Yes, you can ski in summer in Switzerland: Zermatt and Saas-Fee both operate glacier ski areas in the warm months, usually in the morning while the snow is firm. Zermatt is reached via Täsch, 231 km and about 2 h 35 from Geneva Airport, and Saas-Fee lies in a neighbouring valley of the Valais. AirportsTransfers.ch drives summer skiers, training groups and families from GVA to both.
- Where: high glaciers above Zermatt and Saas-Fee
- When: summer operation varies each year, check with the resorts
- Ski hours: mainly mornings, before the snow softens
- Afternoons: hiking, biking, swimming and village life
- Access: both villages are car-free, transfers stop at the entrance
How summer glacier skiing works
In summer, only the highest part of a glacier ski area stays open, usually a handful of pistes served by surface lifts or a chairlift at the top of the mountain. Lifts start early because the snow is frozen overnight and softens quickly once the sun is up. By late morning or early afternoon, the snow becomes heavy and the area closes for the day. Much of the terrain is reserved for race teams and national squads who train there, with lanes set out for slalom and giant slalom, while public pistes and often a snow park remain open to everyone. It is a different experience from winter: shorter days on snow, fewer runs, but the novelty of skiing above green valleys with views across the Alps.
Zermatt in summer
Zermatt's glacier ski area lies high beneath the Matterhorn, reached by a series of cable cars from the village. In summer the upper glacier is used by teams from across the world, and recreational skiers share the open pistes. Because it is at such altitude, the air is thin and the weather can be wintry even in July, so warm clothes are needed. The village itself switches to summer mode: hikers head to viewpoints like the Gornergrat, the trails around the lakes above the village offer reflections of the Matterhorn, and mountain bikers use marked routes. Combining a morning on the glacier with an afternoon walk is the classic summer day here.
Saas-Fee in summer
Saas-Fee is a compact car-free village surrounded by glaciers and high peaks. Its summer ski area sits on the glacier above the village, reached by cable car and an underground funicular, and it is particularly popular with training camps and freestyle riders. Outside skiing, the Saas valley offers hiking, via ferrata routes and a relaxed village atmosphere. Saas-Fee is a good alternative if you want summer snow in a quieter setting than Zermatt, and it can be combined with a stay elsewhere in the Valais. As in Zermatt, cars stay outside the village: transfers drop you at the car park at the entrance, where electric taxis and porters take luggage to hotels and chalets, so pack bags you can manage over short distances.
What to pack for summer skiing
Pack as if for a cold winter morning and a hot summer afternoon. On the glacier you will want a warm mid-layer, a windproof jacket, gloves and a helmet; down in the valley, shorts and hiking shoes. Sun protection is more important than ever: the combination of summer sun, altitude and reflective snow can burn exposed skin within a short time, so use high-factor sunscreen, lip balm and dark lenses. Many skiers bring their own equipment, though rental shops in both villages offer summer hire. Carry water, as dry high-altitude air dehydrates quickly. If weather or wind closes the lifts, have a plan B: summer activities in the valley are plentiful.
Combining snow and summer
A summer ski trip can easily become a broader holiday. From Geneva, many visitors stop at Lake Geneva for a day of swimming and boat trips before heading into the mountains, or finish with a few days in Lausanne (61 km, about 45 min from the airport) or Montreux (91 km, about 1 h 05). Within the Valais, vineyards line the Rhône valley, and hiking trails start almost everywhere. Families sometimes split the day: one parent skiing with older children in the morning, then everyone meeting for a picnic or a mountain walk.
Booking the transfer with AirportsTransfers.ch
Your chauffeur meets you at Geneva Airport arrivals with a name sign, having followed your flight so that a delay costs nothing extra. Book online with AirportsTransfers.ch, see the fixed price for the vehicle and pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Declare skis, boards and bikes when you book: the Mercedes V-Class carries up to seven people with equipment, and a Sprinter minibus suits ski clubs and training groups. Child seats are available on request, return trips can be added and companies receive invoices. Call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77 for anything unusual.
