Galdhøpiggen Holds Out as Scandinavia’s Last Ski Zone Standing

• Saas Fee Kicks Off 2025–26 Season With Fresh Glacier Turns
• Canadian Rockies Tease Winter With Surprise June Snowfall
• Final Weekend at Tignes—Alps’ Glacier Season Shrinks Again
• Timberline and Copper Keep U.S. Summer Skiing Alive

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE INTRO

We’re nearly back up to eight ski areas currently open in the Northern Hemisphere, with a sixth European option—Switzerland’s Saas Fee—opening to start its 2025 summer ski season this weekend. As it continues to offer glacier skiing through the autumn/fall and then morphs into its winter season, this could be considered the first ski area (that had closed at the end of last winter, unlike the few that operate year-round) to start the 2025–26 ski season! With Tignes due to close this weekend, though, it’ll be just two days before we’re back to seven! For now, though, Saas Fee joins four other glacier areas open in the Alps—in Austria, France, Italy, and Switzerland. Further north in Norway, there's also one Scandinavian glacier area currently open. In North America, there was fresh snowfall in the Canadian Rockies at the end of last week, with Sunshine near Banff posting pictures of new snow on its Goat's Eye webcam. Lifts won't start spinning for skiers there for another four months, but the Timberline ski area, south of the border on Mt. Hood in Oregon, remains open, as does the summer hike-to park at Copper Mountain in Colorado. Japan’s 2024–25 season ended earlier this month, with the last ski area that had still been operating—Gassan—ending its run for the year.

ALPS REPORT

The Alps are moving deeper into summer, and while conditions have remained mostly dry and sunny this past week, a fresh front brought light snowfall to higher elevations, with rain lower down. The freezing level has generally hovered between 3,200 and 4,200 metres. Summer skiing options are now narrowing. In France, Tignes (0/160cm / 0/64”)—once a year-round glacier ski centre—is wrapping up its significantly shortened summer season. Open for only four weeks in 2025, it has seen intermittent closures over the past week due to weather and snow conditions. Its final operational weekend is now approaching. Meanwhile, Switzerland's Saas Fee has just launched its 2025 summer season, which also marks the start of its 2025–26 snow year. Traditionally open for nine consecutive months, it offers increasingly expansive terrain as the season progresses. Nearby Zermatt (0/120cm / 0/48”) is also open for summer skiing, with access to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise—shared with Cervinia on the Italian side of Monte Cervino. Italy’s Passo Stelvio (5/130cm / 2/52”) remains another reliable summer option, and Austria’s Hintertux Glacier (0/60cm / 0.24”) continues to offer year-round skiing, making it the final Alpine choice still consistently open.

ALPS FORECAST

Predominantly dry, sunny conditions with daytime highs around 5–8°C at 3,000m, although still dipping below zero overnight for early-morning freeze/thaw conditions. Freezing levels are climbing back above 3,500m by the weekend.

SCANDINAVIA REPORT

Scandinavia’s sole remaining ski centre—the Galdhøpiggen summer glacier ski area (10/80cm / 4/32”)—is still operating, perched at the region’s highest elevation. Following last week’s snowfall, temperatures have risen above freezing, and most recent precipitation has unfortunately fallen as rain.

SCANDINAVIA FORECAST

Looking ahead, early mornings promise the best conditions, with forecast lows ranging from +2 to +4°C and afternoon highs climbing above +10°C.

USA REPORT

There was fresh snowfall reported in the Canadian Rockies on high slopes at Sunshine near Banff at the end of last week, but it didn’t stick around long. Skiers and boarders can still catch summer turns at Timberline, Oregon’s lone open resort this time of year. Around 3km (2 miles) of slopes remain open in the early morning, served by two operating lifts, with snow depths hovering near 60cm (24”) up at these higher elevations. Expect wet spring-snow conditions, especially in the afternoon, with groomers holding up best early in the day. While significant snowfall isn’t in the forecast, Timberline’s reliable summer operations continue to offer scenic laps and park sessions for those keen to squeeze out a few more runs before their nine-month season finally ends next month. There's hike-to terrain park, with similar conditions reported, at Copper Mountain in Colorado. Public access is from Friday to Sunday inclusive.

USA FORECAST

A settled pattern ahead. Daytime highs will reach the 50s–60s°F, with cooler overnight temperatures between the high 30s to low 50s, helping slow the snowpack thaw for morning sessions. Skies should stay mostly clear with light winds, although there’s a small chance of drizzle or light snow showers at altitude later this month.