Hi all,
Relatively inexperienced traveler alert.
Are there any resorts that offer summer skiing in Europe( not necessarily this year) but ones that offer a decent slide in July or August ?
Thanks
Andy
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Landgraaf.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Tignes/Val d'isere, les deux alp, cervinia/zermat to name a few
I wouldn't bother going to a glacier in July or August though
Mrs MA and I have skied both months in Tignes - a lot. Tignes closes in early August these days though...
So, unlike rjs, I would highly recommend it - especially (as a general rule) up to the first 2 weeks of July, when snow cover is usually excellent and extends to below glacier level. There can be 600 metres of vertical available - and we've even been fortunate enough to ski a few inches of powder a few times.
Being on the glacier for 07.30 opening on a clear, summer morning is fantastic. As is putting in fast turns on perfectly groomed, empty runs. What's not to like?
Yes, the snow will soften in the strong sun and you could be skiing soft snow (or mush) by 10.30 but, in my book (obsessive skier! ), there are absolutely no minus points - summer skiing is not to be missed and is so much better than the beach holiday alternative.
If travel is allowed by then, will the glaciers be busier this summer due to pent up demand? I hope to find out.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Having never been to tignes how do you get there? Airport ?
I'm praying I can get somewhere at some point.
Any recommendations for accomodation?
I like slushy spring days as much as anything else so open to suggestions.
Lamdgraaf is an indoor so centre in Holland isn't it?
After all it is free
After all it is free
We did a couple of days of summer ski at L2A as part of our honeymoon (early July) and it was fantastic, would definitely go back. Although the glaciers are not quiet at the best of times in the summer, especially if you're used to skiing outside the main holidays. Lots of ski teams training. Was hoping for a bit of summer ski this year but not sure how feasible it might be and wondering if late season skiing somewhere like Iceland might be more realistic.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
This is how Les 2 alpes looked this July. Most of the glacier is used for racing training, just 2-3 slopes open for general public. t-bar lifts only (the underground train was closed), so 20 mins up, 5 mins down. Prepare for very hard ice in the morning and god bless you you need proper skis with sharp edges and skills to enjoy ice. Then glacier closes about 1pm, and crowd gets to the lift, you could spend 1h queueing, I went for a beer instead In general its ok, I stayed two weeks in l2s, and went to glacier 3 times only, been doing MTB and walking in the Ecrins national park, its was great.
It might not be hard ice first thing, there are times when it doesn't freeze overnight.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@rjs, ive skied Tignes in July. Its great for race training or jibbing. Something to do on a rest day from climbing or MTBing
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@Mother hucker, It isn't great for race training if it doesn't freeze. Had a whole week in LDA in July when that happened.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@rjs, that's true.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
From what I know, because the glacier temperature is always -2 or something, and effect of sun is minimal in the morning, there will be minus or about zero at the surface level even if the outside temp is positive.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Quote:
Having never been to tignes how do you get there? Airport ?
Loads of flights (in normal times) to Geneva (in Switzerland). It's 2.5 - 2.75 hrs drive to Tignes by hire car, with nice sightseeing possibilities en-route at Annecy and at the medieval hilltop city of Conflans, above Albertville.
Alternatively, Tignes can be easily reached by flying into Grenoble, Chambery or Lyon in France - though flights can be a bit limited.
Turin and Milan in Italy are do-able too.
For info: There are loads of summer activities, as well as the skiing, in Tignes.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
you need proper skis with sharp edges and skills to enjoy ice. Then glacier closes about 1pm, and crowd gets to the lift, you could spend 1h queueing, I went for a beer instead 
