Jul 30, 2018

Skiing in summer as different summer holiday

Last week, I caught an article on where to ski during the summer on one unnamed site about skiing and winter sports. I sincerely say that the article was interesting, but it was far from all the possibilities. That's why I decided to write a similar article myself, since most of my life changed the beaches for the ski resorts in the summer, so what I can say about this topic.

Let me begin by saying that there is quite a lot of possibilities for summer skiing. In this article, however, I will only deal with the possibilities in Europe, because we will say honestly, I will not recognize the recreational ski that would fly thousands in the summer to the Southern hemisphere :) In Europe you have only two options in the summer: skiing in the glacier or in the hall. First, let's go through the possibilities of glaciers, which are in order of distance from Slovakia.

Hintertux, Austria

This glacier is one of the most popular in our country, and many of you have been here or at least heard of it. It is the only Austrian glacier opened 365 days a year. In the summer, you have 20 km of slopes, mostly for experienced skier. However, less experienced skiers will come to their own. There is also a huge snow park, which has only small jumps and rails in the summer. The Glacier can be reached from Hintertux 3 by cable cars in about 25 minutes. As far as transporting up the glacier, I consider Hintertux one of the best. From my own experience, however, I must say that I do not recommend this glacier in August, because here you will find a minimum snowfall and the weather can change here, say, from minute to minute. I personally experienced here in August also the minus temperature and snow excursion. In recent years, in August, skiing is rather dark on ice, which will definitely spoil the experience of summer skiing plus you will need a lot of edges and a lot of experience ...

1-day skipass: 45 EUR
5-days skipass: 187 EUR (37,4 EUR/day)
Opened slopes: 20 km
Distance from Bratislava: 580 km
Plus: distance, availability of glacier
Minus: less snow

Passo dello Stelvio, Italy

Glacier is located near the border with Switzerland and from Bratislava you can get there by car in about 7.5 hours. There are 12km of slopes and 6 ski lifts available. Glacier is in operation from June 1 to November 4. Various articles mention Stelviu and snow park, but I have to say that I have been here several times and I have never seen the snow park. In summer, national teams from all over the world are trained, tourists are minimal. This is also suitable for downhill slopes, so you do not have much of a skiing space in the ski area because most of the slopes are reserved for training for racers. The slopes are relatively easy, so the beginner is also a skier. Cross-country tracks are also available. What, however, is great, you can choose where you will be staying. The first option is to sleep directly on the glacier at 3100 m. in a relatively old hotel with a great kitchen. You avoid the morning tug in the crowded cabins and you can stand on the ski lift as early as 7am in the morning. However, this option needs to be booked in advance, because there is only one hotel that is usually full occupied. I do not recommend here to stay for more than 5 days. It is a high altitude and your body does not relax at all. Many people even have a problem here to sleep. The second option is downhill at the cabin parking lot. Lower the word below at 2600 m.n. In this variant, however, it is necessary to consider the morning waiting in the row for the cabin, which runs from 7:00. The third option is to sleep down in the valley of the beautiful town of Bormio. I have to say that if you are not a racer who needs the first morning on the ski lift, I recommend this alternative. In Bormio you have a lot of activities and especially a lot of cycling tracks and a 30-degree temperature bonus. In the morning, however, prepare for a 45-minute drive by car by a beautiful way, where you can also feel uncomfortable and another 30 minutes in two cabins. For me it is always necessary to have the Stelvio slip on the bike. However, I note that it is a macaque, for two hours you go hiking uphill and the temperature difference between Bormia and Stelvia is also 30 degrees, but it is worth it. This glacier is my favorite because it is located in the legendary Italian pass that is known to every cyclist and you can choose where you are staying according to planned activities. Italian cuisine is also a big part of me, which is my favorite :)

1-day skipass: 45 EUR
5-days skipass: 188,5 EUR (37,7 EUR/day)
Opened slopes: 12 km
Distance from Bratislava: 730 km
Plus: distance, activities in Bormio, distance from the sea
Minus: less slopes, long waiting in the morning for the cabin

Cervinia, Italy

This ski resort is located directly on the border with Switzerland and is connected to the center of Zermatt. In fact, it's actually the same and the same resort, so you can find more information below at Swiss Zermatt.

Zermatt, Switzerland

If you decide to ski in Switzerland, be prepared to sit in the car 11-12 hours (if you do not travel by air). Here you have 21km of different difficulty tracks and there is not a well-prepared snow park with a U-ramp that I search for the best racers from all over the world. Glacier is in operation from May to November and is located directly on the border with Italy. You can also go to the Italian part of the resort called Cervinia at any time. The entire experience of splendid views of the majestic Mount Matterhorn. Skiing in Switzerland is one of the more expensive, but not the most expensive. It is definitely worth it and let me say that this is the best alternative in the summer. But you have to go deeper into your pocket.

1-day skipass: 84 CHF / 72 EUR
5-days skipass: 284 CHF / 245 EUR (49 EUR/day)
Opened slopes: 21 km
Distance from Bratislava: 1000 km
Plus: variety of slopes, snow park, U-ramp
Minus: distance, prices

Saas Fee, Switzerland

The ski season on the Allalin glacier lasts from mid July to end of October. There are 20 km of paved slopes to which the underground train will be driven. However, the path to the glacier is quite long and takes you an hour of time. There is no crowded snow park with a U-ramp and everything that comes to mind. Saas Fee is known for having a great cross country track in the summer where national teams from all over the world train. However, glacier is very limited by weather. In case of bad weather, the glacier is completely closed and you will not get up. Interesting is the main village / city by not getting here by car. The Swiss people protect the priory and therefore you can find electric trucks only. You can get to the village from the tram stop by train.

1-day skipass: 84 CHF / 72,5 EUR
5-days skipass: 443 CHF / 382 EUR (76,5 EUR/day)
Opened slopes: 20 km
Distance from Bratislava: 1000 km
Plus: variety of slopes, snow park, U-ramp
Minus: distance, prices, hour trip to the glacier, closure of the resort in bad weather

Tignes, France

The summer season on this French glacier lasts from mid-July to September. You can find various ski slopes in the total length of 20 km and there is no snow park. A huge positive thing is that you can reach the glacier in 10 minutes by underground trains. This is the shortest time among all glaciers. Personally, I was only here in winter, so I can not say what are the waiting times on the lifts and cableways. There will also be a fan of cross-country skiing. This glacier is the cheapest of all alternatives at skipass prices. On the other hand, however, prepare for a long journey from Slovakia.

1-day skipass: 25 EUR
5-days skipass: 125 EUR (25 EUR/day)
Opened slopes: 20 km
Distance from Bratislava: 1 200 km
Plus: availability of iceberg, prices, snow park
Minus: distance

Les Deux Alpes, France

The center of the French Alps certainly belongs to the TOP 3 ski resorts in the summer. There are 17 ski lifts and cableways plus a nice snow park with everything you can imagine. There are 2 cable cars to take you to the glacier and the journey takes about 30 minutes. I consider the negation to be the fact that cabins are not in operation all day. The glacier will take you from 7:00 to 8:30 and down until 11th. Most of the slopes are reserved for training for racers, but you still have enough space for recreational skiing. The difficulty of the slopes is so simpler, so Les 2 Alpes is also suitable for beginners. In the afternoon, countless activities in the valley, such as the valley, bicycle, football, tennis, bathing, bobsleigh, rafting etc. In Les 2 Alpes I was the last 2 years ago and I must say it is worth it. I consider the distance from Slovakia to be negative and about 15 hours in the car. That is why I recommend air transport to everyone. If you are a skilful man, you can find accommodation with a full board for a very nice price, and as a bonus you also have a better price for the skipass.

1-day skipass: 40,9 EUR
5-days skipass: 185,9 EUR (37,2 EUR/day)
Opened slopes: 6 slopes
Distance from Bratislava: 1 250 km
Plus: number of slopes, activity
Minus: distance, intermittent operation of glacier cabins

Folgefonna, Norway

This Norwegian Glacier is a 2.5-hour drive from Bergen. It is the only glacier opened in Scandinavia in the summer. You will find only one ski lift and 4 ski slopes. On the other hand, you will not find better conditions in Europe during the summer months. Even in the summer months the resort can write 2m snow. There is a great snow park and cross-country skiing. In the event of higher summer temperatures, the pistes are also used to solder to withstand high summer temperatures. This is not the case anywhere else in the summer. Anyway, the negative is the distance from Slovakia, so you will have to reach for air transport.

1-day skipass: 395 NOK / 41,5 EUR
5-days skipass: 1490 NOK / 156,5 EUR (31,3 EUR/day)
Opened slopes: 3 km
Distance from Bratislava: 2 000 km
Plus: snow conditions, sloping (salt)
Minus: distance, 1 lift

Finally, let's get it down. In summer, you can ski in 5 countries on 7 glaciers. It should be added, however, that summer skiing is only possible in the morning and afternoon hours. After the twelfth, the pure slump is pure, so we'd rather talk about water skiing. Get ready to take a look in the morning. If you asked me which glacier is the best of all, I probably would answer Saas Fee, Stelvio or Les 2 Alpes. I will not allow myself to choose an absolute winner, because I was not in all places. Everyone likes something else. However, if you look at the price, you can choose the Tignes glacier.

Indoor halls

Another skiing option in the summer months is covered with ski halls. Over the last few years, with global warming, there has been enough. I will not write down to each hall, because most of them are all the same. Prepare one ice piste and one lift / cable car. I do not respond to this ski alternative because the artificial snow is mostly in the hall, which is mostly frozen on absolute ice. There is usually a short slope with a very small slope. Some of the halls also have a small snow park, but do not expect anything amazing. Halls are mostly used by slalom racers. Nothing more can be trained here for the short slopes. And do not forget that you have no natural panorama in the hall, you are only closed in a big refrigerator all day :)

I believe this article will be useful for someone and you decide to change summer vacation on the beach for that skiing. I certainly recommend trying it at least once in a lifetime. The feeling of dressing your swimsuit and jumping into the lake is unforgettable. If you know about a resort that is open during the summer and you have not found it here, write me in the comment. I also like to know something new;)

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Tom

*** translated with GOOGLE TRANSLATE