FROM AUSTRIA TO ARGENTINA – FIVE SUMMERTIME SKIING ESCAPES

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF, BASECAMP I PHOTOS: UNSPLASH

With Omicron cancelling many ski holiday plans during the festive period due to coronavirus restrictions imposed, lots of holiday makers have been left disappointed and longing to get back to the slopes of their favourite resorts. In 2022, we suggest heading to one of the top-five destinations that impress with snow-filled slopes, even in summer, to get your skiing fix.

Have you ever considered taking a skiing holiday in summer? Combine your love of skiing and après ski with the likes of a lake dip and other more typical summertime activities. If you like the sound of hitting the snow this summer, we’ve got some food for thought. With some inspiration from travel company, Basecamp, offering snowboard instructor courses and gap year adventures, here’s five locations to consider.

Austria.

Austria: Zell am See-Kaprun

First on our list is the breathtaking Kitzsteinhorn glacier, a mountain in the Hohe Tauren range of the Central Eastern Alps. The ginormous mountain is 3,000 metres above ground, which means the peak is blanketed by white snow all year long! Cable cars and lifts are available to safely take you to the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy the astonishing views of the Austrian countryside and Lake Zell. Oh, and did we mention it is accessible 365 days a year?

When you reach the top of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, relax and admire the view from the impressive mountain-top restaurant. The Gipfel offers panoramic views while serving delicious Austrian food and drinks. What more could you want after a long day of skiing? After you’ve wined and dined, head on down to the ground and lounge by the stunning Lake Zell. In the summertime, the crystal blue waters are serene, and you can even take a dip. The green grass on the ground is in stark contrast to the snow-covered peaks above, but that’s one of the many charms of visiting Zell am See-Kaprun during the summer.

Austria.

Norway: Stryn

Next on our list are the picturesque mountains of Stryn, a quaint village located in the west of Norway. The area is full of natural beauty, with serene lakes and mountains, such as the Briksdalsbreen glacier. This attracts visitors from all around the world and is well-known for being as snowy as a Christmas postcard all year round.

The best place to ski in Stryn is the Sommerski Centre, and it is truly a place like no other! The snowy slopes span across four kilometres of mountain ranges, and they’re usually filled with people enjoying a summer in the snow between June and July. There are social events, such as barbecues, where you can meet fellow skiers and make memories that will last a lifetime. But did you know that you can ski in your summer attire? Whether you’ve always wanted to slide down the slopes in your bikini or snowboard in your shorts, the Sommerski mountains of Stryn are the place for you. Remember to bring sun cream – you’re going to need it!

Norway. Photo: Pixabay

Australia: Perisher Resort

If you want to spend this summer on a skiing adventure far away, travel down under and visit the icy slopes of Australia. As Oceania is in the Southern hemisphere, Australian seasons are reversed, and you can enjoy the wintery mountains between June and October.

Perisher Resort is one of the best places to ski in the Aussie wilderness. The huge resort has 47 lifts that operate between 8.30am and 5pm every day, so you can truly make the most out of your holiday all week! And if you’re feeling adventurous enough, you can explore the backcountry surrounding Perisher Resort. Snowy Mountains Backcountry offers tours of the Guthega River and the Main Range.

The Australian mountain ranges are a sight to behold. Have you ever wanted to ski beneath the stars? At Perisher, you can sail down the white lanes between 6-9pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays. After a moonlit ski, there are lots of places to eat, drink and socialise in Perisher Village. What more could you want?

Perisher Resort, Australia.

Argentina: Bariloche

Another location on our list is Bariloche, a small town located in the west of Argentina. As winter in Argentina takes place between June and September, this is the perfect place to go on a summer skiing holiday in 2022. Bariloche is a great place to immerse yourself in Argentinian culture and indulge in the finest chocolate ever made. As an added bonus, the closest ski resort is only 12 miles away.

The resort is named after the Catedral Alta Patagonia, but you’ll probably hear the locals call it the Cerro Cathedral. The mountains are extremely beautiful, as they are situated next to the Nahuel Huapi National Park and the Lake District of Patagonia. As well as the natural beauty surrounding the resort, the resort offers glade skiing, otherwise known as tree skiing. This is an amazing opportunity to put your skills to the test and try something new! Everyone knows skiing down a mountain is beautiful, but whizzing past snow-covered trees is a unique experience as picturesque as it gets.

Argentina.

Switzerland: Saas Fee

Of course, Switzerland can’t be missing from this list. Skiing enthusiasts can find year-round snowiness here due to the Allalin glacier. At dizzying heights of 3,600 metres, lifts open at 7.30am. The slopes here are perfect for intermediates, but beginners can also ride here as the Swiss Ski School is open from July, too. If you’re better than intermediate, why not head to the pro-standard snow park that caters to guests with superpipes and more? Often hosting the Saas-Fee Ride event in summer, it is the place to be. And for anyone that doesn’t want to go skiing, we suggest visiting Mittelallalin at 3,500 metres. Here, at the Glacier Fun Adventure Land, you can go snow tubing and ski-dooing.

We hope we’ve inspired you to hit the slopes and spend summer 2022 in the snow. Skiing holidays book up fast, so if you’re considering hitting the slopes next summer, it’s best to get booked up quickly. Whether you’re learning to ski or training to become a ski instructor, the frosty mountains are a delight all summer long. With countless stunning views to choose from and lots of opportunities for après ski, where will you go on your next adventure?