22nd May 2022
The French resort fires up some lifts on its glacier on Saturday 28th May. It’s the first time the resort has opened so early for summer skiing and snowboarding. So, what is summer glacier skiing like? NEW
Les2Alpes, in the Isere region of the southern French Alps, has Europe’s largest skiable glacier.
The lift company, SATA, has been carrying out some work in the snowpark, which attracts amateurs as well as pro riders over the summer months.
A boardercross has been built for summer training and to host international competitions.
A smaller boardercross has also been built for families, along with a green slope between the boardercross and the snowpark.
Summer glacier skiing in Les2Alpes. Image © PlanetSKI
Les 2 Alpes had an ice cave on the glacier at 3,200 metres.
It has now been moved to 3,400 metres and is next to the skywalk, Le Belvédère des Écrins, and an orienteering table.
Belvédère des Ecrins viewpoint, Les2Alpes, France – photo © PlanetSKI
This area is accessible to skiers and also pedestrians.
It will be the only glacier open for skiing in France at this time and is due to close on August 15th.
Summer skiing in Les2Alpes. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI was last in Les2Alpes in the summer a few years back.
See this report for what summer glacier skiing is like.
Summer glacier skiing in Les2Alpes. Image © PlanetSKI
Our chief reporter, Jane Peel, finished her season in the resort back in April.
Resort level, Les2Alpes, France – photo © PlanetSKI
Elsewhere in Europe Hintertux in the Tirol in Austria and Zermatt in Switzerland are open all year, conditions allowing.
Currently there is still some skiing on offer in Riksgransen in Sweden, plus the glacier areas in Kaunterall and Kitzsteinhorn in Austria.
Riksgransen, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
While over in the USA there is some skiing on offer in four states next weekend with Mammoth Mountain in California going into June.
Skiing in the USA. Image © PlanetSKI.
This article was originally published by Planetski.eu. Read the original article here.
