Skiing in summer requires perennial snow which is usually found on glaciers. Glaciers that stay cool enough to keep the snow all year are typically located several thousand metres above sea level, often on the upper slopes of ski resorts.
Glacier skiing is popular as a summer vacation alternative to a beach holiday, for working on skiing or snowboarding technique, participating in ski lessons or camps or simply having fun on the slopes.
Summer Skiing on Glaciers
Typically from July until November summer skiing is offered on glaciers in North America and Europe. Some ski areas offer skiing all year round.
Chacaltaya ski resort in Bolivia with a base of 5,200 metres (just over 17,000 feet), is the highest ski resort in the world. It operates from November until April — during the southern hemisphere's summer. It would typically require a week or more to acclimatize to this height from sea level.
Best Time of Day for Summer Glacier Skiing
Many of the glacier skiing resorts are shared not only by recreational skiers and snowboarders but also by national ski teams (summer alpine race training) and mountain climbers. To avoid the stress of lift queues at the base of the mountain, enquire at the ticket office for the hours when ski teams are riding the lifts.
Due to enormous temperature variations, snow conditions will vary through any one day on a glacier in summer. The snow is typically firn snow or spring snow. Winter snow such as powder will only be experienced after a cold storm bringing fresh snow. The best skiing is usually mid-morning after the pistes frozen overnight soften. In the afternoon the sun tends to heat the snow making it slushy. Waxing the ski bases for wet snow conditions might be necessary to make the skis glide.
Effects of Altitude Experienced on a Glacier
At 3,000 metres above sea level the air is less rich with oxygen such that physical activity, even breathing, takes more effort. Everyone acclimatises at different rates to high altitudes. When travelling from sea level, the best way to acclimate is slowly, gaining a few hundred metres each day. Many people initially experience mild effects of altitude sickness. Some typical symptoms include:
- Bloody nose
- Mild headache
- Dehydration
- Shortness of breath
- Lethargy
- Nausea.
The best cure for all forms of altitude sickness is to lose altitude as soon as possible. Once acclimatised, many of the symptoms disappear for most people.
Severe symptoms of altitude sickness should not be ignored. They can lead to pulmonary edema and cerebral edema — serious conditions for which medical assistance should be sought immediately.
Changeable Weather on a Glacier
Although the glaciers are typically located above 2,000 meters, the temperature can vary significantly. As a rule of thumb, for every 100 meters ascended, on a clear day the temperature drops by about 1 C degree. On a windless July day above 2,000 meters on a glacier, temperatures can exceed 30 °C. The added effect of the sun reflected off the snow intensifies the UV radiation on the body. Don’t forget the exposed skin, such as on the hands, neck and face especially ears, lips and nose, when covering up with clothing or sunscreen.
In the high mountain zone, weather conditions can change suddenly. Late afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon and can pose a risk to skiers.
Clothing and Equipment for Glacier Skiing
- Lightweight ski clothing. A thin waterproof / windproof shell jacket and over trousers that inner thermal layers can be added to are more versatile than a thick winter outfit.
- Warm clothing layers such as a woollen jumper or fleece layer
- Cover the skin where possible with long pants, long sleeves and gloves.
- Small day pack
- Water
- Factor 50 sun screen
- Category 3 or 4 sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Bandanna (to cover the back of the neck)
- Thin gloves (to be worn at all times while skiing)
Glacier Hazards
In addition to the hazards of altitude, the glaring effects of the sun and changeable weather, skiers should be mindful of the glacier environment. A glacier is made of permanent ice that accumulates from seasonal winter snow falls.
Features of a glacier include crevasses (fissures in the ice) and, seracs (ice towers). Always remain on the marked trails unless the group has glacier travel knowledge, appropriate equipment or is accompanied by a guide.
Glacier skiing extends the season, making it year-round in some places. Some of the special concerns with skiing on a glacier are the sun's glare, the changeable weather, and the natural hazards of crevasses and seracs.
