Summer Glacier Skiing

[matea98]

Just wondering, has anyone skied during the summer on a glacier? If so, what's it like? I know that most resorts open early in the morning to take advantage of the hard pack snow, and close around 1 because it gets quite soft. Is it comparable to spring skiing with some icy conditions or..?
thanks!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Give Astrid a chance to find this thread - she's in Norway and skis in the summer at a glacier, I'm sure she'll fill you in! Or are you referring to permanent snow fields in North America, like Mt Hood? If so, I think your perceptions are right on: very much spring conditions, with most skiable terrain on the upper aspects of Hood closing early aft, except for the freestyle ski and snowboard camps on its shoulders (ditto Whistler).

 

[astridhj]

I've found the thread - but it's been years since I skied at a glacier during summers. And I can't really remember how it was. But when I get back home I will try it out and come back to you and tell you.

 

[SnowHot]

There are a few european divas who come to ski diva once in a while
Eng_ch and missdemeanor come to mind. I sent them a PM, maybe they'll pop in, if they get the message, or are not off on a glacier skiing without internet access.
EpicSki has a eurozone where there are a bunch of international exchanges on this topic.https://forums.epicski.com/
Another source is a UK based ski forum. www.snowheads.com

 

[matea98]

thanks!

 

[Gloria]

The biggest factor I've found in skiing ice fields and glaciers is night temps. When the day temps get into the 40's and then freeze again at night, it can be similiar to spring skiing conditions with an ungroomed twist. When the day temps get into the 40's and the night temps don't fall below freezing, then it can get a little trickier depending on the snow pack. If the snow is well consolidated, you can get a bunch of bb's which feel like you are skiing on ball bearings, falling on this can be scary. You can slide for a long time if you are unable to arrest immediately. If the snowpack is unconsolidated, you can get into rotted snow conditions, which can be tough and tricky as well. I don't think there is a hard fast rule, you just need to be aware of temps both night and day ( taking into consideration the temps for several days prior as well ) , snowpack, exposure etc. and be prepared for a mixed bag of conditions. Look at things like what the snow is doing along the cliffbands, is it pulling away and leaving gaps between, is there any horizontal cracking in the snowpack going on, can you make a snowball? What is the snow doing if it isn't balling? And so forth.

 

[matea98]

where have you skiied mostly? Is there a difference between skiing glaciers in NA and Europe?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

where have you skiied mostly? Is there a difference between skiing glaciers in NA and Europe?

I've done neither but know quite a few who have done both. From what they've said, the difference is primarily one of size: European glaciers are much more vast, given the nature of the Alps versus the Rockies.

If you've got google earth, it's fun to "head over" to Europe and have a look. Have a look at the one near Astrid, which is in Norway (i.e., not in the Alps): key word Folgefonna glacier, Norway. Will take you right to it. Check out its size.

 

[Gloria]

where have you skiied mostly? Is there a difference between skiing glaciers in NA and Europe?

I have skied mainly the smaller ice field and ice cap varieties of glaciers. They are more common. I don't know about the difference between NA glaciers and European ones, but I think the large true glaciers tend to have less slope angle than fields or caps due to the terrain that tends to encompass them. Other than that, I think the glaciers in Europe are more commonly skied because they are more accessible. Alot of the glaciers in NA are in more protected areas like GNP in MT or some hardcore wilderness areas in Alaska etc. and therefore typically require mountaineering tools and techniques to access. Although there is a section in Glacier that is commonly skied, which I think is just a hike, but I really can't remember. It's been at least 10 years since I have been there. And of course, there is Whistler.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Matea, just wondering: are you interested in the glacier-skiing experience, or are you looking for a great ski vacation in the (North American) summer? Because if the latter is the case, I have two words: SOUTH AMERICA.

 

[Gloria]

Matea, just wondering: are you interested in the glacier-skiing experience, or are you looking for a great ski vacation in the (North American) summer? Because if the latter is the case, I have two words: SOUTH AMERICA.

Very good point, I personally wouldn't reccomend taking a huge trip exclusively to ski something "glacial" unless it was for a camp or something. Most of the freestyle camps I am aware of and probably the one you are going to is going to be on an ice field or similiar. That I can understand, and will definately be worth your while. In terms of going out and skiing something really cool, for recreational skiing, there is alot of other better skiing opportunities. IMO. . If you are concerned re: the conditions at the camp you are going to, I would assume that you will be skiing on more consolidated snowpack, and yes starting and finishing early. More than likely what you will find depending on the time of year and temps when you go is semi-hardpack with a layer of rounded ice or firn on top that will get thicker as it warms. It is not too difficult to ski, but if you fall you just need to be on top of your self-arrest. The race courses, mogul courses and jumping areas that get skied good, tend to simply resemble groomers after they get skied out a bit. One thing to remember though, is to put sunscreen inside your nostrils. The sun reflects back up off the snow in these conditions, and as nasty as putting sunscreen in your nose sounds, the sunburn from not is even worse.

 

[astridhj]

Maybe we can ask MSL's son. He's been skiing the Folgefonna glacier.

Wish I could head over to South America to go skiing, but alas, trying to save up money to go to Colorado next year to meet you wonderful ladies. So maybe later...

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Maybe we can ask MSL's son. He's been skiing the Folgefonna glacier.

I don't think he much cares what the snow is like, as long as it's snow!! Seriously, though, he loved the glacier - it was very much winter up there, and those who had not experienced that latitude enjoyed the "Midnight Sun" (it was dark for one hour at summer solstice!) as much as anything! He also swam in the VERY COLD fjord.

 

[astridhj]

I don't think he much cares what the snow is like, as long as it's snow!! Seriously, though, he loved the glacier - it was very much winter up there, and those who had not experienced that latitude enjoyed the "Midnight Sun" (it was dark for one hour at summer solstice!) as much as anything! He also swam in the VERY COLD fjord.

I got to meet him one of these days. But it's too far south to be proper midnight sun... We actually have dark nights this far south in Norway. But skiing in proper midnight sun is one of the things I'd really like to do.

I've skied in Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), which was amazing.

 

[Gloria]

I found some pictures of a small ice field we skied a couple of years ago. I forgot these were on this computer. You can kind of see from the photo at the top the snow conditions. And the scenery, to die for.

 

[matea98]

Matea, just wondering: are you interested in the glacier-skiing experience, or are you looking for a great ski vacation in the (North American) summer? Because if the latter is the case, I have two words: SOUTH AMERICA.

I am going, as Gloria stated, to a week long freestyle camp in Les Deux Alpes, as well as a week long piste performance camp with Warren Smith in Saas-Fee. I heard Chile and Argentina offer some good skiing in the summer though.

Gloria: thanks for the info! Very informative! I take it you have skied on a glacier during the summer? If so, which one? I'm really excited for this Freestyle camp to learn with some of the best out there.

What would you recommend to wear? Like how cold/warm can it get? I have the Arc'teryx sidewinder SV jacket and I was thinking if wearing that along with a merino wool long sleeve shirt underneath...that enough?

 

[Gloria]

I haven't skied anything fancy, I worked at the bottom of this pass in my late teens and have been back a few times including freestyle camp. ( I had to attend with DD her first year as she was so young)
the camp is on a pretty small headwall/snowfield. but fun.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beartooth_Mountains

We also live pretty close to here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier_National_Park_(U.S.)

although I have done alot more general recreating here than skiing. It seems the couple times I have gone to ski we got shut down or ended up doing other things.

As for what to wear, generally the camps I am familiar with will run the mogul courses in the a.m. when the snow is better and then move onto jumps later. What I would reccomend in this case is adding either another insulating layer like a vest. As the morning will be high output, you may want to add a layer for jumping as it will be less high output and you won't want to get chilled. The temps are not in and of themselves super cold, but the wind can be. If it is windy, it will be dressing like you would to ski in the winter, if not, layers. It may also be wise to find a really lightweight super breathable windbreak. Occassionally you may get snow, I think we had a couple little storms last time we were there. But if the sun is out, beware! It's a most nasty version. Make sure you are either wearing dark goggles or wrap-around glasses in addition to lots of sunscreen. You might want to look for some baselayers that have the sunguard built in for these days as well depending on your skin-tone. And of course, lots of water. I guess the weather is not nasty, but unpredictable and ever changing, so having a variety of layers will be best. Gosh, have a great time, this will surely be a good experience for you.

 

[RachelV]

I skied on Mt. Hood last July - pictures here: https://flickr.com/photos/rachelv/sets/72157601107104956/

The snow was actually really nice in the morning. They open the lifts at 7 or 7:30, and until 11 or so it was really nice. I'd compare it to early spring conditions in general -- a little soft, but still surprisingly firm. After 11 or so it started to soften up really fast, and by 1 when the lifts closed things had gotten pretty goopy. The parts they'd salted were noticably firmer, the parts they hadn't were pretty exhausting to ski.

Overall it was great, though. I was surprised by how nice things were in the morning, and in the afternoon I was still too excited to be skiing in July to mind how soft it was.

I was wearing flannel pants under insulated ski pants, and a long-sleeve t-shirt and lightweight fleece on top. That was enough. When the wind kicked up I was a little chilly, but overall I was on the warm side. I'd say just wear 2 or 3 thin layers, light gloves, and adjust as you need to.

You're going to have a fantastic time.

 

[Gloria]

I skied on Mt. Hood last July - pictures here: https://flickr.com/photos/rachelv/sets/72157601107104956/

The snow was actually really nice in the morning. They open the lifts at 7 or 7:30, and until 11 or so it was really nice. I'd compare it to early spring conditions in general -- a little soft, but still surprisingly firm. After 11 or so it started to soften up really fast, and by 1 when the lifts closed things had gotten pretty goopy. The parts they'd salted were noticably firmer, the parts they hadn't were pretty exhausting to ski.

Overall it was great, though. I was surprised by how nice things were in the morning, and in the afternoon I was still too excited to be skiing in July to mind how soft it was.

I was wearing flannel pants under insulated ski pants, and a long-sleeve t-shirt and lightweight fleece on top. That was enough. When the wind kicked up I was a little chilly, but overall I was on the warm side. I'd say just wear 2 or 3 thin layers, light gloves, and adjust as you need to.

You're going to have a fantastic time.

I think this is probably going to be a very close description of snow conditions given the similiar nature and being maintained areas. The only thing I would add is to keep in mind the down time you will have for instruction and waiting for others to jump and run the mogul course, alot of people would wear similiar to what Rachel is describing while running the courses et al, but were keeping shells etc at the top of the course and jump zones to stay warm while they were waiting to ski.

 

[eng_ch]

I think your best bet will be to post your question on Snowheads, there are far more peeps there who have skied on glaciers in the summer. The only one I've skied on was Les Deux Alpes in October 2006 which wasn't the best example owing to conditions (blue ice). There aren't all that many glaciers that have a summer season these days, the main ones are Tignes and Les Deux Alpes in France, Zermatt in Switzerland and Hintertux (and possibly Sölden or Kaprun) in Austria