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Summer in the Mountains

Heatwave Takes Its Toll on Mountains of Europe

The current heatwave has accelerated the melting of the glaciers with summer skiing and snowboarding currently badly affected. Some glaciers resorts have closed their slopes, but the mountains are offering some respite from the heat and a wealth of great activities. UPDATED

Further Snow Falls Down Under

The ski seasons in Australia and New Zealand are well underway with a great start to winter and more snow is now falling. UPDATED

Skiing & Snowboarding Underway in South America

The main ski areas in Argentina and Chile are now open for their 2022 season. There have been some decent conditions so far and for some it’s the first time they have been open since 2019 as Covid-19 spread.

Les2Alpes Ends Summer Glacier Skiing as Temperatures Soar

It is the latest resort to end its summer skiing operations.  There are continued high temperatures and a lack of fresh snow after a modest winter for snowfall. It raises questions about how long summer glacier skiing can carry on in alpine resorts. UPDATED

Italy Declares State of Emergency Over Drought

It is the worst drought in 70 years and follows poor levels of winter snow and precious little rain since. The alpine areas are badly affected and it will impact on summer glacier skiing. UPDATED

Final Death Toll in Italian Glacier Collapse Reaches 11

It was feared a 12th person could have been killed, but rescuers now say there is no reason to believe the toll will be higher. A day of mourning has been held. Rising temperatures have been widely blamed for the tragedy. UPDATED

Warnings of Further Glacier Collapses as Climate Change Makes Mountains Unstable

In Switzerland scientists are monitoring the mountain above Kandersteg which is moving several meters a year. A new crack has been spotted on the Marmolada glacier in Italy that partially collapsed killing 11 people earlier this month. UPDATED

Winter Games NZ is Back

After two years of disruption due to the pandemic the southern hemisphere’s biggest snowsports event takes place August 27th to September 18th.

Six People Die After Collapse of Italian Glacier

The accident happened in the Dolomites in northern Italy.  The collapse triggered an avalanche of rocks, snow and ice that hit a number of hikers. Eight other people were injured, two are reported to be in a serious condition. It’s feared the death toll could rise as the search operation resumes. UPDATED

What Does PlanetSKI Do In The Summer? Part Two…

It’s the question we are asked most at this time of year. We’re currently hiking the South Downs Way in preparation for walking at altitude in the Alps later this summer. We’ve now done more than half the route, Eastbourne to Amberley. UPDATED

Skiing & Snowboarding Re-Start in Sunshine Village for Canada Day

Some slopes are now open and they will hopefully stay open to Sunday July 3rd. Friday July 1st is Canada Day. The resort hasn’t opened at this time of year for over three decades. UPDATED

State of Emergency Set to be Declared in Italian Alps as Drought Worsens

There has been no rain for almost 4-months in places. It follows a winter that saw snowfall levels down 70%, so there has also been precious little meltwater filling the rivers and reservoirs.

Summer Skiing Opens on Whistler/Blackcomb Glacier

It’s the first time the glacier has opened in the Canadian resort since 2019. There were fears that skiing and snowboarding in the summer might be over forever.  However there are restrictions and worries for the future of glacier riding.

Now it’s the Turn of New Zealand as More Snow Falls

There have been huge falls of snow in Australia so far this season, but less so in New Zealand. Not any more as up to 1m has fallen in places. It comes as things get back to normal after Covid-19 with hopes high for a bumper ski season ahead. UPDATED

More Ski Resorts in Australia Open as New Zealand Also Sees Snow

Resorts in Australia re open with record breaking falls of snow. In New Zealand some snow is now falling as its resorts prepare for the start of the ski season. The last two seasons have been severely disrupted by Covid-19 restrictions and hopes are high for this winter. UPDATED

The Alps Are Turning Greener But Native Plants Under Threat

A new report says the melting ice, diminishing snowpack & rising temperatures means non-native plant species are growing in the Alps. It is a further sign of increasing climate change.

Two US Ski Areas Close After Long Season

Arapahoe Basin in Colorado and Killington in Vermont closed on Sunday June 5th. For Killington it marks the latest time skiing has been on offer for 25-years at the east coast resort. UPDATED

Val d’Isere Glacier Will Not Open for Summer Skiing This Year

The Pisaillas glacier was due to open on June 11th.  Poor snow cover means skiing & snowboarding will not take place this year and the glacier will remain shut. Some see it as a sign of the times as climate change impacts.

Lake Tahoe Clean Up Ends

The 72-mile shoreline of the Californian lake has been cleaned in a project that started in May 2021. Lamposts, phones and engagements rings were found.

Les2Alpes Is Open for Glacier Skiing & Snowboarding

The French resort fired up some lifts on its glacier last weekend. It’s the first time the resort has opened so early for summer skiing and snowboarding. So, what is summer glacier skiing & snowboarding like?

Mammoth Mountain Open Into June

Skiing and snowboarding is going to carry on in the US resort until at least June 5th as good late season conditions continue. A few other resorts in North America are hoping to remain open for the next few weeks. UPDATED

Summer in the Tirol

Winter is fast becoming a distant memory as our attentions at PlanetSKI turn to summer in the mountains. First up we look at what is on offer in one of our favourite winter destinations and where we were based for part of last winter: The Tirol in Austria.

Hiking the Hahnenkamm

It is possible to walk down the Hahnenkamm downhill course on a summer holiday. PlanetSKI did it a few years back and it’s since become a popular attraction, with savings now on offer for this year. 

What Does PlanetSKI Do In The Summer? Part One…

It’s the question we are asked most at this time of year. We’re currently hiking the South Downs Way in preparation for walking at altitude in the Alps later this summer. We’ve now done a third of the route, Eastbourne to Brighton. UPDATED

Covid-19 Ski Holiday Rules in Austria

At PlanetSKI we are looking  at the rules and regulations in place in the main ski nations as winter approaches. All the main ski nations have confirmed that resorts are set to open. First we look at the situation in Austria.

Victoria Ski Areas in Australia Re-open

The Victorian Government has announced that the lockdown will lift in regional Victoria, and the ski areas are able to open from Friday 10 September. Resorts in New South Wales remain closed.

Ski Resorts Saved from California Wildfire

Kirkwood and Heavenly say they are ‘cautiously optimistic’ as the battle against the Caldor fire appears to have been won – so far. The resorts, volunteers and fire crews have put in an heroic effort and there is now hope as the wind eases. UPDATED

Snow Cannons Used to Battle Wildfires in California Ski Resorts

The cannons were turned on at Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort and with the help of fire fighting teams the resort has been saved. Kirkwood is under threat, Heavenly has been evacuated and Squaw Valley has been partially closed due to smoke. UPDATED

Summer Glacier Protection Continues

A handful of glacier areas in the Alps have once again been protected by coverings this summer in an attempt to slow the melt. It may though just delay what is looking increasingly inevitable and it comes at a cost.

Breithorn or Bust… Part Two

PlanetSKI’s intrepid Switzerland reporter, Catie Friend, has been on a women-only expedition to the summit of the Breithorn. It was part of a wider challenge for all-women teams to climb the 48 4,000+ meter mountains in Switzerland this summer: Part Two.

Breithorn or Bust… Part One

PlanetSKI’s intrepid Switzerland reporter, Catie Friend, has been on a women-only expedition to the summit of the Breithorn. It was part of a wider challenge for all-women teams to climb the 48 4,000+ meter mountains in Switzerland this summer. Part One.

South America Ski Resorts Finally Get Some Snow

Some areas in Chile and Argentina have seen over 1m with ski areas that had been forced to close for lack of snow re-opening for the final month of the season. UPDATED

New Zealand Extends Lockdown with Ski Resorts Closed

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the country needed to be “cautious”.  The nationwide lockdown has been extended by three days until midnight on 27 August.

Mountain Regions in France See Summer Tourism Boost

Large numbers of French people are opting against travelling abroad and taking a holiday in their own country. The Alps and the Pyrenees are proving to be particularly popular.

Travellers from the UK Can Now Enter Austria Without Quarantine

The rules change means some late summer travel is now easier if people have been double vaccinated or meet other health requirements. It bodes well for the start of the ski season with some glacier resorts opening in October.

Relics found as Swiss Glaciers Melt Can now be logged on an App

People who discover archaeological relics revealed by retreating glaciers in the Swiss Alps can now use a new app to log the location and help preserve their findings.

South America Ski Areas Struggle for Snow

Parts of the Andes are seeing little fresh snow according to a report from the Reuters news agency.

Mountain Top DJ Set in Morzine

Local DJ Arthur Monné (AKA FastArthur) is performing an hour long set this Friday (August 13th), performed from a spectacular viewing platform at the summit of Pointe de Nyon. NEW

UK Eases Travel Rules from Some Alpine Countries

Travelling from the ski nations of Europe is now a little easier for those of us in the UK. However there are still some tough restrictions on entry as the UK has one of the highest current number of cases of Covid-19 in Europe.  UPDATED

North America Heatwave Devastates Glaciers

Scientists say the glaciers are melting at ‘worrying rates’. The temperature at 3,000m is 6 degrees above average with large amounts of ice melting. Glaciers are melting at alarming rates across the world. UPDATED

Scotland’s Nevis Range Becomes Accredited Living Wage Employer

 Living Wage is an independently set hourly rate, calculated to ensure a decent standard of living can be achieved by an individual.

How Much Do You Know About Serre Chevalier?

The French resort has issued this summer’s news and information to the press as a quiz. It may be currently difficult to travel there but it is still possible to find out about what’s on offer.

New Zealand Ski Areas See Warmest June on Record But Winter Finally Arrives

The warm weather has been blamed on climate change, but the temperatures have now dropped with more ski areas opening.

Italian Glacier Covered to Prevent it Melting

70m long strips of reflective material are being placed over the ice on the Pressena glacier to try to preserve it. Other glaciers in the Alps have also been covered with some limited success.

Summer Avalanche Warnings in Switzerland

The authorities are urging caution after a person was caught in a summer slide earlier this month near Verbier. The 36-year-old local remains missing and the risk continues to be high in places.

Val d’Isere Opens for Glacier Skiing

The lifts opened for summer skiing on the Pisaillas glacier above Val d’Isere in France at the weekend. Les2Alpes is already open and Avoriaz also opened some slopes at the weekend.

Top 5 Resorts for Summer Skiing

There are plenty of options in the Alps – if you can get there. Our friends at Maison Sport have produced a guide to five main European glacier resorts for summer skiing.

Skiing Starts Across Australia With New Zealand Open Too

Mt Hutt in New Zealand opens on Friday with resorts in Australia firing up lifts on Saturday. However the ski state of Victoria in Australia is extending its lockdown to control the latest Covid-19 outbreak. Australia has see significant snow fall. UPDATED

More European Countries Ban Flights from the UK

A landing ban comes into force in Austria and the UK is put on the list of variant virus areas. France has introduced strict new measures. Germany has done the same and we look at the rules in the other main mountains countries of Europe with the potential impact on summer tourism to the mountains.

Cold Spring Brings Fresh Snow to the Alps

It’s June but snow conditions in the Alps are exceptional at altitude.  With several resorts open and more due to open soon, there is some great skiing and snowboarding for those lucky enough to get on the slopes. UPDATED

France Restricts UK Travellers From Monday

Anyone heading to the Alps or the Pyrenees mountain ranges will need to quarantine for 7-days and prove their visit is essential.  The new measure comes into force on Monday due to the spread of the so-called Indian variant in the UK.

Summer Skiing in the Alps Steps Up A Gear

A few resorts are firing up their lifts this weekend, some for the first time in more than a year. Unusually wintry weather for late spring looks like providing some excellent skiing and snowboarding.

Kaunertal Glacier Opens for Skiing

The Austrian ski area joins three others in the Tirol that are currently open for spring skiing and snowboarding.

Summer in the Tirol

More walking routes and terrain for mountain bikers, a wider selection of hotels, villas and campsites.  There’s a lot that’s new for summer 2021 in the Austrian Tirol.

10 Summer Adrenalin Fixes in Isère

If you like your summer holidays as active as your winter ski trips, here are some mountain ideas for when travel opens up.

Covid-19 Restrictions Set to Ease in Austria as Summer in the Mountains Beckons

Hotels, accommodation providers and businesses can reopen on May 19th.  Some glacier skiing is hoped to be on offer too with other summer activities available. We also look at the situation in some of the other ski nations of Europe. UPDATED

5 Summer Hikes In & Around Ischgl

The Austrian resort of Ischgl and the Paznaun Valley provide the backdrop for these summer adventure hikes.

Escape to Morzine in Summer

Winter was cancelled.  Summer is a hope.  If you are able to head across the Channel in 2021, Morzine in the French Alps is a great choice.  It’s easily accessible by car and a short hop from Geneva.  And there’s a whole lot to do there in summer.

Restart of International Travel from UK Under Threat

The Transport Select Committee says a report by the Government’s Global Travel Taskforce gives “insufficient” detail to allow for travel on 17th May.

Scotland’s Mountain Areas Open Up

Scotland is open, with a further easing of Covid-19 restrictions coming into force on Monday 26th April. The nation is an option for spring and summer holidays, but it’s come too late for the Scottish ski industry.

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