Our blog:
Top 5 places to ski in the Alps in July
by Fraser Wilkin, Updated: 12 July 2023
July may not be the most obvious month to think about skiing, but high up on the Alpine glaciers there has (historically at least) usually been enough snow for some skiing.
Climate change has led to summer snow conditions becoming much more erratic in the Alps in recent years. This year (2023), the prospects for the summer ski season were not looking good following a poor winter season, athough there was a little more room for optimism after a colder and snowier than average spring.
Early summer snow conditions in the Alps ended up being quite decent, however, recent heatwaves have led to a deterioration in the quality of the snow on the glaciers, leaving question-marks over how things will pan out over the next few weeks.
Here are the five best places to ski in the Alps in July 2023...
1. Hintertux, Austria
Opening dates: 365 days a year
Open 365 days a year, Hintertux arguably offers the finest summer ski terrain in Europe.
It’s certainly no coincidence how many national ski teams choose to train here. The glacier is steeper and more varied than most, with around 20km of marked piste on offer.
2. Zermatt, Switzerland / Cervinia, Italy
Opening dates: Zermatt: 365 days Cervinia: 24 June - 10 Sept 2023
Photo: Cervino SpA
Zermatt is one of only two Alpine resorts that still (weather permitting) offer skiing 365 days a year. The summer skiing here is mostly easy but Zermatt does have the highest pistes in Europe, reaching a dizzying height of 3899m.
Access from the Cervinia side is possible from 24 June to 10 September 2023.
Looking for hotels in Zermatt? Click here
Looking for hotels in Cervinia? Click here
Further info: www.zermatt.ch www.cervinia.it
3. Passo Stelvio, Italy
Opening dates: 1 June - 1 November 2023
One of the lesser known summer ski areas in the Alps, Passo Stelvio offers 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
4. Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Opening dates: 15 July - spring 2024
Saas-Fee is one of just two Swiss ski resorts (the other being Zermatt) to offer any skiing in the middle of summer. This year (2023) the resort is scheduled to open its summer skiing operation on 15 July 2023, with skiing then continuing throughout the autumn and into the next winter season.
You can expect around 20km of relatively snow-sure pistes to be open, with slightly steeper terrain than in nearby Zermatt.
Saas-Fee also has a reputation for keeping its glacier snow in better condition than most.
5. Tignes, France
Opening dates: 17 June - 23 July 2023
Tignes may not quite have the variety of terrain or scenery on offer in Les 2 Alpes when it is open for summer skiing (this year it brought its season forward and only opened until 9 July 2023) but, the glacier here is a little steeper, and is still reasonably extensive by summer skiing standards.
It is also one of the easiest summer skiing areas to reach from resort level, just 5 minutes by underground funicular from Tignes Val Claret.
Until recently, Tignes offered summer skiing well into August. However, problems with snow cover and quality in recent years have forced the resort to shorten its summer season. This year the Grand Motte glacier kicked into action on 17 June and will close on 23 July 2023. You can expect a maximum of 18km of pistes to be open, with a top height of 3455m and vertical of around 500m.
Note:
In previous years our "Top 5 places to ski in the Alps in July" has included Les 2 Alpes, France’s highest and most extensive summer ski area, however this year it brought its summer season forward to 2 May to 9 July 2023. In the past it has generally opened from late June to late August, with its glacier offering 9 runs between 3200 and 3568m. The terrain open has been mostly easy, but reasonably varied, with potentially 800m of vertical on offer in good conditions. When it is open, the glacier in Les 2 Alpes also boasts a world class terrain park.
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