TL;DR
Tignes reopens its Grande Motte glacier for summer skiing, joining other Alpine resorts offering high-altitude snow sports amidst warm weather challenges.
Alpine Glaciers Open for Summer Skiing Season
Tignes, France, is set to reopen its Grande Motte glacier for summer skiing. The resort will operate from 21 June to 20 July, adding to the list of Alpine ski areas offering summer snow sports. Skiers and riders can access up to 20 kilometres of glacier runs at elevations between 2,724 and 3,456 metres.
The reopening of Tignes brings the total number of accessible glacier ski areas in the Alps to six. Other resorts include Hintertux in Austria, Les 2 Alpes and Val d'Isère in France, Passo Stelvio and Cervinia in Italy, and Zermatt in Switzerland. Val d'Isère's Pisaillas glacier has been open since 8 June and will continue operations until 7 July.
However, the Alps are currently experiencing a significant heatwave, with freezing levels rising above 4,000 metres. This warm weather is affecting glacier conditions and may impact the duration and quality of the summer ski season across the region.
The Grande Motte glacier in Tignes offers more than just downhill skiing. Visitors can also enjoy cross-country trails and glacier hikes. The resort's panoramic terrace provides views of notable peaks including Mont Pourri, Grande Sassière, Grande Casse, and Mont Blanc.In Scandinavia, Norway keeps two glacier ski areas open: Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Area and Stryn Glacier. Sweden's Riksgransen is also reopening for the summer solstice. Meanwhile, ski resorts in the southern hemisphere have begun their winter season with favourable snow conditions.Tignes' summer ski operations run daily until early afternoon. However, all dates and operations are subject to change based on snow and weather conditions. Skiers and riders planning to visit should check the latest updates from the resort before their trip.
