Pisaillas Glacier, Val d’Isere, France, Will Not Open for Summer Skiing Due to Lack of Snow

A Val d’Isere, France, glacier will not open for summer skiing this year due to a lack of snow and warm temperatures. The Pisaillas glacier was scheduled to open on June 11th, and this is the first time that a lack of snow has prevented it from opening.

• Related: Beartooth Basin, WY/MT, North America’s Only Summer-Only Ski Area, Will Not Open This Year Due to Low Snow

According to a Tweet, “the low snowfall in winter and the very mild temperatures in May (positive temperatures from 12 to 24) do not allow opening in good safety conditions.”

Pas de ski d'été cette année sur le glacier du Pisaillas. Le faible enneigement de l'hiver et les températures très douces de mai (températures positives du 12 au 24) ne permettent pas d'ouvrir dans de bonnes conditions de sécurité. pic.twitter.com/5Lef7cYM4K

— Radio Val d'Isère (@radiovaldisere) June 1, 2022

At 10,302-feet next to the Vanoise Natural Park in the Alps, the ski area opened on June 12th last year for a month of summer skiing and riding. 

Ski clubs and racing teams in the region that usually train on the glacier will instead turn to other glaciers, such as La Grande Motte in Tignes. Elsewhere in France, Les2Alpes opened last weekend for summer skiing and riding, and Kitzsteinhornin in Austria also offers summer turns.

In the United States, Beartooth Basin ski area, North America’s only summer-only ski area, will not be opening due to lack of snow coverage. Timberline Lodge in Oregon will be the only ski area spinning lifts this summer.