Matterhorn Summer Skiing Suspended as Heat Melts Snow

The Swiss side of the Matterhorn (Cervino) glacier has been closed to skiers from 1 August 2026 because melting snow and unsafe conditions make summer skiing impossible. Zermatt Bergbahnen, the operator of the Teodulo lift, cited a thermal zero near 5,000 m, daytime temperatures above 15 °C at 3,000 m and a lack of night‑time cooling as reasons for the suspension.

Italian ski areas on the opposite slope remain open for hikers, with lifts from Breuil‑Cervinia operating up to Plateau Rosa. The decision follows a similar suspension in 2022 when the glacier also became unsuitable for skiing.

Olympic champion Federica Brignone highlighted the situation on Instagram, posting a video set to the song from Titanic that shows the barren, snow‑free plateau. She described the conditions as “liquid trajectories” and warned that the mountain’s appearance underscores the impact of climate change.