Val d'Isère © Miranda Muller
For the first time ever in Val d’Isère’s 82-year history, this popular French ski resort plans to open its winter slopes in the summer! Although the regular ski season ended on May 1, several non-glacier pistes will reopen on June 3rd before the main glacier area opens for the summer. Val d’Isère made the unprecedented decision after the incredible snowfall enjoyed by the French Alps in the 2017/2018 ski season. Val d’Isère received almost 9m of snow this season and current snow conditions at Val d’Isère are still promising, with around 2m of snow at the top of the mountain and about half a metre in the village.
Although Val d'Isère tends to reopen for glacier skiing in June, this is the first time the winter slopes will be available for skiing in summer. Just like in winter, skiers can take the Funival funicular up from La Daille and then ski the red “OK” World Cup piste and the green Verte, on the Marmottes chair. Lift passes will cost just €28 per day, and summer season’s passes will sell for €330.
Schedules are weather-dependent but Val d’Isère expects this area to be open for two weeks, from 7am until midday. At this point the winter slopes will close and skiing at Val d’Isère will move to the Pissailles Glacier, which will be open until July 13th. The weather should have warmed up by this point, allowing the snow-clearing teams to clear the glacier road and the Col de l’Iseran, the highest paved road in Europe, which leads to Italy.
Open winter slopes at Val d'Isère this summer (World Piste slope and La Verte)
It’s unusual for Val d’Isère to have so much skiing on offer in June, and not all the accommodation and transportation options will be available. However, there are still plenty of choices for lodging, and despite the usual shuttle buses having stopped, skiers and snowboarders can book a shared taxi service from the airport.
Val d’Isère ranks among the most snow-sure ski resorts in the Alps and tends to enjoy a long winter season, stretching from November to early May. Together, Val d’Isère and Tignes form what is also known as the Espace Killy, with a combined total of 300km of slopes. There is a lively après-ski scene centred around the infamous mid-mountain La Folie Douce. Tignes also offers summer skiing on the Grande Motte glacier, snow conditions permitting. The Espace Killy is easy to reach from Lyon, Chambéry and Geneva airports, making it a popular destination for British skiers and snowboarders.
Val d'Isère © Miranda Muller
For the first time ever in Val d’Isère’s 82-year history, this popular French ski resort plans to open its winter slopes in the summer! Although the regular ski season ended on May 1, several non-glacier pistes will reopen on June 3rd before the main glacier area opens for the summer. Val d’Isère made the unprecedented decision after the incredible snowfall enjoyed by the French Alps in the 2017/2018 ski season. Val d’Isère received almost 9m of snow this season and current snow conditions at Val d’Isère are still promising, with around 2m of snow at the top of the mountain and about half a metre in the village.
Although Val d'Isère tends to reopen for glacier skiing in June, this is the first time the winter slopes will be available for skiing in summer. Just like in winter, skiers can take the Funival funicular up from La Daille and then ski the red “OK” World Cup piste and the green Verte, on the Marmottes chair. Lift passes will cost just €28 per day, and summer season’s passes will sell for €330.
Schedules are weather-dependent but Val d’Isère expects this area to be open for two weeks, from 7am until midday. At this point the winter slopes will close and skiing at Val d’Isère will move to the Pissailles Glacier, which will be open until July 13th. The weather should have warmed up by this point, allowing the snow-clearing teams to clear the glacier road and the Col de l’Iseran, the highest paved road in Europe, which leads to Italy.
Open winter slopes at Val d'Isère this summer (World Piste slope and La Verte)
It’s unusual for Val d’Isère to have so much skiing on offer in June, and not all the accommodation and transportation options will be available. However, there are still plenty of choices for lodging, and despite the usual shuttle buses having stopped, skiers and snowboarders can book a shared taxi service from the airport.
Val d’Isère ranks among the most snow-sure ski resorts in the Alps and tends to enjoy a long winter season, stretching from November to early May. Together, Val d’Isère and Tignes form what is also known as the Espace Killy, with a combined total of 300km of slopes. There is a lively après-ski scene centred around the infamous mid-mountain La Folie Douce. Tignes also offers summer skiing on the Grande Motte glacier, snow conditions permitting. The Espace Killy is easy to reach from Lyon, Chambéry and Geneva airports, making it a popular destination for British skiers and snowboarders.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
