Some Resorts in Alps Prepare to Open For Summer

13th May 2020

Last modified on May 20th, 2021

As lockdown restrictions are eased and some border controls lifted the ski resorts are preparing for summer. It will though be a very different experience.

The latest resort to announce it will be opening with some summer glacier skiing on offer is Hintertux in the Tirol in Austria

It did so with a video.

https://www.facebook.com/Hintertux.Glacier/videos/655288551868737/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARDcC9jiG2TX7R9pI2FhvuVGODGZpI9vGcmv_d8XnhPyeJVympxri_1tn0GJMgGgNMU8eyhyh3MnSRRF

“On May 29 we plan to reopen lifts, our gastronomy on the mountain and the most popular excursion destinations on the Hintertux Glacier,” said the resort.

“In keeping with the reopening – the glacier is currently at its most beautiful. All passionate winter sports enthusiasts can look forward to 3.4m of snow and, in some cases, the finest powder snow.”

Kiztsteinhorn above Kaprun in Austria is also planning to open as we reported last week.

Summer skiing set to start on Austrian glacier at end of May

Stubai in the Tirol has said it hopes to open in July.

Other resorts in Austria are looking to open with most offering hiking, biking and other mountain activities as long as they comply with social distancing regulations.

Some lifts will be running and all bars, restaurants and hotels will need to comply with social distancing measures.

In Switzerland Zermatt has opened some restaurants and shops with lifts set to run on June 8th.

Most hotels and holiday apartments are also planning to open for the summer season.

Activities such as hiking, biking, mountain climbing, golf, summer skiing and many more will be on offer.

“We are looking forward to welcoming you again in Zermatt,” said a statement from the resort.

This weekend in Chamonix the Aiguille du Midi cable-car and the Montenvers – Mer de Grace Railway open.

In line with government guidelines it will be implementing strict sanitary regulations across all the premises, along with an experimental “Health and safety” welcome system.

It is an indication of what many other summer resorts will be doing as the battle against coronavirus continues.

Thermal camera to check your temperature,
Hydro-Alcoholic solutions available
Masks to be worn during all phases of transport & in the confined waiting areas (please come equipped)
Transport specially adapted (limited numbers, distance between visitors, special circulation measures)
A full ‘Welcome & Safety’ protocol for all visitors and staff
Regular disinfection of lifts, trains & buildings
Full information panels with instructions to be followed before & during the visit

Summer is a fabulous time to be in the mountains, but this year it will not be like normal.

Summer in the mountains. Image © PlanetSKI.

It remains to be seen how social distancing measures will work but it will be interesting to see – not least as a blueprint for how things may look next winter in the ski resorts across Europe.

There are ways in the summer to travel and enjoy the mountains away from the crowds as we have done many times.

Here is the PlanetSKI editor’s preferred mode of summer transport in the Alps – with full social distancing built in.

Summer in the mountains. Image © PlanetSKI.

RELATED ARTICLES ON SUMMER IN THE ALPS

There currently remain border regulations in force across the EU, but it is hoped they will be eased as long as it is safe to do so, as we reported earlier:

EU nations look to lift some border restrictions

In mid-June the EU hopes the borders with Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland will open, but it will all depend on no significant rise in the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our message is we will have a tourist season this summer, even if it’s with security measures and limitations,” said the EU economic affairs commissioner Paolo Gentiloni.

Other resorts that normally offer summer skiing are Tignes and Les2Alpes in France.

Tignes hopes to open its glacier on June 20^th and continue until August 2^nd.

Les2Alpes maintains it will reopen in June.

Italy too will be hoping to offer summer skiing from Cervinia.

Access to the resort of Stelvio Pass in Italy has been gained by the Italian Ski Federation that will be using the area as its summer base for the national team to train.

However for summer tourists from the UK the situation with regard to crossing the european borders and being allowed into the alpine countries is unclear.

If we are then many will question whether it is safe to do so with so many deaths and the virus still very much present.

Then there is the small matter of needing to go into quarantine for 14-days as you arrive back in the UK.

It remains a complex and changing situation and here at PlanetSKI we’ll keep you posted.

If we think it safe to go and if the rules allow we will be heading to the mountains later in the summer. It should be an interesting experience.

And if not we’ll just dream and look forward to next summer.

Keep safe everyone.