Summer Glacier Skiing is Melting Away
Thursday May 11, 2006
The French resort of Alpe d’Huez, the traditional home of summer glacier skiing, has announced it is suspending this year’s skiing on the Sarenne glacier. The instability of the melting on the glacier promoted the decision, which was vaguely worded to infer that skiing on the glacier may not be reinstated for many years – if ever.
The lift served summer season ran from June into late August, depending on conditions and always attracted a large international crowd of downhill skiers, snowboarders and cross-country skiers. In fact, many cross country racing teams, including the French National team took advantage of the glacial snows. Now a team of environmental scientist will try to implement plans to stabilize the Sarenne.
Alpe d’Huez joins at least four other major European ski resorts that have already cancelled summer glacier skiing. Note that Whistler Blackcomb, in western Canada, has confirmed their summer session on Blackcomb's Horstman Glacier will operate from June 11 – July 31.
Photo © Armin Schroeder
Comments
Just wanted to let you know that Glacier Camps start on June 5 with public skiing and riding on the Glacier. The conditions are fantastic and due to more snow there will be a public half pipe on the glacier as well.
delightful!!! grantspass.aoregon.com
Not all is lost…(yet) as an American instructor teaching in the Alps for over 20 years there are still places to go from about mid June to early September. I take summer clients to the Cervinia, Italy side of the Zermatt Glacier. 5 hours of skiing and lots of things to do in the afternoon. Great food, good hotels and inexpensive at that!
A quick flight into Geneva and a 3 hour drive and your there. Great thing to do if your a beginner - intermediate and want to get ready for the start of the winter season.