Where Can You Ski in May?

For skiers wondering where you can still ski in May, the answer lies in high-altitude and glacier resorts that maintain reliable snow well into spring. While many ski resorts close by late April, a number of high-altitude and glacier resorts continue operating well into spring. From Zermatt and Tignes in the Alps to Mammoth Mountain in California, these destinations can still offer excellent late-season skiing when conditions line up.

By May, the ski season has usually slipped into its final chapter. Across much of Europe and North America lifts have stopped turning, shutters are coming down on mountain restaurants, and resort teams are swapping piste maps for summer trail plans.

Yet in the right places skiing does not simply disappear with the calendar. At high altitude, particularly on glacier terrain, the season can carry on surprisingly well. For skiers who understand how spring snow behaves, May can still offer some genuinely rewarding days on the mountain.

Late-season skiing is really about three things: altitude, glacier terrain and timing. Get it right and you can carve smooth turns on freshly groomed pistes early in the day, take in sweeping alpine views with far fewer people around, and enjoy a quieter mountain atmosphere than during the busy weeks of midwinter.

Get it wrong and the experience can feel very different. Heavy afternoon snow, chasing shade to find decent conditions, and wondering halfway through the day whether hiking might have been the better idea.

So the real question is not whether skiing in May is possible. It is where it remains properly enjoyable.

Best places to ski in May

Tignes by Daniel Elkan

If you are looking for reliable late-season skiing, these resorts are among the best options:

• Zermatt, Switzerland

• Tignes, France

• Val Thorens, France

• Hintertux Glacier, Austria

• Saas-Fee, Switzerland

• Riksgränsen, Sweden

• Mammoth Mountain, California

Editor’s Picks: Best May Skiing Experiences

Best overall May skiing
Zermatt, Switzerland
With glacier terrain above 3,000 metres and lifts reaching 3,883m, Zermatt offers some of the most reliable late-season skiing in the Alps.

Best for glacier skiing
Hintertux Glacier, Austria
Open year round, Hintertux is one of the safest bets for skiing in May, with dependable glacier terrain and consistent lift access.

Best for a big Alpine resort
Val Thorens, France
Europe’s highest ski resort often stays open into early May and still offers a large ski area high above the tree line.

Most unusual late-season skiing
Riksgränsen, Sweden
Located above the Arctic Circle, Riksgränsen is famous for skiing under the midnight sun during May.

Best in North America
Mammoth Mountain, California
High elevation and deep snowpack often allow Mammoth to keep lifts running long after many other US resorts have closed.

Is May a good time to ski?

© L.Brochot – OT val Thorens

It can be, but only at resorts designed for late-season skiing.

By this stage elevation becomes the deciding factor. The most dependable choices tend to have large areas of terrain above about 2,500 to 3,000 metres, ideally with glacier infrastructure that allows lifts and pistes to remain open long after lower mountains have closed.

Many lower altitude resorts shut down by late April, and even some famous Alpine destinations finish their seasons before May begins. As a result, the list of resorts still operating becomes much shorter and more specialised.

Snow depth in May is also shaped by the winter that came before. After a strong season, coverage at altitude can remain surprisingly good, with upper slopes still feeling distinctly wintery. After a weaker winter, skiing may still be possible but the amount of open terrain is often more limited and more dependent on overnight refreezing.

If you are comfortable adjusting your approach, skiing early and being realistic about afternoons, May can be hugely satisfying. If you expect midwinter conditions all day long, it becomes a more fragile proposition.

What are snow conditions like in May?

By May the freeze and thaw cycle determines how the mountain skis.

Clear, cold nights refreeze the snow surface and create the best conditions of the day. Early mornings, particularly above about 2,800 metres, often bring firm, supportive snow and freshly groomed pistes stretching out beneath clear alpine skies.

As the sun climbs higher the snow gradually softens. Late morning often brings classic spring corn snow, that smooth and slightly grippy texture that makes carving feel effortless.

By early afternoon, especially below about 2,500 metres, snow can become heavier and slower, with slush forming fastest on south-facing slopes.

The most reliable May conditions are usually found:

• on glacier terrain

• above 3,000 metres

• on north-facing slopes

• early in the day

This is why some glacier areas open lifts earlier than in midwinter. In May the best ski day is often the one that ends with lunch on a sunny terrace.

Where can you ski in May in Europe?

With that in mind, a small group of high-altitude resorts stand out as the most reliable places to ski in May in Europe.

Zermatt, Switzerland

Top lift: 3,883m | Glacier skiing year round

Zermatt remains one of the most dependable places to ski in May. Extensive glacier terrain sits above 3,000 metres and lifts climb to the Klein Matterhorn at 3,883 metres. When overnight temperatures allow a solid refreeze, the morning pistes can feel impressively consistent well into the month.

Seasonal updates and lift information are available on the official resort site

Tignes, France

Top lift: 3,456m | Grande Motte Glacier

Tignes often stays open into early May before switching focus to summer glacier skiing. The Grande Motte glacier keeps most of the skiing above 3,000 metres, and after clear nights you can still find dependable morning snow with a smooth rhythm that feels far removed from the warmer valley below.

Lift operations and seasonal updates are available at tignes.net.

Val Thorens, France

Base altitude: 2,300m | Typical closing: early May

Val Thorens is often the last major French resort still operating in May. Its high base altitude and wide open terrain help preserve snow well into spring. By this stage the lift network is usually smaller and lower slopes soften quickly, but the upper mountain often continues to ski well right up to closing day.

Current resort updates can be found at valthorens.com.

Hintertux Glacier, Austria

Top lift: 3,250m | Open year round

For dependable late-season skiing in Austria, Hintertux is the obvious choice. The glacier operates throughout the year and most of the terrain sits well above 2,500 metres. Conditions follow the typical spring pattern, but it remains one of the safest options if you simply want to know you will still be able to ski.

Operational information is available at hintertuxergletscher.at/en

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

Top lift: 3,600m | Glacier terrain

Saas-Fee’s glacier slopes sit high above the village and remain a strong late-season option. Lifts reach beyond 3,500 metres and the surrounding landscape of towering 4,000 metre peaks gives the resort a dramatic alpine setting. It also tends to feel quieter than some of the larger Alpine destinations.

Resort updates are available at saas-fee.ch/en

Northern latitude option: Riksgränsen, Sweden

Not all May skiing depends on altitude. Far northern resorts can retain snow thanks to cooler temperatures and long daylight hours.

Riksgränsen in Sweden is famous for operating well into late May and sometimes into June. From mid May onwards skiing can continue late into the evening beneath the midnight sun, creating one of the most unusual and memorable ways to finish the ski season.

More information is available at riksgransen.se.

Can you ski in May in North America?

While the Alps dominate late-season skiing in Europe, a few destinations in North America can also keep the lifts turning into May.

In North America late-season skiing varies more from year to year because it depends heavily on winter snowfall totals. Some resorts deliver exceptional conditions after a big winter, while others reduce their terrain significantly.

Mammoth Mountain, California

Base altitude: 2,424m | Top lift: 3,369m

Mammoth Mountain is the resort most often associated with May skiing in the United States. Its elevation and ability to maintain a deep spring snowpack allow the resort to remain open long after many others have closed.

During strong snow years it can feel as though the season refuses to end, with long sunny days and plenty of terrain still available.

Current lift status and seasonal plans can be checked at mammothmountain.com.

In Colorado, a handful of high-altitude resorts sometimes stay open into early May in certain years, although operations are often limited to upper-mountain terrain.

Tips for skiing in May

Late-season skiing works best with a slightly different approach. A few simple adjustments can make the experience far more enjoyable.

• Start early. The best snow usually arrives between first lift and late morning.

• Stay high. Slopes above about 2,800 to 3,000 metres tend to hold the best conditions.

• Watch the sun. North-facing slopes often stay firmer for longer.

• Be flexible. Treat afternoon skiing as a bonus and enjoy long lunches or other mountain activities.

When does the ski season end in Europe?

Most European ski resorts close between mid April and early May, depending on altitude and snow conditions.

Lower altitude resorts often finish first, while high Alpine destinations such as Val Thorens may stay open into early May. Glacier resorts including Zermatt and Hintertux can continue skiing even later and in some cases operate year round.

The advantages of skiing in May

Of course, late-season skiing brings its own character and rhythm.

Lift queues are minimal, slopes feel spacious, and mountain restaurants settle into a slower spring pace. You can ski hard for a few hours in the morning and then enjoy the best parts of spring in the mountains, including sunny terraces, long lunches and quieter villages.

For skiers who enjoy early starts and uncrowded slopes, May can be one of the most peaceful times of the entire season.

The limitations to consider

Late-season skiing also comes with a few trade-offs.

By May your dependence on altitude becomes absolute. Lower slopes often close, return runs to resort level may not operate and afternoon snow can become heavy, particularly below about 2,500 metres.

Weather matters more too. A mild or cloudy night can prevent the snow from refreezing properly, which means softer conditions much earlier the following day.

Approach May skiing with flexible expectations, plan to ski early and treat the afternoon as bonus time rather than the main event.

Skiing in May FAQs

Can you still ski in May in Europe?
Yes. Glacier resorts and high altitude ski areas with terrain above around 3,000 metres often remain open.

Is May snow good?
It can be excellent in the morning after a solid overnight freeze. Conditions usually soften as the day warms up.

Where is the most reliable skiing in May?
Glacier resorts such as Zermatt and Hintertux are among the most reliable, along with high elevation resorts like Tignes and Mammoth Mountain in strong snow years.

Is skiing in May cheaper?
Often it is. Accommodation prices and sometimes lift passes can fall as the season winds down, although popular late-season resorts may still be busy around holidays and weekends.