After the good news that ski areas in France and Italy could finally re-open their lifts to skiers last weekend, leading to brief re-openings of La Clusaz and Passo Tonale, five more areas in four countries are set to open for longer periods of summer skiing over the next few days.
Italy's Cervinia (pictured) is first, re-opening some terrain today, with Norway's Stryn glacier set to open for its 2021 season tomorrow, Thursday. On Friday North America's sole summer-only ski area Beartooth Basin on the Montana /Wyoming state line is due to open (although may be delayed due to too much snow lying on the access road), then Italy's Passo Stelvio and France's Les 2 Alpes should be opening on Saturday.
"After a complicated winter because of the pandemic, Les 2 Alpes is thrilled to announce that the resort and the lifts will open on Saturday 29 May. Skiers and boarders will be able to enjoy Europe's biggest skiable glacier every morning this summer. After a snowy winter, the conditions are excellent – and it also snowed a lot in May, more than 1.5m!" a resort spokesperson told J2Ski.
The lift company has put in place a system to avoid skiers queuing all at the same time to get on the Jandri Express – the cable car linking the resort to the glacier.
Between 6.30am and 7.10am, only pros and their coaches will be able to get on (and they have a specific time during these 40 minutes). From 7.10am to 7.20am, skiers who have booked private lessons, followed by ski clubs from 7.20am. And anyone else will be able to get on the Jandri Express from 8.00am to enjoy ski runs between 3,600m and 2,600m. A day pass costs €36,5 until 18 June, and €43.50 after.
As well as skiing, Les 2 Alpes is famous for mountain biking and a wide range of activities such as trail running, white water rafting, hiking, paragliding, yoga…
the spokesperson continued, …if you can get there."After many months of lockdown and restrictions, Les 2 Alpes is an ideal summer destination to enjoy outdoor activities in a beautiful, uncrowded environment,"