May 12, 2025
Even the diehards have to accept that winter in the Alps is drawing to a close. Skiing is now confined to the highest glacial slopes, and the resorts are transitioning to their summer programmes.
The last turns of the winter
The Stubai Glacier, south of Innsbruck had a cold and wet time last week with 30-40cm of snow falling. Powder isn’t unusual outside of the winter months, and so it was that the start of May delivered some fresh snow.
Another world
With most regular ski resorts closed and flowers blossoming in the valleys, it is always strange to experience the glacier skiing areas in early summer. The contrasts are marked, and from the middle station up, it would be easy to think that it was mid-winter, with busy slopes and snow all around.
Where’s left to ski
Zermatt and Cervinia offer summer skiing beneath the Matterhorn, on the highest slopes in the Alps, for those looking for some turns in the summer months. The Hintertux Glacier is Austria’s year-round ski area, with skiing 365 days a year and the chance to stay in the fantastic corporate ski resort of Mayrhofen.
September is the next main event, with many of the glacier skiing areas opening as soon as the snow arrives.
