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Updated: 10.20am Saturday 26 September 2026 – Pitztal glacier opens for skiing today!

The extent of skiing on all these glaciers remains very limited with just two runs open in Pitztal on a heavily managed base. There was a dusting of snow on the Austrian glaciers mid-week, though not enough to radically transform the otherwise barren landscape for any length of time. Overall, the weather in the Alps this September has again been exceptionally dry and warm.

Looking a bit further ahead, the forecast for the Alps remains unfavourable for the glaciers, with next week set to get off to a very warm start across the board. It will turn a fraction cooler mid-week with some showers and even a dusting of snow possible at high altitude, however, temperatures will remain above average for the foreseeable future.

Next weekend will see Hintertux - which until recently opened 365 days a year –open its glacier for skiing for the first time since July. Sölden and Kaunertal, however, have postponed their openings and (at the time of writing) have yet to confirm until what exact dates. 

Read our latest blog to find out where you can normally ski in the Alps in September…

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Updated: 10.30am Saturday 19 September 2026 – Val Senales opens for skiing today!

Before anyone gets too excited, the extent of available skiing at Val Senales is, for now, very limited (less than 1km of piste) and is entirely dependent on artificial snow. Passo Stelvio is only slightly better with around 3km of pistes open.

The next wave of glacier skiing openings are expected to be in Austria, where Pitztal, Kaunertal, Kaprun and Sölden are all scheduled to open next weekend (25-26 September 2026). However, with snow conditions remaining poor, some of these areas may push these opening dates back.

The weather in the Alps is not very promising for snow sports enthusiasts right now. It is mostly dry and warm again, and will turn quite hot even in the western Alps where freezing levels are set to surpass 4000m for several days in a row.

Towards the end of next week, it may turn cooler from the east with a sprinkling of snow possible on the Austrian glaciers, albeit nothing significant at this stage. Indeed, it will probably turn very warm again towards the end of the month.

Updated: 11.25am Friday 11 September 2026 – Fresh snow in the Alps!

As usual, we are at pains to point out that this snow means nothing in terms of the coming winter ski season. However, with a temporary dusting as low as 2600m and 20cm+ in places above 3400m, it has at least spruced up the appearance of the glaciers, which have suffered unprecedented damage this summer, in the context of the “skiing era”.

Whether or not this fresh snow will be enough to allow either Zermatt or Saas-Fee to contemplate reopening their glaciers for skiing any time soon remains to be seen. Due to the combination of heatwaves and high-altitude rain, Zermatt, which is normally open for skiing all year-round, suspended operations on 1 August 2026, while Saas-Fee (which opened in mid-July) gave up just 10 days later.

At the time of writing, the only ski area in the Alps currently open is Italy’s Passo Stelvio, although Val Senales (Schnalstal) hopes to join the action on 18 September.

In Austria, the glaciers at Sölden, Hintertux, Pitztal and Kaunertal are all expected to open for skiing around 25 or 26 September.

Updated: 12pm Friday 4 September 2026 – Passo Stelvio reopens its glacier for skiing today!

Ironically, it has just turned hot again in the Alps. Exceptionally so in the western Alps, where temperatures will hit the mid 30°Cs in some lower valleys (e.g. Grenoble) over the next few days.

Towards the second half of next week, the weather in the Alps will turn a bit cooler and more unsettled, but for how long is uncertain, as the heat won’t ever be far way.

Updated: 4.45pm Friday 21 August 2026 – A change of weather in the Alps at last!

The heaviest rain has fallen in the southern Alps, where there were also some spectacular thunderstorms. The rain/snow limit remained high yesterday, generally around 3500–3700m, but has lowered a little today, meaning that there is some fresh snow on the higher glaciers, mostly above 3200m or so.

However, this snow probably won’t change the situation in the Alps much, following a summer of record-breaking temperatures which has led to there being no open summer skiing options in the Alps for some time now.

Over the next couple of weeks, the weather in the Alps looks set to be fairly changeable. It will warm up again next week, with temperatures in the lower valleys into the high 20°Cs mid-week.

Later next week the weather will turn more unsettled, and a little cooler again, but we are a long way off any sign of the glaciers re-opening for skiing. 

Updated: 5.20pm Saturday 15 August 2026 – Passo Stelvio suspends its ski operations today, leaving the Alps with no summer skiing options - perhaps for the first time ever!

Italy’s Passo Stelvio, which doesn’t open for skiing in the winter, is one of the Alps’ last true summer ski areas, usually open from late May until early November.

Its early closure follows the unscheduled early closures of Saas-Fee and Zermatt-Cervinia, meaning that for the first time since summer skiing began, there is currently no summer skiing on offer anywhere in the Alps!

The relentless heatwaves which have affected much of western Europe since the end of May, and the large number of violent thunderstorms with very high rain/snow limits (sometimes as high as 4000m) have made it impossible to keep any summer skiing area in the Alps viable this year.

The very hot weather currently afflicting the Alps should ease a little as we move through the second half of August but it’s almost certainly too late to resurrect any summer skiing, and it will probably be deep into September before any of the glacier ski areas consider opening again. 

Updated: 9.20am Friday 7 August 2026 – Saas-Fee to suspend summer skiing operations…

This comes off the back of an exceptionally hot summer in the Alps, likely the hottest ever in the western Alps, when freezing levels have often been between 4000m and 5000m, with temperatures in the lower valleys climbing into the mid or even high 30°Cs.

To further complicate matters, there have also been an unusual number of severe thunderstorms, including near the main Alpine ridge around Zermatt/Saas-Fee, traditionally one of the drier parts of the Alps. With rain falling as high as 4000m, these storms have accelerated the thaw and destabilisation of the glaciers.

With Zermatt and Hintertux also having closed in recent weeks, this leaves the one remaining summer ski option in the Alps being Italy’s Passo Stelvio, albeit also now in very poor condition. Nor will there be any let up this week, with temperatures remaining elevated across the Alps and renewed heatwave conditions likely again next week. 

Updated: 12pm Saturday 25 June 2026 – New heatwave incoming!

The good news is that the weather in the Alps will turn noticeably cooler over the weekend and into the first part of next week. The bad news, however, is that this cooler incursion will be very transitory, with the heat returning on Tuesday.

Indeed, by Wednesday most of the Alps will again be under “heatwave” conditions, meaning temperatures into the mid-, and sometimes even high 30°Cs in the lowlands, with freezing levels approaching 5000m!

Needless to say, snow conditions on the few glaciers currently open for summer skiing are less than ideal, with Hintertux having closed last weekend, a week earlier than its scheduled 26 July finish.

Tomorrow and Monday might see a very temporary improvement in snow conditions, with the highest glaciers even seeing a little fresh snow from the showers and storms forecast this weekend. Fundamentally though, the glaciers are in very poor condition for late July, with no guarantee that those scheduled to remain open for the rest of the summer will be able to do so.

For now, there are just three summer ski options in the Alps – four if you separately count Cervinia (Italy) and Zermatt (Switzerland), which share a glacier. The only other possibilities are Saas-Fee (Switzerland) and Passo Stelvio (Italy). All the alpine options are extremely limited. 

Updated: 10am Friday 17 June 2026 – The intense heatwave is easing in the Alps...

That said, the weather in the Alps will remain very warm over the next few days, it will just lose the extreme heat that has not only affected the Alps but also much of western Europe.

Not surprisingly, snow conditions on the Alpine glaciers have deteriorated significantly since we last reported, as shown by our images of the Grande Motte glacier above Tignes taken less than one month apart. It is not surprising that Tignes closed its summer skiing operation a few days early, on Wednesday, as snow conditions here became increasingly marginal. 

Elsewhere in the Alps, you can still ski on the glacier above Zermatt/Cervinia, although the lift operations are closed today due to adverse weather last night when heavy rain affected the area.

The other options for summer skiing are Passo Stelvio, Hintertux and, from tomorrow, Saas-Fee. However, none of these areas are in good shape and unscheduled early closures remain a possibility, especially if the intense heat returns. 

Updated: 10am Thursday 18 June 2026 – Intense heat returns to the Alps!

Although it will be hot across all parts of the Alps, as in late May it will be the western Alps that will see the most extreme temperatures, with 35°C+ commonplace in the lower valleys over the weekend and especially early next week. Some areas (e.g. Grenoble) could see temperatures even approaching 40°C with freezing levels as high as 4500-4800m.

There remains some uncertainty as to exactly how long the extreme heat in the Alps will last, however, most models agree that heatwave conditions are likely for at least a week and, quite likely, much longer.

This second bout of exceptionally hot weather in the Alps is obviously not good news for the glacier where, after a generally good spring and early summer skiing season, snow conditions have started to and will continue to deteriorate at increasing pace over the coming days.

Right now, summer skiing is possible in 5 to 6 resorts in the Alps, depending on whether you count Zermatt and Cervinia (with their shared glacier) as one or two. The other options are Les 2 Alpes, Hintertux, Val d’Isère and Passo Stelvio.

Tignes is set to join the action this weekend, with its Grande Motte glacier area (pictured) just about holding up for now. However, you can expect ice to be showing through here soon as is also likely on other glaciers elsewhere.

Thanks to climate change, summer heatwaves in the Alps have become much more frequent and severe in recent years. This has forced summer ski areas to reconsider how they operate, with many bringing their seasons forward to concentrate on spring and early summer, rather than attempting to remain open through the hottest months. 

Check out our revised and updated blog for everything you need to know about skiing in the Alps in June.

Updated: 11am Monday 1 June 2026 – The heatwave in the Alps is over...

That said, it certainly won’t be cold, but temperatures will just be closer to what is expected at this time of year, with average freezing levels nearer 3000m rather than 4000m, as has been the case over the last couple of weeks, at least in the western Alps. There will also be some thunderstorms around, especially on Tuesday when they could be quite violent in places.

Later next weekend and into next week it will probably become hotter again, but how long this will last is too early to say at this stage.

Skiing options in the Alps in the first few days of June have dwindled to five, which are Les 2 Alpes, Hintertux, Cervinia, Zermatt and, as of today, Passo Stelvio in Italy.

Updated: 8am Thursday 28 May 2026 – Alpine heatwave to ease next week...

This historic spring heatwave, in place for nearly a week now, has most impacted the western Alps where freezing levels have been around the 4000m mark, and temperatures in the lower valleys often exceeding 30˚C. This would be considered hot even for the middle of summer but, for May, it is exceptional - unprecedented even in places, especially in the French Alps.

After a cool and, at altitude, quite snowy start to May, it is hardly surprising that snow conditions in the few ski areas still open have rapidly reverted to “full summer mode”. This doesn’t mean that there isn’t still some good skiing available, but the window of opportunity is narrow (early to mid-morning). By the middle of the day, the slopes become unpleasantly slushy, even at glacial altitudes.

Right now, you can ski in 5 resorts across the Alps:

• In Italy, Cervinia is the only option but will be joined by Passo Stelvio this weekend. Cervinia has, until recently, still offered some long non-glacial runs all the way down to Plan Maison (2550m) but for now most of the skiing is on the glacier shared with Zermatt, on the Swiss side of the border.
• In France, you can only ski in Les 2 Alpes, which still has reasonable snow cover below the glacier to 2600m thanks to a relatively strong winter season but for how long any non-glacial terrain stays open remains to be seen.
• In Austria, you can ski in Hintertux, which also has some non-glacial terrain open for now and, on a much more limited basis, on the Mölltal glacier (which closes this weekend). 
• In Switzerland, you can ski in Zermatt (with its linked ski area with Cervinia).
   

Read our blog for more on where to ski in the Alps in May...

Updated: 9am Monday 25 May 2026 – Unprecedented spring heatwave in the Alps...

After a relatively cool start to May (and, at higher altitudes, quite a snowy one) conditions turned much warmer early last week, with freezing levels reaching or exceeding 4,000m across most of the Alps for several consecutive days. At lower altitudes, this has brought temperatures of 30°C or more.

While temperatures like these are not unprecedented in themselves, the persistence of the heat, combined with the fact that it is still spring, makes this Alpine heatwave particularly noteworthy.  

Right now, you can still ski in 5 areas in the Alps, these being Les 2 Alpes in France, Cervinia in Italy, Zermatt in Switzerland, and Hintertux and Mölltal in Austria. Some non-glacial terrain still available in all of these ski areas except Mölltal.

Although early spring snow conditions in the Alps were excellent, the current heatwave has created very marked freeze-thaw conditions (mostly thaw), with the snow quickly softening in the strong sun, and becoming very slushy by late morning, even above 3000m.

For now, snow coverage on the glacier ski areas is still good, however, resorts planning to be open in the middle of summer (e.g. Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Passo Stelvio) will no doubt be monitoring the situation with some concern. 

Updated: 8am Wednesday 20 May 2026 – Great snow conditions on the glaciers, but temperatures in the Alps are about to soar...

However, the weather in the Alps is on the change, with high pressure bringing increasingly hot and sunny weather over the next few days. Indeed, temperatures will hit or surpass 30˚C in many of the lower valleys from Friday onwards, with freezing levels above 4000m.

This will change snow conditions on the glaciers from relatively wintry (as seen in the last week or two) to more typical of mid-summer, with early hard snow quickly softening as the morning progresses, and plenty of slush by the middle of the day.

Right now, you can ski in 6 areas in the Alps, namely Les 2 Alpes, Zermatt, Cervinia, Kitsteinhorn, Hintertux and Mölltal.

Of these, Les 2 Alpes, Cervinia and Hintertux still have notable non-glacial terrain open, but for how long remains to be seen…

Updated: 1pm Sunday 17 May 2026 – Excellent snow conditions on the glaciers but warming up next week...

Although it is mostly dry again today, a new wave of showers is set to arrive from the west tomorrow. These will be heaviest later in the day and in Austria, where another 10-15cm of snow is possible at altitude. The rain/snow limit will be around 1500-2000m.

From Tuesday onwards, an area of high pressure will start to establish itself across the Alps bringing increasingly fine and warm weather to all regions. Indeed, by the end of next week temperatures could reach into the high 20˚Cs at low altitude.

For now, though, snow conditions in the Alps are excellent in the few areas still open, all of which involve glacier ski areas. These are:

• France: Les 2 Alpes, which also has some non-glacial terrain open;
• Italy: Cervinia (shared with Zermatt), which still has some non-glacial terrain open on the Italian side of the ski area
• Switzerland: Zermatt (shared with Cervinia); and
• Austria: Hintertux, Kitzsteinhorn, Stubai and Kaunertal (although note that Stubai and Kaunertal both close today).

However, with summer weather returning later next week, and very warm temperatures likely to be set in for some time to come, there is no guarantee that snow conditions will still be as favourable a few weeks down the line…

Updated: 11am Wednesday 13 May 2026 – More snow forecast for the Alps!

In terms of the ski areas that remain open, this fresh snow has (so far) most benefited Les 2 Alpes, Cervinia and Zermatt. However, between tonight and Sunday, it will be the eastern Alps that will see the most snow, with 50cm+ possible for the Austrian glaciers, while Les 2 Alpes and Zermatt / Cervinia will see more in the range of 5-20cm. The rain/snow limit will also be very low for May, typically between 1300m and 1700m, but as low as 1000m in places.

Needless to say, all this new snow is great news for the Alpine glaciers, many of which risked looking very threadbare early in the summer after what had, until now, been an exceptionally dry spring.

This late wintry spell will delay the thaw at altitude, but it does not by any means guarantee that snow conditions on the few glaciers planning to be open mid-summer (e.g. Saas-Fee, Zermatt) will be in great condition. Indeed, it looks likely that the weather in the Alps may turn hot again later next week with above average temperatures locked in for some time. Watch this space…

For now, weather-permitting, skiing in the Alps is possible in the following areas:

• France – Les 2 Alpes
• Italy – Cervinia
• Switzerland – Zermatt
• Austria – Hintertux, Kitzsteinhorn, Kaunertal, Stubai, Mölltal

Updated: 11am Monday 11 May 2026 – Significant snow for some parts of the Alps this week...

Today, bands of showers are crossing the Alps from west to east, heaviest later this evening and overnight, and in the north, with some rumbles of thunder in places. The rain/snow limit will start at around 2000-2300m before dropping to between 900m and 1500m in the northern Alps tonight.

On Tuesday, any rain or snow (1000m) will die out from the western Alps but continue for a time in the eastern Alps with snow falling to as low as 800m in some northern parts of the Austrian Alps. Although the southern Alps will also see showers over the next 24-hours it will be the northern Alps that see the heaviest precipitation, with 10-30cm of fresh snow above 2200m, and 40cm+ in places.

After a relative reprieve mid-week, new weather fronts will bring more rain or snow to the Alps late on Thursday and on Friday, again heaviest in the north and with snow again falling to 1000m or lower in places.

This week’s snow forecast is great news for the alpine glaciers, nearly all of which have lower than average snow depths for the middle of May but will see much-needed top-ups over the next few days. Les 2 Alpes will also see these top-ups, but stands out as an exception, already having above-average snow depths on its glacier area.

Read our blog for more on where to ski in the Alps in May...

Updated: 9.30am Thursday 7 May 2026 – Epic snow conditions in some parts of the Alps today...

So, why are snow conditions in Les 2 Alpes this good? The answer is due to a big storm earlier this week that mostly affected the western and south-western Alps (to various degrees). Les 2 Alpes sat right in the sweet spot (especially on Tuesday), collecting at least 50-70cm of snow at altitude! What’s more, the sun is back today and not only is the glacier in pristine condition, but you can also still ski on non-glacial terrain back down to 2600m.

The only other area in the Alps that is comparable right now is Zermatt/Cervinia, which also saw significant new snow this week, and where you can also still ski below glacier level – especially on the Italian side.

Elsewhere in the Alps, you can ski on the glaciers at Hintertux, Stubai, Kaunertal, Kitzsteinhorn, Mölltal and Val Senales. However, the snow conditions and variety of terrain available in these areas are currently not comparable to Les 2 Alpes and Zermatt/Cervinia. 

Updated: 9am Wednesday 6 May 2026 – Heavy snow for parts of the Alps!

Indeed Les 2 Alpes, one of the few resorts still offering skiing right now, reported 50cm of fresh snow on its glacier yesterday, with further snow forecast today.

Many other parts of the Alps have also seen a least a bit of snow at altitude in the last day or two, heaviest in the west where the rain/snow level could dip below 2000m today.

For the rest of this week, the weather in the Alps will remain unsettled with further showers in places. However, with temperatures rising again, any snowfall will be increasingly confined to glacial altitudes.  

Weather-permitting, around eight ski areas in the Alps are open this week, all of them on glaciers. 

Updated: 1pm Sunday 3 May 2026 – Last “proper” day of the Alpine season...

Despite April having been exceptionally dry and warm, leading to a rapid melting of much of the lower-lying snow across the Alps, at higher altitudes, solid base depths and predominantly fine weather have provided excellent spring skiing in recent weeks. That said, overall snow depths are now below the norm for early May, which does not bode particularly well for the summer skiing season.

If you are planning to ski in the Alps this summer, May and June will generally offer the most options. Skiing in the Alps any later in summer is becoming increasingly uncertain these days.

Elsewhere in Europe, you can (believe it or not) still ski in Scotland’s Cairngorm, albeit on a very limited basis. Slovakia’s Jasná is also open, reportedly until 10 May. A handful of ski resorts also remain open in Scandinavia, as is usual at this time of year.

Spain’s Sierra Nevada also deserves a special mention. It may be closing today, but it has enjoyed an exceptionally snowy season and still has plenty of snow all the way down to resort level.

See our archive for what was happening on previous days in the Alps