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Summer in the Mountains

Mont Blanc Shrinks by More Than Two Metres in Two Years

The tallest mountain in western Europe has been measured at 4,805.59m – that’s 2.22m shorter than in 2021. NEW

PlanetSKI Stays in 14th Century French Chateau in Alps

We’ve stayed in some varied and interesting places in our travels around the Alps. But never a genuine French chateau. Check out the Le Chateau de Candie in Chambery.

PlanetSKI Seems to Have Turned Into PlanetRUGBY. Again!

We’re on the final week of our month-long tour of France: watching the group stages of the Rugby World Cup. Plus visiting The Alps, Pyrenees & Jura as we look ahead to winter. NEW

PlanetSKI is in the Jura Mountains

We’ve been in the Pyrenees and the Alps on our autumn tour of the mountains, now its time for the Jura.  One of Europe’s little-known and under-appreciated ranges. UPDATED

Body of Missing British Hiker Found in Swiss Alps

Aidan Roche vanished in June. After an extensive search and family involvement his body has been located. NEW

PlanetSKI Turns Into PlanetRUGBY

We’ve been in the Pyrenees, the Alps & the Jura in France as we take in the Rugby World Cup. UPDATED

PlanetSKI Is In the Alps

We’re in Chambery: hiking at altitude, nosing round the ancient town, plus staying in a Chateau. We have a bit of time on our hands between matches in the Rugby World Cup. UPDATED

Three Ex-Rugby Players Scale Monte Rosa in the Alps

The three former Exeter Chiefs players were raising money for LooseHeadz, a mental health charity.

PlanetSKI’s Autumn Trip to the Alps & Pyrenees Continues

We’ve been in the Pyrenees. We’re heading to the Alps and then hopefully it’s the Jura. Plus we’re taking in the Rugby World Cup. Did we mention golf and lilo testing? UPDATED

PlanetSKI Is In The Pyrenees

We’re back in our natural habitat – the mountains. We are in France for 4-weeks (hopefully longer) for the Rugby World Cup. Be rude not to spend the downtime between matches in the Pyrenees & the Alps. UPDATED

PlanetSKI’s Autumn Trip to the Alps & the Pyrenees

We’re always in the mountains for the Winter & ski into Spring. Then we’re back in the Summer. Now we’re in the mountains of France for the Autumn. Plus taking in the Rugby World Cup. UPDATED

Cairngorm Funicular Set to Return

The funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain, near Aviemore, could be back in service before the end of this month. It bodes well for the approaching ski season.

Threat to Italian Glaciers Increases

Climate change means an ‘imminent and irreversible disappearance’ of the glaciers in Italy. Two Italian glaciers remain open for summer skiing.

Canadian Ski Resort Helps Those Affected by Wild Fires

They are some of the worst forest fires in recent memory. Big White in British Columbia has been offering shelter to thousands of people who have had to flee their homes. NEW

Snow Falls in Australia After Some Close Early

Several smaller resorts have closed but finally some snow has been falling. It’s been a generally poor winter in Australia, but an excellent one in New Zealand. And as for South America… Wow! UPDATED

Body of British Climber Missing for 52 Years Identified

His remains were found in Saas-Fee in Switzerland a year ago. It is the latest in a series of discoveries in the Alps as glaciers retreat. NEW

Huge Rockslide in French Alps

700 cubic meters of rocks came crashing down in the Mauriene Valley narrowing missing vehicles on a road below. It was caught on camera.

Cairngorm Funicular Out of Action

Snagging work is being carried out and the railway service has been temporarily suspended. It is the latest blow to operations in the Scottish resort.

More August Snow Falls in the Alps

Heavy snow has been falling at some ski areas in the Alps. It follows summer heatwaves with record-breaking temperatures. Cooler weather is now here as Autumn approaches. UPDATED

Summer in Les 2 Alps: A Sports-Lover’s Dream

There was mountain biking, hiking, running & even some summer skiing. As the official summer season closes this weekend PlanetSKI’s Claire McAteer looks back at her earlier visit. UPDATED

Melting Austrian Glacier Reveals Body of Missing Skier

It is the latest finding as the alpine glaciers retreat at an alarming rate as climate change impacts.

Final Preparations for Winter Games NZ

 The 2023 edition of the Winter Games NZ kicks off on Friday with the Opening Ceremony held in Wānaka. NEW

Another Major Heatwave Hits the Alps

Temperatures have risen sharply with the freezing level now at a record-breaking 5,298m. It is having a devastating impact on the glaciers with fears of rockfalls. UPDATED

Canada Wildfires Impact Ski Areas

400 wildfires are raging in the province of British Columbia, home to many of the main ski areas. Neighbouring Alberta is also affected by fires and drifting smoke. UPDATED

Three Injured in Chairlift Accident in Australian Resort of Thredbo

Three snowboarders were injured after a chair fell from the Kosciuszko lift at Thredbo. An unusually strong gust of wind is thought to be to blame. UPDATED

Bumper Snow in New Zealand Continues

Ski resorts on the North & South Islands have been hit, and there’s more snow in the forecast. UPDATED

Family Hunt for Missing British Hiker in Swiss Alps

29-year old Aidan Roche was last seen in the Grindelwald area. An extensive search has failed to find any trace of him.

Two Hikers in Separate Groups Die in Mt Blanc Rockfall

A Dutch and a French hiker were hit while ascending the Aiguilles du Tour on Mont Blanc. Climate change is making the mountains more unstable.

More Snow Falls in New Zealand

It had been a poor ski season for snow, but now it has been falling heavily. Skiers and snowboarders are celebrating after a poor start to winter. UPDATED

Melting Swiss Glacier Reveals Human Remains

It is the latest discovery as climate change leads to glaciers melting & revealing their secrets. This time it’s the discovery of German climber missing since 1986. UPDATED

European Heatwave Impacts the Alps & Pyrenees

The high temperatures are taking their toll on the glaciers with record-breaking summer temperatures in parts of the mountains. Some people are heading to the hills to keep cool. UPDATED

Skiing at Mammoth Mountain Finally Ends

The resort in California shut its slopes on Sunday 6th August. Only twice in the resort’s 69-year history has there been enough snow to offer skiing into August. UPDATED

Cool Off in Austria this Summer

As a land-locked country, Austria might not be the most obvious choice for a beach or watersports holiday. Not so.

Deadly Summer Avalanches in California

For the past 13 years the US state has seen no deadly avalanches in the summer months. So far this summer there have been two fatalities.

PlanetSKI Visits Innsbruck in the Summer

It’s the final stop on our summer tour of the Tirol where we’ve been enjoying some of our favourite winter places, in the summer months. Check out our photo gallery from the capital of the Tirol.

Australia Sees More Heavy Snow

The latest snowstorm to hit the ski resorts is the biggest so far.  It’s not so good in neighbouring New Zealand with resorts in South America now opening. UPDATED

Skiing in the USA on 4th July

Hundreds turned out to hit the slopes of two resorts in California over US Independence Day celebrations. 

PlanetSKI Goes Hiking & E-Mountain Biking in the Tirol

We’re continuing our summer Tour of the Tirol in St Johann. We’ve been E-mountain biking & now we’re hiking. Summer in the Alps…UPDATED

PlanetSKI Goes Summer Skiing on a Glacier + Exploring 30m Deep Inside It

We’re making a few turns on the Hintertux glacier that’s open year round if conditions allow. We’re also going 30m inside the glacier exploring its caves & tunnels. It’s all part of our summer tour in the Tirol.

PlanetSKI Visits the Tirol in the Summer

We’re here for a spot of summer glacier skiing. Plus a whole load more – e-biking, walking, visiting underground glacier lakes, mountain karting, hiking the Hahnenkamm & a city break in Innsbruck. Read on to see what awaits us in the Tirol… UPDATED

Winter Finally Starts in Australia but it’s Not So Good in New Zealand

It’s been a poor start to the season with some resorts unable to open. Those that did had precious little skiing on offer. Now snow is falling in Australia with more in the forecast. UPDATED

Huge Rock Avalanche Hits Evacuated Swiss Village

Millions of cubic metres of rock have fallen. Some boulders landed just meters from buildings in Brienz but there was no extensive damage. The threat of further falls remains with villagers still not allowed home.

Mountain Summit Collapses in Austria

100,000 cubic metres of rock from the Fluchthorn mountain in the Tirol crashed down the mountain this week. Climate change seems to be to blame. NEW

Swiss Set to Vote On New Climate Law

A referendum takes place this Sunday on whether to pursue zero carbon. With glaciers melting and the ski season threatened it is expected the country will go for being carbon neutral. NEW

Snow Finally Falls in Australia

Resorts opened last weekend, the King’s Weekend, with some only offering magic carpets and beginner slopes. Others didn’t run any lifts at all. Now things are changing. NEW & UPDATED

Chamonix in the Summer

Chamonix has a real buzz in the summer and a completely different vibe than winter. You even see the occasional skier crossing the square returning from a high-altitude adventure.

Ski Season Underway in Australia & New Zealand

There is precious little snow in Australia as the season starts, with some resorts only able to open a few runs. Others can open none at all. It is looking better in New Zealand. NEW

Cairngorm Funicular to Close Every Tuesday for 8 Weeks

The funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain will be closed on Tuesdays during the remainder of June and July while a series of ‘minor works’ is completed.

PlanetSKI turns into PlanetBOAT. Again.

Readers with a long memory will recall that in 2021 PlanetSKI didn’t get to the mountains due to Covid-19 restrictions. So, we did a few other outdoor activities in the UK including a 4-day boat trip on the Thames.  We’ve just been back for more.

The Southern Hemisphere’s Snowiest Ski Resorts

In the run up to the 2023 Southern Hemisphere winter, new data analysis has unveiled which ski resorts receive the most snowfall, based on historical data trends. UPDATED

Avalanche Damage in Utah Canyon Revealed as Snow Melts

Little Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City  was hit hard by Utah’s record-setting 2022-2023 winter season. It has left behind smashed trees and destroyed buildings with a changed landscape.

Four Dead in Boating Accident in Italian Alps

Two Italian intelligence agents and a retired Israeli security forces member were among four victims of a boating disaster. The 50-year-old Russian wife of the boat’s captain was the fourth victim.

Finishing Touches to Cairngorm Funicular

Workers from Balfour Beatty are returning to Cairngorm Mountain this week to carry out final work on the funicular reinstatement project.

More US Ski Areas Close but Some Remain Open

Six resorts are currently open with some planning to offer skiing into July and even August. UPDATED

Hope for Two New Zealand Resorts Threatened with Closure

Whakapapa and Turoa ski resorts went into voluntary administration last season with debts of $45m. It seems that rescue deals are near to completion.

Further Snow Falls in Australia as the Season Approaches

There has been some snow and the cannons have been fired up as resorts plan to open early in June. Check out the latest from Down Under. UPDATED

Tirol in the Summer

There’s hiking, biking, climbing, cultural activities, relaxing and much more. With something for families, adrenaline junkies and everyone in between. See what’s on offer in the summer in one of PlanetSKI’s favourite winter playgrounds.

What Does PlanetSKI Do In The Summer?

It is the question we are asked often at this time of year. We’re up to quite a few things – some to do with mountains, some not.

Running Over the Alps

Regular PlanetSKI reader and Snow Camp manager, Dan Keeley, is running 86-miles over the St Bernard Pass in three days. It is just part of his 1,100-mile run from London to Rome that is now underway. UPDATED

Ski Resorts Around Queenstown in New Zealand Claim Bumper Winter

It has been a tale of two islands in New Zealand this winter. The South Island has claimed a record winter, but it has been somewhat different on the North Island. NEW

Snow report

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