If you’d like to go skiing in a beautiful, natural environment, then you don’t need to wait for winter – strictly speaking. The Alps are home to a number of stunning glaciers, many of which are skiable at just about every time of the year.
Austria’s Year-Round Glacier Ski Resorts
If you’re planning a ski holiday in Austria, even during summer, then the Hintertux Glacier might be the best option. This is the only ski resort in the country that’s actually open throughout the year. As such, it doesn’t matter if you’re visiting during summer – you’ll be able to take a break to enjoy some time on the slope.
Seasonal Skiing in Other Austrian Glaciers
While Hintertux is unique, there are other glaciers in Austria that you can ski on well beyond the normal skiing season. These include Stubai and Sölden. The former is typically open between October and June, while the latter closes a little bit earlier, in May.
Climate Challenges and Adaptation Strategies
Of course, glaciers are highly dependent on the climate. Consistent rises in global temperatures have led to a decline in the skiable area on them, which in many cases has led to a decline in operations. One study estimated that, in certain resorts, this decline has been more than sixty percent. While it’s unlikely that climate change will derail your summer ski holiday in the near future, it’s worth keeping an eye on the resorts you’re considering, and establishing that the glacier is actually viable before you make the trip. This will allow you to avoid disappointment!
Accommodation and Accessibility
Naturally, getting the most from your skiing break means being able to easily get around the resort. In Hintertux, the best option for the near future is sure to be the planned Tuxer Fernerhaus Gondala lift. Complete with heated seats, it’s set for construction in 2026, and it will ascend around 578 metres over around seven minutes and twenty seconds.
You’ll also need to think about your accommodation. The quality of your experience will tend to depend on whether you can easily reach the lifts from your lodgings. When it comes to glacier skiing, getting straight from your front door to the slope is rarely an option. However, if you intend to visit during the main ski season, this may add an additional layer of convenience that ultimately makes your holiday much more enjoyable.
