American Ski Critic Takes On Summer Skiing on Europe’s Highest Glacier
For most skiers in the Northern Hemisphere, June marks the absolute end of the season. But high above the Alps, the Matterhorn Glacier near Zermatt, Switzerland, offers one of the few opportunities in the world to ski while much of Europe enjoys warm summer weather.
PeakRankings documented a multi day visit to Zermatt, highlighting what it’s actually like to visit the famous glacier during the summer. They explore the glacier skiing experience that they say is unlike a traditional winter vacation, combining skiing with hiking, alpine lakes, scenic railways, and iconic mountain scenery.
PeakRankings traveled to Zermatt by train from Geneva before settling into accommodations along the Gornergrat Railway. With the Matterhorn towering above the village, the mountain town served as a base for both skiing and exploring one of the most famous destinations in the Alps.
Skiing Above 12000 Feet
Reaching the glacier seems to be an adventure on its own. Through multiple gondola rides visitors climb from roughly 5300 feet in Zermatt to more than 12000 feet on the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. The elevation gain quickly transforms a warm summer morning into a true alpine environment where snow still blankets the slopes. Despite being June, dozens of ski runs remained open with snowmaking infrastructure supplementing natural snow in some areas. The skiing even crosses the international border between Switzerland and Italy, allowing skiers to move between countries during a single run before returning by lift.
Summer Conditions Create A Different Kind Of Ski Day
The biggest lesson from the trip seems to be that summer glacier skiing requires significantly different expectations than a midwinter vacation. Temperatures climb rapidly throughout the morning, softening the snow into slushy conditions by late morning or early afternoon. Because of that, the resort shifts its operating schedule during peak summer, opening lifts as early as 6:30am before closing around noon to preserve snow quality.
Even with the softer conditions, PeakRankings described the skiing as surprisingly enjoyable. Terrain parks, scenic viewpoints, and the novelty of skiing in shorts helped make the experience memorable.
More Than Just A Ski Resort
When unusually warm weather temporarily forced the glacier to close, the trip easily shifted toward other outdoor activities. The group spent time hiking Zermatt’s Edelweiss Trail, visiting waterfalls, exploring historic mountain infrastructure, riding the underground funicular to the alpine lake at Leisee, and touring the Glacier Palace Ice Cave carved beneath the glacier.
According to PeakRankings, that combination of skiing and classic summer mountain recreation is what makes Zermatt stand apart from nearly every other ski destination.
Glacier skiing comes with limited terrain, short operating hours, changing snow conditions, and significant altitude. Still, for travelers looking to combine skiing with hiking, sightseeing, and alpine culture during the height of summer, they conclude that the Matterhorn Glacier delivers one of the most distinctive mountain experiences available anywhere in the world.
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