Summer skiing in Italy: where to ski on the glaciers

Skiing in summer sounds like a contradiction, but in the Italian Alps it is well established. A few glaciers have snow and open lifts from June to September, so you can ski in spring-like temperatures, in full sunshine, with breathtaking views. Here is where and how to do it.

Italy’s skiable glaciers

1. Stelvio Pass (Lombardy and Trentino)

The Stelvio Pass is the main summer ski destination in Italy:

Altitude: 2,758-3,450 m
Season: late May to early November
Slopes: about 20 km of runs on the glacier
Lifts: chairlifts and drag lifts for training

Many national alpine ski teams do their summer training on the Stelvio. The road up, the famous SS38, is one of the most spectacular in Europe, with 48 hairpin bends on the South Tyrol side.

Getting there: 45 minutes from Bormio on the SS38.

2. Cervinia: Plateau Rosa (Aosta Valley)

Cervinia offers summer skiing on the Theodul glacier at Plateau Rosa:

Altitude: 3,480-3,883 m (one of the highest points in Europe you can reach on skis)
Season: June to September
Slopes: about 8 km on the glacier
Border: you ski between Italy and Switzerland (Zermatt)

The view from Plateau Rosa is breathtaking: the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc are all in sight.

Tips: start early (the lifts open at 07:30-08:00), because the sun softens the snow. Conditions are best before 12:00.

3. Val Senales (Trentino-Alto Adige)

The Val Senales glacier is famous as the place where Ötzi, the Iceman, was found:

Altitude: 2,011-3,212 m
Season: September to June (closed in summer)
Slopes: about 10 km
What sets it apart: it opens in autumn (September and October), when every other resort is closed

Val Senales is the best choice for your first turns of the new season, from mid-September.

4. Presena glacier (Trentino)

Near Passo Tonale:

Altitude: 2,585-3,069 m
Season: December to May
What sets it apart: the Presena does not offer real summer skiing, but it uses snow farming (storing snow over the summer) so the lifts can open earlier in autumn

The Presena glacier is covered with geotextile sheets as part of a project to slow down the melting.

What summer skiing is like

The snow

Summer snow is different from winter snow:

Early morning: icy and hard, like a race course
Late morning: it softens, perfect for smooth carving
Afternoon: too soft, and you start to sink. The lifts usually close at 13:00-14:00

Temperatures

On the glaciers in summer, temperatures range between -5°C and +10°C:

Morning: 0°C at glacier level
Midday: up to +8/10°C in full sun
Watch out: the wind can make it feel much colder

What to wear

Dress in layers: mornings are cold, and by midday you can ski in a T-shirt
SPF 50 sun cream: essential. UV at altitude is very strong
Category 4 sunglasses: summer snow reflects a lot of light
Light gloves for the morning

Who skis in summer?

Summer skiing attracts different kinds of skiers.

Athletes and national teams

Italy’s glaciers are the training ground for national alpine ski teams from half of Europe. On the Stelvio and in Cervinia you can watch World Cup racers training.

Keen skiers

For people who cannot wait for winter, summer skiing is a way to keep fit and keep their technique sharp during the break.

Summer visitors

Non-skiers can go up to the glaciers too, for the views, for a hike or just to play in the snow in the middle of summer.

What summer skiing costs

Item	Approximate cost
Day pass	€35-50
Equipment hire	€30-45
Sightseeing ride up (no skiing)	€20-30

Practical tips

Start early: conditions are best between 08:00 and 12:00
Book your ski hire: in summer the hire shops up on the mountain have limited stock
Drive carefully: Alpine roads are demanding
Check before you go: always check online that the lifts are open, as glaciers can close for bad weather or poor snow
Drink plenty: at 3,000 m the air is dry and you dehydrate quickly

For live glacier conditions, see our weather pages and live webcams.