All across the Alps, high-mountain glaciers offer guaranteed snow and skiing all year round. Though it may sound treacherous, glacier skiing isn’t just skiing on ice. The ice of the glacier just prevents the snow from melting fast, ensuring non-stop good powder. But skiing on glaciers during the summer and the winter is different to skiing on regular slopes, so with a little preparation you can decide whether it’s right for you.
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The best thing about glaciers, however, is that they offer the chance to ski in spring and summer, as well as opportunities for glacier walking and hiking. Skiing in the summer months is an entirely different experience –it’s warmer, more relaxed and combines the best of both worlds by letting you ski in the mornings before enjoying the sunny mountains in the afternoons.
Summer skiing also ensures that you don’t get too rusty between winter ski holidays – glaciers in the Alps are used by snow sports teams around the world for summer training.
And there’s another good reason for that, says Rob Stanford, manager of Warren Smith Ski Academy, which runs a series of technique courses on the Zermatt Glacier from Cervinia every April and during the summer. While the runs are shorter, and only drag lifts can be used to take account for the movement of ice, they offer short, fast repetition and an excellent opportunity for skiers to tune up their technique.
Tignes
France
Val d'Isère
France
There are a few things to bear in mind though – the first of which is safety. Glaciers, especially as they recede, are home to huge crevasses, many of which are highly dangerous – and scarily visible – during the summer. In autumn, winter and spring they can be hidden by fresh snow but they are still there.
“The ropes at the sides only really appear in Europe on glaciers – if the ropes are there, you don’t go under them. Even just off the side of the piste, there could be a crevasse – it’s simple, but you must obey the rules, no matter how tempting the snow looks”, says Rob.
Because of the high altitude, skiers and hikers must also pay attention to the harsh sun and snow glare, making sure they drink enough water and ensuring they don’t overdo it. Unlike the winter, when you may ski from 3,500m to the base of a ski area, during the summer you will likely ski all day above 3,000m and this will take its toll, so ensure you drink enough, apply an effective sunscreen (at least a SPF50 or total block sunscreen) and apply it regularly (every two hours maximum).
“And take time to acclimatise” adds Rob, “glacier skiing and hiking is physically tiring.”
