Third European Heatwave Impacts Summer Ski Areas, Accelerates Glacier Melt & Sparks Wildfires
17th July 2026
Tignes is forced to close its glacier skiing early with other areas hit. It is the longest heatwave so far this summer but is now easing. NEW
The heatwave has lasted over two weeks with the freezing level at well over 4,000m in the Alps.
It is now easing off and temperatures are set to fall.
Tignes was due to close this Sunday, July 19th, but it closed the slopes on Thursday.
“The Grande Motte glacier will be closed to skiers starting Thursday, July 16th,” said the resort in a statement on Wednesday.
“Due to the current state of the glacier, safety conditions are no longer optimal for skiing.”
The glacier area shared by Zermatt in Switzerland and Cervinia Italy remains open.
As does glacier skiing in Passo Stelvio in Italy.
Hintertux in Austria is also open and has the most terrain open in the northern hemisphere with 15 miles (24kms) of slopes still skiable.
Library image – Hintertux, Austria, in the summer. Image © PlanetSKI
It is sticking to its plan to closing date of July 26th.
“After that, we’ll enjoy the glacier summer to the fullest off the slopes,” said the resort.
Skiing is expected to restart in September 2026 and the ‘Hintertux Park Opening’ is scheduled for early October.
Saas‑Fee in Switzerland opens for the 2026–27 season this Saturday on July 18th, despite the heatwave.
Lifts will be open from 7am to midday.
It plans to remain open until October 31st if conditions allow.
Elsewhere in Europe, Galdhøpiggen summer ski area in Norway still has some skiing on offer.
Many parts of the Alps and the Pyrenees are dry with wildfires breaking out or threatened.
In the France a 22-year-old firefighter died while tackling a wildfire in the Savoie region in the Alps.
In Scotland Cairngorm Mountain has temporarily closed its summer operations due to a nearby wildfire
Glenmore fire. Image c/o Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.
Across Europe 155,569 hectares have burnt so far this summer.
That’s below the 228,098 hectares at the same time last year that was Europe’s worst ever for wildfires; but scientists fear the early start to the fires may see 2026 exceed the 2025 total.
The latest heat wave is also accelerating glacier melt with Europe being the fastest warming continent for the past 30 years.
- European heatwave hit the glaciers in the Alps
- European heatwave hits glaciers hard
- ‘Glacier Loss Day’ in the Alps reached
Researchers monitoring the Rhone Glacier in the Swiss Alps warn that extreme temperatures have accelerated ice loss.
Some areas have lost nearly 1.5m of ice in the past few weeks.
According to scientists the glaciers have lost large amounts of stored water during the recent heatwave raising concerns over the growing impact of climate change.
The early disappearance of snow cover is leaving ancient ice exposed to further melting.
Mont Fort glacier, Verbier. Image © PlanetSKI
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