Best summer ski resorts in Europe 2026

Skiing in summer is one of the sport's best-kept open secrets. A handful of glacier resorts across the Alps keep lifts running from June through to September, and the experience is nothing like a regular winter week. Shorter days on snow, long warm afternoons, and terrain parks that draw freestyle teams from around the world all make summer skiing a distinctive holiday in its own right. If you want the full picture of what a summer ski trip involves - conditions, kit, logistics, and what to realistically expect from your time on the glacier - our companion guide Summer skiing: where, when, and what it's actually like covers it all. This list focuses on where to go: the glacier resorts worth the trip in summer 2026.

1. Zermatt, Switzerland
2. Hintertux, Austria
3. Saas-Fee, Switzerland
4. Tignes, France
5. Les 2 Alpes, France
6. Val d'Isere, France
7. Cervinia, Italy
8. Passo Stelvio, Italy

1. Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt's Matterhorn glacier paradise is the highest summer ski area in the Alps, and it runs year-round - one of very few resorts anywhere in Europe that never closes. The summer skiing sits between roughly 3,000 m and 3,883 m on the Klein Matterhorn, and on a good day the views stretch across four countries. The skiable area is smaller than in winter - typically around 20 km of groomed runs - but the quality of the snow at that altitude holds up well into July and August. A gravity park with kickers, rails, and a halfpipe draws national freestyle squads through the summer months. The morning-only schedule (lifts usually close by early afternoon) leaves the rest of the day free for the village, the hiking trails, or the Gornergrat railway.

WeSki insider tip: The first lifts open very early in summer - arriving on the glacier by 7:30 gives you the best snow before it softens in the sun. By noon the surface can be heavy, so most experienced summer skiers call it a day before the lifts officially close.

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2. Hintertux, Austria

Hintertux is Austria's only year-round ski resort, and it wears that distinction well. The glacier sits at the head of the Zillertal valley, reaching up to 3,250 m, with summer skiing spread across around 18 km of groomed runs. The slopes tend to be wide and well-maintained, which makes Hintertux popular with race teams training through the off-season as well as recreational skiers looking for reliable summer snow. The Betterpark Hintertux terrain park is a fixture of the summer scene, with features rebuilt regularly to keep the setup fresh. Down in the valley, the village of Hintertux is quieter than the big-name Swiss resorts, with a handful of good hotels and easy access to walking trails, swimming lakes, and the Zillertal's summer hiking network.

WeSki insider tip: The Spannagel ice cave sits right next to the glacier and is open for guided tours in summer. It is a good option for non-skiing companions or for afternoons when the lifts have closed.

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3. Saas-Fee, Switzerland

Saas-Fee's Allalin glacier is one of the most reliable summer skiing spots in the Alps, sitting at an altitude where snow quality stays firm well into August. The summer area is compact - around 8 km of groomed runs - but the setting is spectacular: the village sits at 1,800 m in a bowl surrounded by eighteen 4,000 m peaks, and the glacier is accessed by the Metro Alpin, the world's highest underground funicular. Saas-Fee is car-free, which gives it a calm, unhurried feel that pairs well with the shorter skiing days. Freestyle skiers will find a well-maintained summer park on the glacier, and the village itself has a good spread of restaurants and a well-developed hiking network for the afternoons.

WeSki insider tip: The revolving restaurant at the top of the Allalin is worth a stop even on non-skiing days. The 360-degree panorama takes in the Mischabel range and, on clear mornings, Mont Blanc in the distance.

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4. Tignes, France

Tignes runs a focused summer ski season on the Grande Motte glacier, usually from late June through to the end of July or into early August depending on conditions. The summer area covers around 15 km of groomed runs between 2,700 m and 3,456 m, and the terrain park is a major draw - it regularly hosts national team camps and summer freestyle events. Tignes itself sits at 2,100 m, high enough that even the valley feels alpine rather than lowland, and the resort leans into its summer identity with mountain biking, lake swimming, and a full events calendar alongside the skiing. The glacier lifts run mornings only, which fits neatly with an afternoon on the lake or the bike trails.

WeSki insider tip: The lake in Tignes le Lac is warm enough to swim in by mid-July and sits right in the centre of the resort. Morning skiing followed by an afternoon swim is a combination that is hard to beat.

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5. Les 2 Alpes, France

Les 2 Alpes has one of the largest summer glacier ski areas in Europe, with around 10 km of runs on the glacier above 3,200 m. The resort runs its summer season from mid-June to late August, and the terrain park up top is a highlight - it draws a young, energetic crowd and regularly hosts freestyle competitions. The glacier access involves a combination of the Jandri Express gondola and a funicular, which gets you from the village at 1,650 m to over 3,400 m in around 20 minutes. The village has a lively summer atmosphere with a good range of bars and restaurants, and the mountain biking scene here is one of the strongest in the French Alps, with lift-accessed downhill trails running alongside the glacier skiing.

WeSki insider tip: If you are interested in mountain biking as well as skiing, Les 2 Alpes is the strongest choice on this list. The bike park opens in the afternoon just as the glacier lifts close, so you can fit both into one day.

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6. Val d'Isere, France

Val d'Isere's summer skiing takes place on the Pisaillas glacier, a smaller and quieter setup than its neighbour Tignes. The glacier opens for a shorter window - typically late June through mid-July - and the area is compact, with around 6 km of runs between 2,770 m and 3,300 m. What it lacks in scale, it makes up for in setting and atmosphere. Val d'Isere's village has some of the best restaurants in the French Alps, and the summer walking trails through the Vanoise National Park are exceptional. The resort also runs a strong programme of summer trail running events. For skiers who want a few mornings on snow combined with an alpine walking holiday, the combination works well.

WeSki insider tip: Val d'Isere's summer season is the shortest on this list, so timing matters. Check opening dates before you book - the glacier is snow-dependent and the window can shift by a week or two in either direction.

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7. Cervinia, Italy

Cervinia shares the Matterhorn glacier paradise with Zermatt on the Swiss side, which means summer skiers here have access to the same high-altitude terrain - up to 3,883 m - but from an Italian base. The Plateau Rosa area is the main summer skiing zone, with around 15 km of runs that connect through to Zermatt's glacier network. The Italian side tends to be a little quieter than the Swiss side in summer, and the village of Breuil-Cervinia sits at 2,050 m in a dramatic position directly below the Matterhorn's south face. The dining is strong - Italian mountain food at altitude - and the afternoon hiking options include trails with views that make for a compelling second half of the day.

WeSki insider tip: You can ski from Cervinia through to Zermatt and back in a single morning. The cross-border run is one of the great summer skiing experiences in the Alps - just carry your passport and allow time for the return lifts.

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8. Passo Stelvio, Italy

Passo Stelvio is a dedicated summer ski area in the Italian Alps, sitting on the glacier above the famous Stelvio Pass road at around 3,450 m. Unlike the resort-based glaciers on this list, Stelvio is purely a ski destination - there is no village at the top, just the ski infrastructure and a few mountain restaurants. The glacier runs from late May through to early November, making it one of the longest summer ski seasons in Europe, and the area is heavily used by national race teams for summer training. The skiing covers around 12 km of groomed runs, with a strong emphasis on GS and slalom training terrain. For recreational skiers, the appeal is the snow quality - the high altitude and north-facing aspect keep conditions firm later into the season than most other summer options.

WeSki insider tip: The Stelvio Pass road itself is one of the great driving experiences in Europe - 48 hairpin bends up to 2,757 m. If you are driving to the glacier, the road is part of the trip. Arrive early to combine the drive with first lifts.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you actually ski in summer in Europe?

You can, and people do every year. Summer skiing in Europe takes place on high-altitude glaciers, typically above 2,700 m, where snow persists year-round. The experience is different from winter - shorter hours on snow, smaller ski areas, and morning-only schedules - but the skiing itself is real, groomed, and lift-served. The resorts on this list all run established summer operations with maintained pistes and terrain parks.

What are the conditions like for summer skiing?

Morning conditions are usually the best. The snow firms up overnight and softens as the sun hits it, which is why most glacier lifts open early and close by early afternoon. Expect groomed pistes rather than powder, and be prepared for the snow to become heavier and slower as the morning progresses. Sunscreen and good goggles are essential - the UV at altitude is strong, and the glare off the snow in bright sunshine is intense.

Do you need different equipment for summer skiing?

Not really. Standard ski or snowboard equipment works for summer glacier skiing. The one thing to adjust is layering - mornings on the glacier can be cold, but temperatures rise quickly, so removable layers are more important than heavy insulation. If you are hiring, the same setup you would use in winter works well. Some experienced summer skiers use slightly shorter skis for the softer afternoon snow, but it is not necessary.

Is summer skiing suitable for beginners?

Summer glacier skiing is possible for beginners, but it is not the easiest place to learn. The terrain is often steeper than a typical nursery slope, the conditions change through the morning, and some resorts have limited beginner-specific infrastructure in summer. If you are set on learning during the summer months, Hintertux and Les 2 Alpes are the strongest options, as both maintain gentler runs and have ski schools operating through the season. For most first-timers, a winter holiday with full resort facilities will be a smoother introduction.

How long is a typical summer ski day?

A summer ski day is significantly shorter than a winter one. Most glacier lifts open between 7:00 and 8:00 and close between 12:00 and 14:30, depending on the resort and conditions. You will usually get around four to five hours of skiing before the snow softens too much. The upside is that the afternoons are free - and with warm weather, long daylight, and good hiking trails, most people find the balance works well.

Thinking about a summer ski trip? Use WeSki’s AI trip planner to find the right glacier resort for your dates and priorities