Summer Ski News in Brief

Booking Opens for SIGB Snow Test

20th July 2026

The event takes place in Champoluc in Italy January 25-27 2027 as next season’s gear and equipment is put through its paces.

Every year the UK’s snowsport retailers and equipment suppliers, along with winter sport media and industry professionals, get together in the mountains for a week of testing the next season’s snowsport gear.

Testing everything from skis and boots, to outerwear, gloves, goggles and the latest tech.

It’s an important week for the industry to get together in the mountains, catch up and make new connections.

SIGB Snow Test. Images c/o @marcinwphoto and @alexjeynesphotography.

Last winter saw:

• 113 individual testers
• 12 media test organisations
• 25 retailer test groups
• 53 brands
• 614 test skis
• 181 test boots
• 344 other items

See here for a full report on the 2026 event.

Champoluc sits at an altitude of 1,570m and the ski area is linked with Gressoney and Alagna.

It provides access to 180km of pistes between 1,200m and 2,970m, with miles of off piste potential.

Registration links for the SIGB Snow Test 25 – 29 January 2027 in Champoluc

See pricing information here

SIGB Snow Test. Images c/o @marcinwphoto and @alexjeynesphotography.

Heavier Flooding Forecast in the Alps

18th July 2026

For every degree the Earth warms heavy rainfall becomes more intense.

This has an impact on flooding, according to a statement issued by the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, SLF, that is based in Switzerland.

The SLF’s forecasts, based on hourly data from 384 watercourses across the Alpine region, are significantly bleaker than previous ones.

Studies carried out to date had shown that, in the Alps, flood levels could decline, or even remain stable, by the end of the century, due to the reduction in the amount of snow melting in spring.

However, these forecasts are based on daily data that do not take sufficient account of short episodes of heavy rainfall.

When hourly data is taken into account, the results are very different.

“We did not expect such differences compared with the daily data,” says Paul Astagneau, a hydrologist at the SLF.

For every additional degree Celcius, heavy hourly rainfall is around 7% more intense.

Floods will occur more frequently, starting as early as the middle of the century.

Extreme floods, which occur on average once every 100 years, will be five to 15% more intense in the Alps and could occur more frequently, every 45 to 80 years.

Summer in the mountains. Image © PlanetSKI

Fancy Owning a Ski Resort?

17th July 2026

Cherry Peak Resort in Utah is on the market at $22.5m (£16.75m).

Cherry Peak was named Utah’s 14th ski area in 2014 and is owned by John Chadwick who at the age of 67 is ready to retire.

There are 29 runs, three chairlifts, a magic carpet, a terrain park, night skiing, rental and ticket sales.

The resort is 15 minutes from Logan Airport and 90 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport

Cherry Peak piste map. Image c/o Cherry Peak ski resort.

“A rare opportunity to acquire Cherry Peak Resort, a one-of-a-kind Northern Utah mountain offering just outside of Logan, Utah. 174 deeded acres surrounded by public land and overlooking the growth and beauty of Cache Valley,” said  the sale agents, Zillow.

“Resort operations are ongoing and will continue on!

“This offering is not the closure of a resort, only its next chapter…Cherry Peak is positioned for its next chapter.”

Bodies of Missing Climbers Found in Italian Alps

15th July 2026

The bodies of two Romanian climbers who have been missing since last week have been  found in the Gran Paradiso massif in the Italian Alps.

The two climbers died after falling into a crevasse, ANSA reported.

After an extensive search operation their bodies were found on Monday morning at the bottom of a crevasse around 65 feet deep.

In 2025 in Italy, mountain accidents caused 528 deaths.

That’s an increase of 13% compared with the 466 fatalities recorded in 2024, according to the Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS).

Last winter saw a high number of avalanche deaths across Europe.

There were 151 with Italy seeing the highest number at 40.

The annual average of avalanche deaths is around 100.

• More avalanche deaths in Europe

Skiing in Italy. Image © PlanetSKI

New Zealand Glacier Melt Increases

14th July 2026

Last summer New Zealand saw its second-warmest year on record and this accelerated the melting of the country’s glaciers.

The World Meteorological Society’s  State of the Climate report found that the average air temperature for the region in 2025 was 0.37 °C above the 1991-2020 average.

Last year’s marine heatwave, which affected waters around New Zealand, was the most extensive ever recorded in a year without an El Niño event, the organisation said.

“This is a worrisome sign for 2026, with a potentially strong El Niño event now developing.”

New Zealand is home to nearly all of the south-west Pacific’s glaciers and the glacier volume fell by 42%, or nearly half, between 2005 and 2023.

There was a 6.5% decrease between April 2022 and March 2023 alone, the report said.

University of Canterbury associate professor Heather Purdie has monitored glaciers in New Zealand’s mountains for more than 20 years “watching and recording our ice volume shrinking away”.

“We have already lost around 300 glaciers and more will follow,” she said.

Franz Josef glacier, New Zealand. Image © PlanetSKI

Mountaineer Dies Near Zermatt

10th July 2026

A 34-year-old Czech climber has been killed after being struck by rockfall high on the north face of Liskamm.

According to the Valais Cantonal Police, the accident occurred at around 9:00 a.m. on July 7 while two climbers were ascending the north side of the mountain at 4,300m.

The pair were caught in a rockfall and one of the climbers was struck and sustained fatal injuries.

His climbing partner immediately alerted emergency services.

Rescuers from the Kantonale Walliser Rettungsorganisation were flown to the scene aboard an Air Zermatt helicopter but were only able to confirm the climber’s death on arrival.

No further details have been released pending formal identification and notification of family members.

The Valais public prosecutor has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Snow Camp Recognised

9th July 2026

Snow Camp is the highest-ranking charity for apprenticeships in the country for a second year in a row.

Snow Camp has been recognised as one of the Top SME Apprenticeship Employers in the country in the only government-backed ranking led by Higherin.

It’s Top 20 ranking at 16th means it is one of the highest-placed small to medium-sized employers across the country, and the highest-ranking charity.

This recognition is testament to the work for the Snow Camp Programme Team and the Apprentices.

“We’re so proud to be recognised with this award for a second year running given the tireless work that goes on behind the scenes by all the Snow Camp team,” said Snow Camp’s Managing Director, Lara Kinnear.

Laura and the Snow Camp Team. Image © Snow Camp.

“A massive thank you to our Programme Managers and Wellbeing Managers for helping the Apprentices make the most of the opportunities presented to them,” she added.

“Thanks also to our 3 fantastic delivery partners Coach Core, Lifetime Training and SD Consultancy who have all helped us create this long-lasting impact and meaningful careers for Snow Camp young people nationally.”

Snow Camp in action. Image © Snow Camp.

Scottish School Children Introduced to Skiing

8th July 2026

Austria Tourism and Snowsport Scotland are celebrating the success of their First Tracks programme.

It has introduced more than 150 primary school pupils across Scotland to the world of skiing.

Launched to remove financial and accessibility barriers to participation, First Tracks provided fully funded introductory skiing lessons for young people at artificial snow centres across Scotland.

The initiative has enabled children to experience the thrill of skiing for the very first time, while also learning about Austria’s rich alpine culture and world-renowned snowsports heritage.

Among the schools taking part were:

• Riverside Primary School, Glasgow, with lessons delivered at Glasgow Ski & Snowboard Centre
• Galston Primary School, where pupils took part in sessions at Newmilns Snow & Sports Complex
• Kaimhill Primary School, Aberdeenshire, hosted at Aberdeen Snowsports Centre

The programme aimed not only to introduce young people to snowsports but also to inspire confidence, encourage physical activity and create lasting memories through positive first experiences on the slopes.

“We are incredibly proud of what First Tracks has achieved,” said the CEO of Snowsport Scotland, Iain Ramsay-Clapham.

“Thanks to the generous support of Austria Tourism, we have been able to provide opportunities that many children may never otherwise have had access to.

“Seeing the excitement and confidence grow throughout the lessons has been truly inspiring, and we hope this experience marks the beginning of a lifelong connection with snowsports for many of these young people.”

Snowsport Scotland

Alongside their practical lessons, participating pupils were introduced to Austria’s vibrant culture through educational materials highlighting the country’s alpine traditions, food, music and internationally renowned snowsports industry.

“Austria is proud to support First Tracks and help introduce Scottish children to the joy of snowsports,” said Martina Jamnig from Austria Tourism.

“As a country with a deep passion for skiing and snowboarding, we know the positive impact these activities can have on young people.

“It has been wonderful to see so many children take their first turns on Scottish slopes while learning about Austrian culture, and we hope this experience inspires future adventures both on and off the snow.”

First Tracks highlights Snowsport Scotland’s ongoing commitment to growing participation and creating accessible pathways into the sport for young people across the country.

As Scotland’s newest snowsports enthusiasts complete their first runs, First Tracks has successfully laid the foundations for the next generation of skiers and snowboarders to take their first tracks in Austria.

Summer Ski Area is Open in Japan

3rd July 2026

Mt. Gassan Ski Area doesn’t open in the winter months, but it offers some skiing and snowboarding from April through to mid-July.

There are two lifts offering a vertical descent of 170m.

A single ride is 200 yen (90p), or you can get 11 rides for 2000 yen (£9.31)

The official trail map for Mt. Gassan Ski Area. Image: Utoria Group

There is a slight hike from the pair lift to reach the surface lift that only operates if there is enough snow above the pair lift.

It’s a primitive affair.

See more here.

PlanetSKI spent two months in Japan in the 2024/25 ski season.

• Skiing in Japan: What’s it really like?

The PlanetSKI team in Japan. Image © PlanetSKI.

Major French Resorts Set for November Opening

1st July 2026

Tignes & Val d’Isere are usually the first major resorts to open in the French Alps and the date of Saturday 21st of November has been set.

The two resorts traditionally open towards the end of November and they both close on the first weekend in May.

Val d’Isere, which is linked to Tignes, is set to open the following weekend on Saturday 28th November.

Les2Alps is also set to open on 28th November.

PlanetSKI was at the Grande Premiere event in Val Thorens as it opened last season:

• What a start to the sesson in Val Thorens!

The ski resort of Bessans, in the Haute Maurienne, is set to offer cross-country skiing from Saturday October 31st as it opens some of its Nordic trails.

Opening w/end in Val Thorens, Sunday 23rd November 2025. Image © PlanetSKI

Crans-Montana Fire Bar Will Reopen as Youth Memorial Centre

1st July 2026

41 people died in the blaze in Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort in the early hours of January 1^st 2026 during New Year’s Eve celebrations.

17 of the victims were aged 16-years or younger.

“Concerning the future of Le Constellation, it will never be reopened as a bar,” said the president of  Valais canton, Christophe Darbellay, to  Le Temps daily.

“This space must be dedicated to young people.”

The Valais, where Crans-Montana is located, is working on “creating a physical memorial” for the victims of the tragedy.

President Darbellay said it would be “beautiful, peaceful, accessible and will pay a fitting tribute to those who died, were injured, as well as those who provided assistance or care to the victims.”

We reported on the night of the tragedy when 40 people had died.

• 40 people killed in fire at bar in Crans-Montana

A person later died from their injuries.

There will be a commemoration ceremony held in the ski resort on January 1^st 2027.

Related Articles:

• Global ski community pulls together to support Crans-Montana
• Crans-Montana remembers
• National Day of mourning for Crans-Montana fire victims
• Crans-Montana bar not safety checked for five years

Image c/o Crans-Montana.

2026 Winter Olympic Athletes to Receive $10,000

1st July 2026

For the first time every athlete who competes at an Olympic Games will receive a direct payment from the International Olympic Committee of $10,000 (£7,558).

The IOC says it is designed to support athletes in continuing their sporting careers or transitioning into life after competition.

 The initiative is backed by a $140m (£106m) fund for each four-year Olympic cycle and will first benefit athletes who competed at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.

“This grant will be available to every Olympian. Not just medal winners. Not just athletes from certain countries. Every Olympian,” said the IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair, Pau Gasol.

“This is about recognising the journey and the commitment it takes to become an Olympian.”

2,900 athletes competed at Milan-Cortina 2026 and it will cost around $29m (£22m).

Cortina, 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Image © David Pearce/Team TB

Skiing in Canada on July 1st

1st July 2026

Fire Damaged US Resort Updates

1st July 2026

Eagle Point Resort in Utah has published selected photographs of the damage caused by the Cottonwood Fire.

They show that not all the area has been destroyed.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eagle Point Resort (@skieaglepoint)

Here on PlanetSKI we reported on the blaze last week.

• Wildfire in Utah threatens ski resort

“While the fire continues to threaten Eagle Point, these current images symbolize the resilience of the mountain, our team, and this incredible community,” resort officials said in a statement.

“Through the uncertainty, through the unimaginable… we’re still standing.”

A full damage assessment cannot be made until the fire is contained and it is safe for people to return.

Eagle Point is a privately operated ski area that has been operating since the 1970s.

It is owned by Shane Gadbaw who warned last week that there has been “significant property loss” and the area would be closed for a “considerable” amount of time

The cause of the fire is under investigation and is thought have been started by human activity.

Eagle Point piste map. Image c/o Eagle Point.