resort base as such, it tends to be favoured by race training camps or frequented by day-trippers.
This year (2023) the glacier has around seven runs open, at altitudes of up to 3100m. This number may dwindle as the month progresses.
Note:
In previous years, Switzerland's Engelberg has been one of our "Top 5 places to ski in the Alps in May", continuing to offer skiing for most of the month. However, this year (2023), the resort has decided to close for the season on 7 May despite having plenty of snow. In previous years, a handful of easy runs have been open on Engelberg's relatively small glacier throughout May, with some more advanced slopes remaining open in most years down to Stand (2428m) and sometimes even to Trübsee (1800m).
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