Summer Skiing
Posted: 07 September 2005 01:28 PM   [ Ignore ]
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I’d be interested to know what other readers think of summer skiing in Europe - have many of you tried it and where?  I have just got back from a summer break in Switzerland (mainly as a hiking trip) and spent a morning skiing on the Fee glacier (Saas Fee). Walking down the main street carrying skis and boots in August, wearing shorts too, felt very strange - but I had a great time in excellent conditions. However, it’s not cheap and when we got up there most runs were ‘taken over’ by the Internatinal Ski teams and we had to dodge the human torpedos. This confined us to two part-runs until midday when conditions were too soft for the racers and they left. Also, I wouldn’t recommend the Saas Fee for novices - the access is tricky and the t-bars steep. So, it’s probably best as an addition to a general activity holiday, rather than going specifically to ski - but still worth it for a snow-fix / practice before the winter.
I would recommend Zermatt as a good alternative if you are holidaying in the Valais region: the resort now offers a joint summer pass with Saas Fee, so you could enjoy a day or two at both glaciers. For snowboarders, the Saas Fee terrain-park was in great condition.

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Posted: 14 April 2006 08:03 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 1 ]
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Recommend Zermatt, but living in Cervinia which saves money and it is much easier to fly into Milan.
Even in July there was a 700 vertical being oferered.
Otherwise I visit Stubai or Hintertux in May when they still have a vertical of 600. Watch out for when they close. Cervinia has been closed in June for service and repairs.

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Posted: 20 April 2006 08:12 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 2 ]
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Controversial view: enjoy the variety of the seasons, and leave skiing to the winter.
 
But maybe one more way in which the site could complement the book is that it could carry a short summary of the main summer skiing opportunties.

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Posted: 21 April 2006 11:05 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 3 ]
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I think a short summary would be a good idea - along with opening dates (where possible). A number of ski courses are run on the glaciers during the summer (eg Warren Smith) and these seem popular; so worth a mention in some form. 

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Posted: 28 April 2006 04:33 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 4 ]
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I agree with Chris. I’ve been to Zermatt in Summer several times but i’ve only been skiing once.
 
Going walking enables you to enjoy several areas inaccessible by ski or lift and to obtain wonderful views that you can’t see in Winter. Also the skiing is such a pale shadow of its Winter counterpart and it takes an age to access.

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Posted: 29 August 2006 07:48 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 5 ]
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Summer skiing on glaciers is good for summer training and, if you visiting the area on holiday, is an enjoyable novelty; it’s not a substitute for a winter holiday.
 
It will die-out when the Alp’s glaciers have shrunk to nothing so enjoy it while it lasts.

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Posted: 05 July 2007 03:26 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 6 ]
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Les Deux Alpes in France has the largest skiable glacier in Europe and pretty good conditions at the moment (June 07). It is absolutely great for boarders with a massive snow park.
Quite a few national ski team train there. Saw the Japanese last time I was there!
see [url=“http://www.peakretreats.co.uk”>and” class=“forum” target=“_blank”>http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/default.cfm/loadindex.201
and</a> <a > 
Also” class=“forum” target=“_blank”>http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/default.cfm/loadindex.119
 
Also</a> more on Summer Ski more generally on <a > 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
XS
Peak” class=“forum” target=“_blank”>http://www.summerski.co.uk/
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
XS
Peak</a> Retreats <a class=“forum” target=“_blank”]http://www.peakretreats.co.uk[/url]
Ski Collection http://www.skicollection.co.uk

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Posted: 05 July 2007 03:29 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 7 ]
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Sorry did not copy links to Les Deux Alpes Summer Skiing correctly - here they are again
 
<a > 
http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/default.cfm/loadindex.119
” class=“forum” target=“_blank”>http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/default.cfm/loadindex.201
 
http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/default.cfm/loadindex.119
</a>

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Posted: 20 June 2008 10:11 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 8 ]
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This week the glacier opens at Tignes and Val d’isere. Its open from June the 21st till August the 31st. There are over 16 ski-lifts covering over 20 km. We have stayed before at Premiere Neige in St Foy which is 20 minutes away, and offers a variety of summer activities.

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