Top 5 places to ski in the Alps in August
by Fraser Wilkin, Updated:
Since this blog was originally written in July 2013, climate change has had a significant impact on summer skiing in the Alps.
Back in 2013 (and when this blog was later updated 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". However, the number of summer ski areas able to open in August has been steadily decreasing year on year thanks to the changing climate.
Last August (2025) there were only 4 summer ski areas open for skiing in the Alps, these being Hintertux, Zermatt-Cervinia, Passo Stelvio and Saas-Fee. On 1 August 2025, snow conditions weren't actually too bad despite an exceptionally hot June and early July, which had led to fears that even the most reliable summer ski areas (such as Hintertux and Zermatt) might struggle to last the summer.
Fortunately, in 2025, it turned cooler in the second week of July, with multiple high altitude snowfalls throughout the rest of the month. This allowed for half decent snow conditions on those glaciers still open and some enjoyable summer skiing in the Alps.
Sadly by 2026, Hintertux (which had been a "365 days a year" skiing destination) announced it would be suspending its summer skiing operations in late July - which now seems its new normal. This now brings the number of August skiing options down to three moving forward.
This year has also seen the unscheduled suspension of summer skiing in Zermatt and Cervinia's shared glacier ski area on 31 July 2026, meaning there will be no August skiing here in 2026 - the second time this has ever happened.
Saas-Fee has also joined the list of casualties in 2026, having also announced that it will suspend its summer skiing operation this summer (instead of rolling it through until the winter ski season as normal) on Monday 10 August 2026.
As regular followers of Weathertoski will know, snow conditions on the Alpine glaciers have been very poor for some weeks now, thanks to 2026 seeing what will almost certainly end up being the hottest summer in the Alps on record. It is therefore very unlikely that any additional summer ski areas will reopen until September, at the very earliest.
So, while back in spring we had hoped to feature three summer ski areas as options for skiing in the Alps in August 2026 (being Zermatt-Cervinia, Saas-Fee and Passo Stelvio), we are down to just one - Passo Stelvio. The snow is in a very sorry state here already and, given that the hot weather is forecast to continue, who knows how long it will remain open. (EDIT: As of 15 August 2026, Passo Stelvio has now also suspended its summer skiing operation for this year, leaving the Alps without ANY summer skiing options for the first time ever.)
Passo Stelvio is the last remaining option for summer skiing in August 2026 from Monday, though quite how we are not sure! – Photo: pirovano.it, 8 August 2026
The last 3 summer ski areas in the Alps that offer skiing in August are listed below...
1. Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Opening dates: 18 July 2026 to 10 August 2026 (Unscheduled early closure - usually opens until spring)
Saas-Fee may open relatively late for summer skiing (this year opening from 18 July 2026), 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 usually stays open throughout the autumn and is another popular location for training camps and courses.
However, this year (2026) it announced that it will suspend its summer skiing operation (instead of rolling it through until the winter ski season as normal) on Monday 10 August 2026. This follows what will likely end up being the hottest summer in the Alps on record.
2. Passo Stelvio, Italy
Opening dates: 30 May to 1 November 2026 (EDIT: As of 15 August 2026, Passo Stelvio has now also suspended its summer skiing operation for this year)
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 30 May to 1 November 2026. It will also be the only open option for skiing in the Alps in August from 10 August 2026.
The area is compact but scenic, with mostly gentle terrain, potentially offering around 20km of mostly wide and gentle runs, with a top altitude of 3450m. As at the time of writing (8 August 2026) snow conditions are very poor here, with only 3km of pistes open.
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
3. Zermatt, Switzerland / Cervinia, Italy
Opening dates:
Zermatt - Usually 365 days (Unscheduled suspension from 31 July 2026)
Cervinia - Continues through spring until winter season with brief closure from 7 September to late October (Unscheduled suspension from 31 July 2026)
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 usually possible in Zermatt 365 days a year (dependent on the weather) with access from Cervinia for summer skiing usually continuing through from spring until early September. Last year it opened from 5 May to 7 September 2025.
In 2026, however, due to prolonged warm weather impacting snow conditions, the ski area announced an unscheduled suspension of summer skiing on Zermatt and Cervinia's shared glacier ski area from 31 July 2026, meaning there will be no August skiing here in 2026 - only the second time this has ever happened.
Looking for hotels in Zermatt? Click here
Looking for hotels in Cervinia? Click here
Further info: www.zermatt.ch www.cervinia.it
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, last year remaining open until 6 July 2025, and this year closing on 1 July 2026.
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. Last 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.
Similarly, our "Top 5 places to ski in the Alps in August" also used to include Hintertux, one of just two glaciers to have even attempted to offer skiing 365 days a year. However, the resort has now taken the decision to suspend skiing from late July. In 2026, there will be no skiing in August here, and the glacier will reopen when conditions permit at some point in September.
Boasting some of the best glacier skiing in Europe, and less prone to closure from bad weather than many of its rivals, the variety of gradient and terrain made Hintertux a firm summer favourite with tourists and training camps alike.
In previous years you could usually expect around 20km of marked piste on offer here in August.
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