Scorching Heat Wipes Out Europe's Open-Air Summer Ski Slopes

Alpine Summer Skiing Grinds to a Halt

According to УНІАН — Туризм: Europe's summer ski season has been dramatically disrupted by unseasonably hot temperatures, and nowhere is that more visible than at the Stelvio glacier in the Italian Alps. Sifas, the company that operates the Stelvio cable cars, suspended the ski slopes beginning August 15 for an indefinite period. The lifts themselves are still running, but only for hikers and sightseers. This followed earlier closures at the Matterhorn and at Ponte di Legno–Tonale, where summer skiing had already been stopped on July 31.

Swiss operator Zermatt Bergbahnen has also called a halt to skiing on the Theodul glacier, which sits roughly 3,000 metres above sea level. On the Italian side, lifts running from Breuil-Cervinia to Plateau Rosa were restricted to pedestrian use. Meanwhile, on Mont Blanc, the Italian side briefly suspended mountain access, and two French refuges-Tête Rousse and Goûter-were shut down as a safety measure. That left 32 climbers with no way down except a helicopter they had to pay for themselves. The mayor of Saint-Gervais declined to launch a rescue operation because the group had climbed despite official bans.

Heat, Climate Change, and Natural Hazards

Temperature readings from the Arpa weather service highlighted how unusual the conditions have become. A station near the Forni glacier, at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, recorded 17°C, while the Marinelli pass, at about 3,000 metres, logged 9°C. Glacier ski areas in Switzerland, France, Austria, and Norway have all suspended operations as well. At the time of publication, no outdoor summer ski routes remained active anywhere in Europe; only indoor snow centres were still available to skiers.

Sifas said these conditions 'do not allow us to guarantee the usual quality standards and, above all, the safety required for summer skiing.'

The company added that its team would continue monitoring the situation and the mountain, hoping for cooler weather and an improvement in the glacier. It promised to announce any possible reopening quickly and thanked visitors for their understanding and cooperation.

The disruptions also extend beyond skiing. In southern Spain, a magnitude 5 earthquake struck near Granada on August 15, with tremors recorded just after 1 a.m. in the Alhendín area. Authorities declared an emergency in Andalusia in response.

These events underline how climate change is rewriting the rules for mountain travel in Europe. The loss of the summer glacier season is a clear warning for the ski industry, while the Spanish earthquake serves as a reminder that natural hazards in these regions can strike at any time.