Norway’s Galdhøpiggen Suspends Operations Until Mid-September

• Only Three Alpine Glaciers Remain Open for Outdoor Skiing Worldwide
• Zermatt, Saas-Fee and Stelvio Hold Steady as Summer Heat Persists
• Timberline Closes, Ending North America’s 2024–25 Ski Season
• US Resorts Look Ahead to November With Hopes for Weak La Niña

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE INTRO

We’re down to just three centres offering outdoor lift-served skiing in the Northern Hemisphere this week — all in Europe’s Alps, the lowest number of 2025 so far. The last centre in North America ended its season on Sunday, leaving Europe as the only continent where you can still ride a lift and ski a snowy slope outdoors (though you can still ski indoors in New Jersey, USA, and at dozens of locations in Asia). The three European options are in the Italian and Swiss Alps. As expected for mid-August, conditions are more about snowpacks surviving the summer heat than fresh snowfall. Meanwhile, Scandinavia’s only remaining centre, in Norway, has announced it will close for a month until the season begins to turn again in late September.

ALPS REPORT

With Austria’s formerly year-round Hintertux glacier ski area still closed through August, the Alpine choice remains three glacier centres: Switzerland’s Zermatt (0/120cm / 0/48") and Saas-Fee (0/200cm / 0/80"), and Italy’s Passo Stelvio (0/80cm / 0/32"). Snow depths and terrain openings remain unchanged, with around 14km (9 miles) of slopes open at each Swiss area and about 7km (4 miles) in Italy. Temperatures were warmer this past week than the one before, with the freezing level rising to 3,500–4,500m. That meant showers late last week fell as light rain rather than snow at most levels. In recent days, however, conditions have turned a little colder and more unsettled, raising hopes for some fresh glacier snow.

ALPS FORECAST

More sunshine is expected, along with some precipitation. With the freezing point above 4,000m, rain or sleet is more likely than snow at most levels, though glacier areas may still see occasional snowfall, particularly toward the weekend, with 5–10cm (2–4") possible.

SCANDINAVIA REPORT

After light rain showers late last week, Scandinavia’s last open glacier ski area, Galdhøpiggen (0/40cm / 0/16"), enjoyed mostly dry and sunny conditions. Skiing remained possible, though variable, with occasional rain at lower elevations. On Monday, the centre announced it would suspend ski operations until September 19th, by which time more autumnal conditions are expected. Overnight lows on the region’s highest slopes have still been dipping 1–5°C below freezing, but daytime highs have reached +10°C or more. Snow depths, which had held up well with occasional top-ups earlier in summer, have now dropped to their lowest level of 2025 so far.

SCANDINAVIA FORECAST

Cooler temperatures should bring light snowfall midweek at Galdhøpiggen, with up to 7cm (3”) forecast by Friday. Temperatures will range from 0°C to 10°C, with freezing levels around 1,900–2,200m.

USA REPORT

The 2024–25 lift-served ski season in the U.S. finally ended last weekend when Timberline Lodge on Oregon’s Mt. Hood, the nation’s last open area after a nine-month season, closed. Its Palmer Snowfield was reduced to about a foot of snow and roughly a mile of skiable slope. Ironically, cooler weather and rain showers arrived just as the season closed, with even a few snowflakes rumored at higher elevations. For now, the only organized outdoor snowsports in North America are at Copper Mountain, Colorado, where a hike-to terrain park remains open. The park is available to the public Fridays–Sundays and reserved for Woodward camp programs Mondays–Thursdays. Meanwhile, attention is shifting to the 2025–26 season. Resorts such as Arizona Snowbowl — which stayed open into June for the first time this year — and Utah’s highest slopes have already announced November opening dates, just three months away. Ski media are also revising their winter outlooks: while many expected neutral El Niño/La Niña conditions, hope is now growing for a weak La Niña, which could bring snowier conditions. The Farmer’s Almanac is also predicting colder-than-average weather and snowier conditions in central and eastern North America, with warmer-than-average conditions in the west — forecasts that have excited many northeastern resorts. Elsewhere, wildfire season continues to threaten ski regions, with Idaho’s Tamarack Resort currently near an active blaze.

USA FORECAST

Warm and mostly dry weather continues across Colorado’s high country, with daytime highs of 77–86°F and lows of 35–43°F. No significant snowfall is expected, though isolated mountain showers are possible.