Summer Skiing in Europe

With the impact of Coronavirus across Europe three months of the winter ski season has been lost leaving many disappointed with their annual ski trip being cancelled.

Have you considered skiing for your summer holiday?

Lee has been researching three of the best summer alpine resorts across Europe, perfect for that ski or boarding fix with the added benefit of summer activities and great cities to visit.

Austria – Hintertux

Just under 2 hours from Innsbruck the Hintertux is situated in the picturesque Tyrol region. It is one of the few European glaciers open 365 days a year and includes an impressive 14 miles of runs and 9 lifts.

Suitable for all abilities but for advance skiers you have particularly challenging terrain and a good scattering of black slopes. Learning to ski in Hintertux is also popular in the summer with the world-renowned Austrian Ski Schools operating under the summer sun.

It is a boarder’s paradise with half pipe, tabletops, rails and a great selection of jumps within the Betterpark area. You can also try your hand (or rear…) at tubing and tobogganing within the dedicated areas for all ages.

Skier, boarder or just in it for the scenery the bus service covering Hintertux is excellent and you must visit the Ice Palace (Google it, it’s amazing!)

You could also visit Salzburg, Vienna and Munich to make the most of your break.

Where to stay? You could stay in the small village of Hintertux or the larger resort of Mayrhofen where you have a great selection of hotels, from pensions to luxury plus great facilities in the town.

France – Les Deux Alpes

The Mont-de-lans glacier is open June to September with a funicular railway transporting skiers to the 8 mixed ability runs.

What really sets Les Deux Alpes apart is the snowskate zone. Famous for its slopestyle (Big Air, kickers, rails, tables – with accompanying music and photography) it also boasts some of the largest half pipes in Europe plus smaller pipes for those a little less daring.

Skiing may be a little limited compared to it’s Austrian and Swiss neighbours but has plenty to keep you occupied off the slopes with outdoor swimming pools, tennis, mountain walks, snow-shoeing, mountain biking, golf and a huge track if sliding down a mountain at speeds in excess of 40mph on a tray is your thing…

What Les Deux Alpes is lacking in runs it make up for in non-ski activities to make the perfect holiday for all.

Grenoble and Lyon are your closest airports or you could consider Eurostar from London, TGV Paris to Grenoble and then pick up a car.

Where to stay? A huge variety of accommodation from chalets to self-catering apartments to luxury hotels

Switzerland – Zermatt

Flying into Geneva or Zurich the 3+ hour transfer to Zermatt is well worth the while. It has an impressive 16 miles of skiing on the Theodul Glacier accessed by the Klein Matterhorn Cable Car.

With the largest and highest altitude summer skiing in Europe it attracts all levels of skier and boarder from across well including a good scattering of ‘A’ list celebrities. Long alpine tree lined runes, nursery slopes, children’s areas, freestyle zones and staggering scenery makes Zermatt a little pricier but for a few nights combined with a larger Swiss holiday is perfect.

Accommodation ranges from quaint Swiss chalets to world-leading hotels hosting Michelin starred restaurants. Do not panic if you are travelling on a budget, you can also pick up great value self-catering apartments in the village.

Whilst on the mountain pop over to Italy for lunch, Cervinia is a gentle ski away.

Not only do you have the mountains but you also have the Five Lakes, Rhone Valley, UNESCO Heritage Sites and the world famous Glacier Express Railway.

Contact Deben Travel for more information

[email protected]

01394 615620

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