Our blog:
Top 5 places to ski in the Alps in August
by Fraser Wilkin, Updated: 1 August 2025
Since this blog was originally written in July 2016, climate change has had a significant impact on summer skiing in the Alps.
Back in 2016, even in the middle of summer there was still plenty of snow-sports action to be enjoyed high on the Alpine glaciers, allowing us to select the title's promised "Top 5 places to ski in the Alps in August". As in recent years, however, this August (2025) there are only 4 summer ski areas open for skiing in the Alps - the number of summer ski areas able to open in August decreasing year on year thanks to the changing climate.
At the time of writing, snow conditions in the summer ski areas currently open are not actually too bad. June and early July were exceptionally hot in the Alps, which led to fears that even the most reliable summer ski areas (such as Hintertux and Zermatt) might struggle to last the summer.
Fortunately, it turned cooler in the second week of July, with multiple high altitude snowfalls throughout the rest of the month. This has allowed for half decent snow conditions on those glaciers still open and some enjoyable summer skiing in the Alps. However, the weather will turn much hotter again this August, when the damage done to Europe's glaciers earlier this summer is likely to become exposed.
Here are the four summer ski areas in the Alps that are still offering skiing this August...
1. Hintertux, Austria
Opening dates: 365 days a year
One of just two glaciers to even attempt to offer skiing 365 days a year, Hintertux boasts some of the best glacier skiing in Europe.
Less prone to closure from bad weather than many of its rivals, the variety of gradient and terrain make Hintertux a firm summer favourite with tourists and training camps alike.
You can usually expect around 20km of marked piste on offer here.
2. Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Opening dates: 18 July 2025 to spring 2026
Saas-Fee may open relatively late for summer skiing (this year opening from 18 July 2025), but the glacial terrain here is that bit steeper and more challenging than its only other serious Swiss rival – Zermatt.
The glacier at Saas-Fee stays open throughout the autumn and is another popular location for training camps and courses.
3. Zermatt, Switzerland / Cervinia, Italy
Opening dates: Zermatt - 365 days Cervinia - 5 May to 7 Sept 2025
Photo: Cervino SpA
Nearly all the skiing here is on the Swiss side of the border, above Zermatt, with access also possible from Cervinia during the summer months.
The glacier is extensive and wonderfully scenic, but also very gentle with little in the way of challenge. However, Zermatt does have the highest pistes in Europe, reaching a dizzying height of 3899m.
Skiing is possible in Zermatt 365 days a year (dependent on the weather) with access from Cervinia for summer skiing this year open from 5 May to 7 September 2025.
Looking for hotels in Zermatt? Click here
Looking for hotels in Cervinia? Click here
Further info: www.zermatt.ch www.cervinia.it
4. Passo Stelvio, Italy
Opening dates: 31 May to 2 November 2025
One of the lesser known summer ski areas, Passo Stelvio (in the eastern Italian Alps) has an unusual ski season, offering glacier skiing only from around the start of June to November. This year Passo Stelvio is open from 31 May to 2 November 2025.
The area is compact but scenic, with mostly gentle terrain, offering around 20km of mostly wide and gentle runs, with a top altitude of 3450m.
The main glacier is accessible from the Passo Stelvio pass (a short drive from Bormio), and has a reputation for keeping its snow better than some of its rivals.
Further info: www.passostelvio.com
Note:
In previous years our "Top 5 places to ski in the Alps in August" has included Les 2 Alpes, France’s highest and most extensive summer ski area. In those years it generally opened from late June to late August. When this blog was updated in 2023, the resort brought its summer season forward to 2 May to 9 July 2023. Since then it has simply continued its "winter season" into summer, this year remaining open until 6 July 2025.
The resort claims to have the largest skiable glacier in the Alps, and it is certainly one of the most varied, with jaw-dropping panoramic views, and an impressive summer vertical that has reached nearly 800m in the past in good conditions. In July 2023, it was offering 9 runs between 3200 and 3568m, on mostly easy, but reasonably varied terrain. This year (2025), all non-glacial terrain had closed by the end of May.
Les 2 Alpes also boasts a world-class terrain park that attracts riders and freestylers from around the world.
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