Summer Glaciar

A snowHead

Hi all = read about a few places zermatt, and some places in Norway. Has anyone been snowboarding anywhere in Europe in June? Was it worth it? I've only just got back and not sure if can wait till next year! But earliest I can go is June due to work Smile

A snowHead

Well I've ridden Zermatt and a couple of places in Norway and one or two other places.
Exactly which are open and when varies so google's your friend there.

Perhaps it's obvious, but most of those places you'll only want to ride in a timeslot between when it softens up in the morning and when it turns to absolute schmoo in the afternoon. Snowboards are better in sloppy conditions, so you have a slightly broader window than skiers, but even so you're going to need to do something else in the afternoons. The Norwegian places (Stryn, somewhere else) were pretty bland with no real interesting slopes and little base infrastructure at that time of year. Somewhere like Zermatt's better as there's more to do when you're not riding the slopes. Back in the day at least Tignes was a better bet that all those as it had at least a few moguls to play on, not sure if that stuff still works now it's warmer.

Overall "summer skiing" is kind of a laugh if you've never done it, but it's probably not something most people will do on a regular basis because novelty aside it's not that great.

I do quite often ride glaciers in Sölden at the end of the season, which is early May rather than early June. At that time conditions vary from 15cms fresh to blue sky and sun, but even when it's warm, it's massively better than "summer skiing" in terms of snow condition and also available terrain. So catching "season's end" is vastly better than early summer ski, in my view.

Unless of course you can afford a helicopter. You can rent a seat in Iceland through mid June, and the snow conditions there are good all day at altitude, less good down at sea level but still ridable, and you have a very long day length which reduces the down-day risk. The terrain is easy (no trees) but steeper than most people will generally encounter. I've been once or twice and experienced a wide range of snow conditions, so if you don't want to pay big bucks for garbage snow, check the local conditions in advance. And don't ask how much the beer costs if you're going to drink it, as it won't help.

Iceland, June 2021

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What a cool shot and excellent response. I love spring/summer skiing; many complain about the mush. I like mush, as well as warmth, good vis, empty slopes, paying less, early start leaves the afternoon open for golf or whatever, skiing next to and listening to the sound of the new slope side streams is wonderful. Yes, go somewhere, even if its the flattish glaciers like Zermatt, its still a gas. Next season, come over here in May and hit Tahoe. I think NA easily wins May vs the Alps, but then we're usually done except for boring Timberline or a snippet of Blackcomb.

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We have done a day at Hintertux on 1st June or end May a couple of times. It’s a bit ok a novelty but they can have up to 20km open I think. Slush by lunch time. I would only do it for more than a day if I was on racing/tech course or wanted to improve my park skills (several years too old for that….). One time we even had some fresh pow!

As @philwig says you download and do biking / pool / river activities in the afternoon.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

ive done Tignes I wouldbt waste my time again. I'd rather ride my MTB and wait till winter

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@Andy_Mac,
New Zealand, Chile, Argentina?

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Tried L2A last summer and there was some runs for a day or two max but the amount of national teams training, mainly teenagers, made the queues ridiculously long and not worth the hassle. The MTB trails did look amazing over there though.

Some people are complimentary about Warren Smith cervinias summer courses, might give it a go this year.

In regards of MTB instead of summer skiing, for me unless you are local to somewhere hilly with decent downhill trails to the ride in the UK, MTB won’t “substitute” skiing, even if it’s a couple of blue short runs, I still would choose skiing every time…

After all it is free

Looking at the current state of the Tignes Glacier I don't think it's going to be in great shape for summer skiing this year. It's been a pretty meagre season for snow so they won't have much to work with over the summer. I wonder if other European glaciers are in a similar state...

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We did a summer trip a few years ago and did a couple of days each at Hintertux, Kaprun and Stubai. By far Hintertux had the best snow and most km open.

More recently we tend just to have single day on a glacier tied into other alpine activities.

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@Bergmeister, i go to the Alps to ride my MTB in the summer. I wouldn't want to waste my time and energy on the T bar drag lift up the grand motte relentlessly skiing the same flat runs when I could be smashing laps on my DH rig.
My love for the mountains runs deep. Winter time I'm circa 40 days skiing, summer time MTB and climbing in various different mountain ranges.
Summer glacier skiing for me just doesn't get me going.
It's a romantic idea but unless you're specifically training towards something(race training/instructor/technique course), I feel it ain't so great

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now your talking of interest touring in Le Fornet. I also ride enduro but wouldn't go to the Alps to pedal up. I think the UK trails (golfie/Innerleithen/glentress)are as good as anywhere in the world when you're earning your turns.

You know it makes sense.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

You might want to look at “Riksgránsen” in Sweden, which is north of the arctic line. It is a long way up there, and there will be daylight for 20 hours a day, but it is quite an experience.

A snowHead

As Bergmeister has alluded to, it's very much a case of each to their own but I hadn't realised that summer skiing is so much of a Marmite-type topic Laughing

I have skied loads of glaciers outside the winter season and love summer skiing.

In my opinion, Tignes is simply the best for easy access in summer, given the early start that's required.

My idea of a perfect summer's day is a 6am alarm on a clear morning; a seven minute trip up the Grande Motte funicular; and skiing deserted, perfectly groomed pistes from the top of the cable car not long after 7am. There's 600m vertical if the Vanoise Chair is running and the black run from the top is steep enough for most people's liking. Even on the hottest day, you can get a decent 3 hours in before the lower runs get too mushy. You've then got the rest of the day to enjoy all the other mountain activities.

We've even skied powder in July.

I can't see what's not to like wink

A snowHead

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Summer Glaciar

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