The Best Places to Ski in June, July and August

Think ski holidays are only in winter? Not in Europe! Home to some incredible glacier ski resorts, you can still hit the slopes when the sun is shining. With some of the best summer ski resorts located in Austria, France and Switzerland, we’ve shared the best places you can ski in June, July and August.

Summer skiing in Austria

Stubai Glacier, Austria

Open: 5th May 2024 onwards

Nearest Airport: Innsbruck Airport

Transfer Time: Transfers from Innsbruck Airport to Neustift 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 a wide range of activities in the summer. Whether you visit the viewing platform, family hikes, mountain tour or even skiiing the glacier has alot to offer. 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.

Stubai Glacier Summer — Stubai Glacier in the Summer

Hintertux, Austria

Open: May 2024 to October 2024 (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: June 2024– TBC

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.

© Photo by Gergely Csatari (www.flickr.com/photos/macskapocs/5380633336/)

Les Deux Alpes, France

Open: May 2024 to TBC

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.

© Photo by lucianf (www.flickr.com/photos/lucianf/2422203945/)

Summer skiing in Switzerland

Zermatt, Switzerland

Open: June 2024 – October 2024

Nearest Airport: Geneva Airport

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

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.

© Photo by Kosala Bandara (www.flickr.com/photos/kosalabandara/14844923823/)

Saas Fee, Switzerland

Open: July 2023 – October 2023

Nearest Airport: Geneva Airport

Transfer Time: Transfers from Geneva Airport to Saas Fee take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.

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.

© Photo by Robert J Heath (www.flickr.com/photos/67769979@N06/28822109720/)

We hope this post has inspired you to visit Europe for a summer ski holiday!

If you’re planning to ski in Europe during June, July and August, get an instant quote for your transfer from the airport to the ski resort with Ski-Lifts and book online now!

The Best Places to Cycle in the French Alps

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The Best Places to Cycle in the French Alps

As temperatures increase and the snow melts, thrill seekers look for other ways to get their adrenaline rush in the mountains. Thanks to the millions of people across the globe watch the Tour de France pass through the region each year, the Alps has established itself as one of the greatest cycling locations in the world. We’ve shared some of the best places to cycle in the Alps to help you choose your cycling holiday destination.

When to Cycle in the Alps

Alps Cycling Season

Loved by skiers and cyclists alike, the Alps is a place with two distinct seasons. For half the year, during the winter months, most of the best climbs are covered with snow and ice and the low temperatures don’t make for a pleasant trip.

The cycling season in the Alps generally runs from mid-April to mid-October, although areas above 1,500m, such as the Col du Galibier, are usually open from Mid-May/June to September.

Weather

The Alps is a mountainous region and subject to variable weather, with temperature variations of up to 10C from one day to the next.

Generally, July and August are the driest months, with rainfall occurring in short, heavy afternoon storms.

Whilst June to August offer the highest temperatures, September is one of the best months for cycling in the Alps, with temperatures dropping slightly.

It is also worth noting that weather conditions at the foot of a climb may not be the same at the summit and conditions can rapidly change at any time of year. As a rule, temperatures fall by 6.5C per 1000m increase in altitude, although this difference can be much more dramatic.

Traffic

The Alps are a popular holiday destination, and with this popularity comes the associated traffic.

Traffic is at its peak from mid-July to the end of August, with the roads up to the highest or most famous passes the busiest.

Passing through the region in July each year, the Tour de France brings significant crowds. If you want to avoid this, visit a couple of weeks before or after the race.

Cycling Destinations in the Alps

The dramatic landscape of the Alps might make a spectacular cycling location, but it does cause some difficulty in getting from A to B.

We recommend these destinations as a base within each reach of the best mountain passes:

Annecy

A beautiful town next to a lake, Annecy is the perfect destination for those looking to explore lower or quieter climbs.

Climbs nearby: La Semnoz and Col de la Colombiere.

Getting there: Transfers from Geneva Airport to Annecy take approximately 45 minutes.

Bourg d’Oisans

A small town in the Romanche Valley, Bourg d’Oisans sits at the foot of Alpe d’Huez and is a popular option for cyclists visiting the area.

Climbs nearby: Alpe d’Huez, Col du Glandon, Col de Sarenne, Col du Galibier and Les Duex Alpes.

Getting there: Transfers from Geneva Airport to Bourg D’Oissans take approximately 2 hours 20 minutes.

Morzine

Situated at the foot of the Col du Joux Plane, Morzine is perfect for reaching iconic Tour de France climbs as well as popular mountain biking routes in the Portes du Soleil area.

Climbs nearby: Col du Joux, Col De Ramaz, Cole de la Joux Verte, Avoriaz and Col de la Ramaz.

Getting there: Transfers from Geneva Airport to Morzine take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne

Close to the capital of uphill cycling, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Saint Michel-de-Maurienne is the perfect base for outdoor enthusiasts.

Climbs nearby: Croix de Fer, Galibier, Glandon, Lacets de Montvernier and Madeleine.

Getting there: Transfers from Geneva Airport to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne take approximately 1 hour 55 minutes.

The Best Climbs in the Alps

Alpe d’Huez

With views of over a fifth of France, Alpe d’Huez is one of the most iconic climbs in the French Alps. Featuring 21 hairpins and the famous ‘Dutch Corner’, this climb has featured in the Tour de France 28 times since 1952.

Length: 13.2km

Average gradient: 8.1%

Elevation gain: 1,071m

Lacets de Montvernier

Despite only being 277m high, Lacets de Montvernier is by no means an easy climb. Featuring 18 hairpin bends, this pass was made famous by the 2015 Tour de France when it captivated the world.

Length: 3.4km

Average gradient: 8.5%

Elevation gain: 277m

Col du Galibier

Scalable both the north and the south, Col du Galibier is ranked as hors catégorie (beyond category) by the Tour de France, making this not an option for the faint-hearted.

Length: 18.1km (from Valloire)

Average gradient: 6.9%

Elevation gain: 1,245m

Col de la Madeline

There are two ways to approach Madeline, each providing its own unique challenges. One of the toughest climbs, cyclists are rewarded with stunning views of Le Massif de la Lauziere and Mont Blanc.

South from La Chambre

Length: 19km

Average gradient: 8%

Elevation gain: 1,529m

North from Augueblanche

Length: 28.3km

Average gradient: 5.4%

Elevation gain: 1.540m

Col du Telegraphe

A gateway to the Galibier, Col du Telegraphe is consistent throughout its entire length, letting you find your rhythm in these magnificent surroundings.

Length: 11.8km

Average gradient: 7.8%

Elevation gain: 856m

We hope these incredible places to cycle in the Alps has helped to inspire your next cycling holiday.

If you’re planning a cycling holiday to the Alps, get an instant quote from Ski-Lifts. Ski-Lifts will provide hassle-free and reliable transfers from the airport to your cycling destination. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Chasing the snow – summer skiing in Europe

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Chasing the Snow – Summer Skiing and Glacier Skiing in Europe

Summer skiing. You have to go high (over 2500m at least) but glacier skiing is definitely worth a trip, with resorts offering more and more each year.

You may think that’s it for skiing after the winter season ends and fear the price tags for jet-setting to Australia, New Zealand or South America may be too much to stomach. Fear not, here is a rundown of the places you can catch some snow closer to home this summer!

This sort of holiday – summer skiing – is great if you missed out on the traditional winter season and the beauty of all of these resorts is that you can combine a summer and a winter holiday, with most offering a package price that gives you access to the whole mountain with other terrains for mountain biking and hiking available lower down. It’s a great idea for active holidays or folks that want to mix up their activities between the snow and the lower peaks.

Keep reading >>

So, here are some of the major summer skiing resorts and (estimated) lift opening dates for each year – they can vary based on climate and weather, but over the years we’ve noticed from the last 10 years are covered the date ranges we’ve added here for summer skiing thus far. Take a look start planning your glacier skiing trip!

Tignes Glacier Skiing

End of June/Beginning of July to August each year
There is 20km worth of slopes up on the Grand Motte glacier, they even have a terrain park and around 12 lifts running in the summer, take the funicular train from Val Claret to get access. Or why not try out Acroland on the lake, if you fancy hurtling down a ramp into the icy waters (on your choice of bike, skis or even just your stomach!)

Prices vary between day passes and multiple day passes with bulk savings usually to be made.

Ski-Lifts offer private transfers to Tignes from Geneva & all surrounding airports throughout the summer!

Book Tignes transfers now >>

Hintertux Glacier Skiing

From Mid May through to October
Here you will find 60km of varied pistes, the park is still open with a huge superpipe, plus rails and boxes, plus access to some freeride terrain. Hintertux even offers a tour inside the glacier (Nature Ice Palace) with ice chambers and deeper into the caves with stalagmites and stalactites to see.

Prices vary between day passes and multiple day passes with bulk savings usually to be made.

Reach Hintertux from Innsbruck & other airports with Ski-Lifts this summer!

Book Hintertux transfers now >>

Saas Fee Glacier Skiing

End-of-June to mid-September
It is worth a visit simply for the incredible view to be seen from the top of the revolving restaurant. Saas Fee’s Allalin Glacier may be one of the more expensive summer ski stops but the pistes certainly don’t disappoint, neither will the impressive summer snow conditions at a massive 3,600m. During the summer ski season, you’ll see plenty of ski teams race training as the conditions here are second to none. And for the rest of us – the glacier offers 20km of slopes, suitable for all skier and snowboarder levels.

Prices vary between day passes and multiple day passes with bulk savings usually to be made.

We offer airport transfers all through the summer, that includes to Saas Fee from Sion & other surrounding airports.

Book Saas Fee transfers now >>

Les Deux Alpes Glacier Skiing

June to the beginning of September
Les Deux Alpes also boasts a height 3,600m and the lifts are open from 7 am till 12.30 to ensure the snow conditions are good. They have 17 lifts open made up mainly of drag lifts and a couple of chair lifts. The terrain is more focused on beginner-intermediate levels with mostly blue runs available however their snow park remains open and it is one of the best.

Prices vary between day passes and multiple day passes with bulk savings usually to be made. You can read our guide to summer skiing in Les Deux Alpes too, for more info.

Head over to Les Deux Alpes for summer skiing from Grenoble, Geneva & other surrounding airports.

Book Les Deux Alpes transfers now >>

Stubai Glacier Skiing

Start of May to the start of July
Stubai in Austria is known for glacier skiing. Stubai has a massive 62km of runs open until July, one of which is 10km long! There is a good range of challenging pistes including one black run and the lift prices are also very reasonable considering the slopes are open all day. A little lower down there is also ice grotto and kids playground. It’s a high one – over 3,600km above sea level – but obviously, well worth the trip.

Prices vary between day passes and multiple day passes with bulk savings usually to be made.

Book ski transfers from Innsbruck now >>

Zermatt Glacier Skiing

May – November
Zermatt’s glacier – Theodul – reaches 3,883m with 21km of groomed slopes and plenty to do for freestyle skiers and boarders in the Snowpark -which offers a half pipe, boxes and rails. The view of the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains is worth the trip and it is also a popular place for ski race training.

Prices vary between day passes and multiple day passes with bulk savings usually to be made.

Ski-Lifts provide transfers from Milan Malpensa, Geneva Airport to Zermatt & other surrounding airports to Zermatt throughout the summer.

Book Zermatt airport transfers now >>

Cervinia Glacier Skiing

July to the start of September
Breil Cervinia, on the Plateau Rosa Glacier, reaches 3,480 and offers great conditions for summer skiers. It is one of the biggest summer skiing areas as it also grants access to Zermatt’s pistes. The ‘Indianpark’ (freestyle Snowpark) is also considered one of the best parks in the Alps.

Prices vary between day passes and multiple day passes with bulk savings usually to be made.

Book your transfer from Turin to Cervinia & other surrounding airports throughout the summer with Ski-Lifts!

Book your Cervinia transfer now >>

So, as you can see, Europe has an immense set of glaciers to choose from when it comes to chasing the snow for summer skiing.

Get yourself out to the Alps this summer where you can ride the pistes or park in the mornings, before enjoying an afternoon of alpine activities (and there is a lot to offer, just check out our previous blog entries and summer pages to see how much you can do!).

And of course, Ski-Lifts are here to get you to any of these places with our transfers throughout the summer.

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