Italy's Stelvio summer ski area, located closed to the ski town of Bormio, has opened for its 2026 season today. The centre, which reports a 2m snow depth on its upper slopes, 50cm at the base, has about 20km of slopes and two new drag lifts going into service this winter.
Stelvio has a long history with the first summer snowsports here reported back in the 1930s. It caters for all standards with complete beginners making the most of quieter slopes in summer, sharing lifts with international ski racing stars here for summer training. There are even summer cross country ski loops. It has a six-month season through to Novvember.
Passo Stelvio is also one of just a few centres in the northern hemisphere that only open in the warmer months of the year, not in winter. They include Japan's Gassan Glacier, the Galdhopiggen and Stryn Summer ski areas in Norway and Beartooth Basin in Wyoming, USA, all of which have opened for their 23026 seasons in the past few weeks.
The centre is one of five currently open in the alps along side Zermatt/Cervinia, Les 2 Alpes, Hintertux and Molltal, although the latter closes its eight-month 25-26 season tomorrow. The choice will go back up to five by next weekend though as Val d'Isère opens for its three-week summer ski season then.