The Best Places To Ski In Europe In June, July And August

[gatz 6,717]

 

Summer skiing in Austria

 

Stubai Glacier, Austria

Open: 7th May 2018 to mid-June 2018 (Date TBC)

Nearest Airport: Innsbruck Airport

Transfer Time: Transfers from Innsbruck Airport to Stubai take approximately 1 hour.

If you thought spending a full day on the slopes in Europe wasn’t possible past May, you’re wrong. Stubai is Austria’s largest glacier skiing area and has 1,450 hectares of slopes which includes 62kms of groomed runs and 26 lifts. Classed as the ‘spring season’ you’ll be able to enjoy cheaper lift passes and fewer crowds.

Other activities include climbing, enjoying the viewing platform, hiking tours and geocaching.

 

Hintertux, Austria

Open: 12th May 2018 to October 12th 2018 (Summer Season)

Nearest Airport: Innsbruck Airport

Transfer Time: Transfers from Innsbruck Airport to Hintertux take approximately 1 hour 35 minutes.

Remaining 365 days a year, Hintertux is the ultimate destination for a summer ski holiday. Although its known for its challenging, steep terrain, its 22km of runs cater to a range of abilities. Betterpark is perfect for freestylers and features a half-pipe, table-tops, rails and fun boxes.

Other highlights in the resort include Nature’s Ice Palace, a beautiful glacial crevasse with ice stalactites, ice crystals, frozen waterfalls and a glacial lake. You can also do a took of Spannagel Cave, Europe’s highest altitude publicly accessible cave or enjoy the incredible views from the Panorama Terrace.

 

Summer skiing in France

 

Tignes, France

Open: 24th June 2018 – 6th August 2017

Nearest Airport: Geneva Airport

Transfer Time: Transfers from Geneva Airport to Tignes take approximately 2hours 50 minutes

One of the most popular ski resorts in the Alps, Tignes offers a summer skiing until the beginning of August. The 20km of pistes of the Grande Motte Glacier offers a variety of terrain (blue, red and black runs), all accessed by chairlifts and drags. In addition, the Glacier Snowpark is a popular choice for amateurs and pros, featuring a half-pipe, rails, moguls, a hip ramp, quarter-ramps and a rainbow rail.

Other activities to get involved with include the bike park, archery, golf, hiking, climbing, rafting, white water swimming, horse riding and fishing. Visitors can also have fun in Acroland where you can slide, or ride, down a ramp and into Tignes’ Lake.

 

Les Deux Alpes, France

Open: 23rd June 2018 to 26th August 2018

Nearest Airport: Geneva Airport

Transfer Time: Transfers from Geneva Airport to Les Deux Alpes take approximately 3 hours 30 minutes

Guaranteeing natural snow on a glacier sitting at an altitude 3,600 metres, Les 2 Alpes is a great option for summer skiing. Open from 7.30am to 12.30pm during the summer ski season, visitors have the chance to ski one of the largest summer ski areas in Europe. Opening Glacier 3200 – 3600, the summer area features 1 red run, 9 blue runs and 1 green, served by 2 chair lifts, 8 ski tows, 2 gondola lifts, 1 cable car, 2 drag lifts, 1 funicular lift and an elevator. In addition, the Snowpark is open, complete with a superpipe and big air.

Other activities include hiking, mountain biking, climbing and paragliding.

 

Summer skiing in Switzerland

 

Zermatt, Switzerland

Open: 23rd June 2018 – 31st October 2018

Nearest Airport: Milan Malpensa Airport

Transfer Time: Transfers from Milan Malpensa Airport to Zermatt take approximately 2 hours 50 minutes.

Based on the Theodul Glacier, you can still ski, snowboard and freestyle up to midday. Europe’s highest and biggest summer ski resort, visitors can enjoy 21km of pistes in addition to the Summer Snowpark. Guaranteeing snow cover all year, summer skiing in Zermatt attracts international athletes, with over 100 teams from 22 nations using the slopes to train for the winter season.

In addition to skiing, visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, dirt scooter riding, kick biking and mountain carts.

 

Saas Fee, Switzerland

Open: 14th July 2018 – 31st October 2018

Nearest Airport: Geneva Airport

Transfer Time: Transfers from Geneva Airport to Saas Fee take approximately 3 hours.

Sitting at an altitude of 3600m, skiing at Saas Fee is the perfect way to cool down this summer. National and international teams head to the 20km of diverse glacier pistes offered at the resort, in addition to the Freestyle Park. Featuring kickers, rails, boxes and transitions, the park is everything you need to prepare you for the winter season.

Apart from skiing, Saas Fee offers a wide variety of activities including mountain tours, hiking, mountain biking, boccia, volleyball, golf and Nordic walking.

 

[damianos 819]

Επειδή έχω πάει 2 φορές για σκι το καλοκαίρι, θέλω να καταθέσω την εμπειρία μου. Οι ώρες του σκι είναι πολύ λίγες, συνήθως 7.30 μέχρι 11.30. Για το λόγο αυτό θα πρέπει να υπάρχει προγραμματισμός και δυνατότητες αξιοποίησης των πολλών "κενών" ωρών.

Και κάτι ακόμα σημαντικό. Επειδή τα άτομα που προτίθενται να κάνουν σκι το καλοκαίρι είναι πολύ λίγα και συνήθως θα πρέπει "συνυπάρξουν" όλο το 24ωρο, είναι σημαντική η ύπαρξη "καλής χημείας" μεταξύ των, για να μην υπάρξουν "άλλα" προβλήματα. Φυσικά δεν τίθεται θέμα όταν τα άτομα γνωρίζονται καλά μεταξύ τους, όπως συμβαίνει με την πλειοψηφία των μελών του συλλόγου.

[gatz 6,717]

ΚΑΙ Η ΣΥΝΕΧΕΙΑ ΓΙΑ ΛΙΓΟ ΜΑΚΡΥΤΕΡΑ

 

8. WHISTLER BLACKCOMB, British Columbia

Get in an early-morning mountain bike ride then head up to the Horstman Glacier, open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. between mid-June and late July each year for summer skiing. It is a scenic 45-minute ride up to the glacier via three chairlifts, with views of the entire Whistler Valley from the top. The glacier, served by T-bars, requires advanced to expert skiing ability level. Lunch is served at the European-inspired Horstman Hut, perched at the summit of Blackcomb Mountain.

Looking like an endless winter at Whistler / Blackcomb.

Copyright: Mitch Winton / Coast Mountain Photography

9. TIMBERLINE LODGE, Oregon

Located about an hour and a half drive from Portland, Timberline Lodge runs the longest ski season in North America—the Palmer Express high-speed quad lift allows the mountain to operate typically June 1st through Labor Day and many years for weekends into the fall as well. The resort grooms several lanes across Palmer Snowfield located on the south face of Mt. Hood. During the warmer months, Timberline Lodge is primarily used for summer ski racing camps and freestyle camps, but the above-treeline terrain always includes one lane for public use. Freestyle terrain parks are a major draw for Timberline Lodge skiers and riders in the summer months, starting in the Mile Canyon and then moving up to Palmer snowfield in the later summer, recommended for advanced skill level skiers and riders only.

Summer ski resort: Palmer Snowfield, Timberline Lodge, Oregon.

Copyright: Charles Dawley

10. LAS LEÑAS, Argentina

Las Leñas is one of the highest ski resort in Argentina and boasts reliable snow. The mountain's 17,500 hectares (43,000 acres) of pistes (30 runs) are suited to skiers and riders of all levels. Advanced and expert skiers come for the deep off-piste powder. Some of the best powder can be found on the steep bowl and long couloirs accessed from the Marte chairlift. Various ski instruction programs can help you brush up on your skills while the more advanced embark on an adventure into untouched powder with a guide via the Out of Track and Extreme Expedition programs. Three on-mountain restaurants serve refreshments and an array of dishes, French cuisine to stews, salads and various sandwiches.

Summer ski resort: Lifts and slopes of Las Lenas, Argentina.

Copyright: Phil Goth

11. CERRO CATEDRAL, Argentina

Cerro Catedral is one of the biggest ski areas in South America. Its 120 km (75 miles) of runs offer beautiful views of the Nahuel Huapi Lake. The 34 lifts include a modern bubble and six-seater chairlift. The slopes are sprinkled with numerous mountain huts for snacks and refreshments. The mountain offers a multitude of non-skiing activities, including various tours, a snowcat ride, tubing, sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

PowderQuest client Cerro Catedral skis Argentina

Copyright: Maxi Artoni

12. VALLE NEVADO, Chile

Valle Nevado has plenty of sunshine and plenty of snow. The 37 km (24 miles) of runs are served by some of the most modern lifts in South America, including the very first gondola in Chile as part of a 10-year, $150 million Master Development Plan that will eventually create a Mountain Village at the base of the resort. The ski area also has links with neighboring El Colorado and La Parva to make up the Tres Valles of the Andes for a combined 7,000 acres, 40 chairlifts and four base villages.

Sunshine skiing in Valle Nevado, Chile.

13. SKI PORTILLO, Chile

Ski Portillo’s owners have strived to keep it small and intimate. In fact, one of its biggest selling points is that there is no town, no shopping center and no Starbucks. There is just one big yellow hotel, which accommodates 400 people at a time, meaning there are rarely any lift lines and slopes do not suffer from over crowding. Portillo features 1,235 acres of skiable terrain across 14 lifts and 35 trails with long groomed runs accessed by chairs and drags. For advanced/expert skiers who’ll cover the runs in a matter of hours, it’s the freeriding that is the major draw with its abundance of steep off-piste faces. Heli operations are available to take you to even higher elevations and descents. Portillo also has countless hike-to backcountry areas, and the resort's high altitude means skiing back to your ski-in hotel is the norm.

Previous seasons in Portillo have provided memorable photos like this.

Copyright: Portillo

14. CORONET PEAK, New Zealand

Coronet Peak is one of the most popular ski resort on the South Island of New Zealand, in part due to its proximity to Queenstown 20 minutes away. The varied terrain offers something for everyone: beginners and intermediates have wide blue and red runs while more advanced skiers can hit the terrain park or test their stamina on the longest run, the “M-1”, stretching 2.4 km (1.5 miles). The resort is known for its efficient high-speed chairlifts, and night skiing is offered Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. The mountain's Skiwiland - My First Ski School is a fully licensed Early Learning Centre with the NZ Ministry of Education that caters to children 3 months to 5 years old.

Snowboarder taking in the views at Coronet Peak, New Zealand.

Copyright: Adrian Pua

15. TREBLE CONE, New Zealand

Treble Cone, in Lake Wanaka, covers two basins—the Saddle and Home basin. Both provide some of the best freeriding in New Zealand. Fans of steep and challenging terrain claim Treble Cone has some of the best in the country, with close to half the mountain dedicated to advanced terrain. Expert riders can take guided tours out to the Motatapu Chutes. Beginners and intermediates are not left out however with plenty of long, un-crowded runs.

Skiing powder atop Treble Cone, NZ.

Copyright: Treble Cone/Ben Skinner

16. PERISHER, Australia

Perisher in New South Wales is the largest ski area in Australia (and the Southern Hemisphere, for that matter). It is made up of four villages: Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Simiggins Holes and Guthega, all of which are connected and offer varied terrain. It’s about a six-hour drive from Sydney, and you'll find plenty of skiing on seven mountain peaks accessed by 47 lifts, including a high-speed eight-seater. Most of the area is intermediate, but beginners and advanced skiers will also find their spots. Freestyle fans will love the five terrain parks and a super-pipe.

Perisher is Australia's biggest ski resort.

Copyright: Perisher Resort

[gatz 6,717]

Summer Skiing Destinations: Top 7 Ski Resorts For Powder Skiing In The Summer

August powder day in Valle Nevado, Chile. Where will you be skiing this summer?

While most skiers and snowboarders put away their winter gear in ski storage as early as March and start thinking about mountain biking, golf, and barbecue season, diehards start searching for where to ski in the summer.

Options vary from summer ski camps and glacier skiing in Oregon, Whistler, and Switzerland, to deep powder, summer skiing in the Southern Hemisphere. Yes, year round powder skiing and snowboarding is a reality. Curious about where to ski in June, July, August, and September, during the northern hemisphere summer? Read on.

Here are our top 7 summer ski resort destinations in South America for powder skiing and snowboarding from June to September. An overnight flight from North America will have you skiing some killer winter snow, south of the border, just a few hours from your steps off the plane.

Tres Valles, Chile

Tres Valles in Chile, not to be confused with France’s Three Valleys, is the place to go if you’re looking for quick access to powder skiing from North America. With three legendary ski resorts comprising this massive zone of mountains just above downtown Santiago, you’re sure to find some gems worth exploring for your summer skiing holidays.

Valle Nevado, The Largest of the Tres Valles resorts

Less than a 2 hour drive from Santiago airport, Valle Nevado opens up its doors in June to over 7,000 acres of skiable terrain. If you’re lucky, you’ll find yourself skiing well into October. The weather is perfect here with straight sunshine 80% of the time. All this sun doesn’t keep Valle Nevado from drying: the temperature and geological orientation of the ski resort help it maintain deep, fresh powder all season long.

For those experienced in skiing, Valle Nevado is a playground filled with fantastic chutes, bowls, and gullies. It is probably worthwhile hiring skilled guides that can take you to some of the best off-piste skiing in the three valleys. With over 41 on-piste runs, Valle leaves enough exploring to last beyond the season. Read more about Valle Nevado

La Parva, The steepest of the Three Valley’s

Just around the corner from Valle Nevado is a far less crowded resort with runs that surpass 11,000 feet above sea level. La Parva has access to some of the best backcountry skiing in the area… if you’re willing to hike or skin to it. Steep chutes and walls like McConkey’s (named after Shane McConkey, and La Chimenea are said to give chills to even the most experienced riders.

Being home to several freeride championships the area is definitely carved out for creative runs with deep powder bowls, cornices, and gullies. If you’re looking for some speed, La Parva boasts innumerable groomers to catch some fast turns during the North American summer. Discover more on La Parva

El Colorado, The Three Valley’s locals favorite

The most popular resort with the locals, El Colorado is now being recognized by several pros as having the best terrain park in South America. Every year the park flies in a designer and changes up the routine for returning riders each year. El Colorado’s terrain park has over 40 features and a freestyle zone offering up 250 meters for boardercross.

El Colorado’s backcountry is constantly being raved as the best places for expert snowboarding and skiing in the Three Valleys. The most talked about area goes by Santa Teresita and is said to be one of the best zones in the area if you have a guide and a vehicle to get back to the ski resorts base.

Overall, this coned shape summer ski destination has great options from beginners to experts looking to escape the summer heat. Read more about El Colorado

Bluebird skies after a July snowfall in Portillo, Chile

Portillo, Chile

Ski Portillo is constantly being regarded as one of the best ski destinations in the world by several media outlets. The resort is filled with beautiful natural features that put together a playground just steps from the big yellow hotel’s door. Just a short hike from Portillo is some backcountry that pulls out all the hits, including the legendary Super C.

In bounds, The Primavera Run is is drenched in powder where the 200 km skiing speed barrier was first broken! Within the resort, you can also find several fun intermediate to advanced runs like Garganta, Condor, and Roca Jack off one of the 14 lifts operating on the mountain. Portillo also boasts one of the best ski schools in South America. Learn more about Portillo

Nevados de Chillan, Chile

For those in search of the deepest powder in South America, Nevados de Chillan is where you should plan to ski or snowboard this summer. The area receives over 30 of snow every year and is situated on the stunning Volcano Chillan. The snow quality and terrain has brought Ingrid Backstrom and her women’s only ski camp to Chillan as their new base and the resort continues to become more popular every season with powder hounds from around the globe. Not only does the powder cure the summer time blues, but the resort has natural hot springs situated all over.

The best reason to visit is the incredible amount of backcountry and cat ski access there is. Volcano descents and full lines down from the peak of Los Nevados are two features from a huge number of possibilities in the backcountry.

You might see online that Chillan got some not-so-great reviews, and this was because of a shift in ownership. But that is all in the past now, as the new management has been able to open up the majority of the tenure and now works on a ski-in ski-out basis with some nice amenities for those staying on the mountain. More about Nevados de Chillan

One of many epic vistas from the top of Cerro Catedral in Patagonia

Cerro Catedral, Argentina

We all hear about the gorgeous slopes of Patagonia, and this is referred to as THE place to ski in Patagonia. Cerro Catedral is one of the most modern and progressive resorts in South America, and in turn one of the busiest. But fear not, you can always escape the crowds, especially in August-early September.

The area is filled with the huge granite cathedral like spires that inspired its name. A quick hike into the backcountry and you’ll find some spectacular couloirs to ski. A definite spot to find is Refugio Frey. The place is completely filled with dozens of couloirs just waiting to be ridden.

Cerro Catedral is also only a 15-20 minute drive from the social hub of downtown Bariloche. It offers up the ability to party with the locals and get an in on the latest lines and best zones on the mountain over a late night Fernet y Coca. Parties in downtown have been known to go on past 6 a.m. So make sure to get down with all the Argentines and Brazilians before you hit the mountain. Read more about Bariloche’s Cerro Catedral

Las Lenas, Argentina

The terrain found within Las Lenas is mind blowing. And the legendary Marte lift makes it all accessible. Many pros and diehard skiers and riders have said they would give up every other lift in South America for a good day on the Marte. Giving easy access to 48 degree couloirs and incredibly steep bowls makes it one of the best in the world. Combine that with the endless cat skiing options all over the mountain and you’ll have entire seasons worth of exploring to do.

Not a hardcore skier or snowboarder? Las Lenas offers some really nice, long and wide intermediate to advanced groomers to explore on the front side and even off the Marte.

For the night owls, Las Lenas party scene is up there with the best and you can easily find yourself dancing until dawn with beautiful locals and Brazilian tourists. Read on for more on Las Lenas

Viva Las Lenas! The steepest lift accessed terrain in The Andes.

South America has some killer spots that any skill level can appreciate and enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a family friendly resort, a backcountry escape or a terrain park filled with the pros, a Summer spent in South America will be filled with fresh powder, friendly locals, and a chance to make some awesome lines with your amigos.