[REVISION HISTORY]

Alpine permafrost melt drives ski closures and rockfall risk

Updated 8 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-17 05:34 UTC → 2026-08-17 13:05 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following the July 2024 Matterhorn rock‑fall that killed two climbers, guide associations in Switzerland and Italy suspended classic routes and urged early starts as temperatures pushed the zero‑degree line upward. A prolonged Swiss heatwave in July 2026 deepened the crisis, with the Swiss Alpine Club reporting significant ice loss in the Rhône glacier and fatal rockfalls on Mont Bon. On 5 August 2026, a massive rockfall occurred on the south side of the Matterhorn, where thousands of tonnes of rock broke away approximately 570 m below the summit. While no injuries were reported, authorities imposed climbing restrictions. The Swiss side has been closed since mid-July, and while the Italian Löwengrat route remains open, a strong warning against ascent has been issued. Local experts cited a combination of low snowfall, early heat waves, and melting ice as contributing factors. In the Mont Blanc region, extreme heat and drought have increased rockfall risks, leading to the death of an alpinist near the Aiguille du Génépi. Intense rockfalls in the Gouter Corridor have caused panic among climbers, prompting the Mayor of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains to order the closure of the Tête Rousse and Goûter shelters. By mid-August 2026, geological instability in the Mont Blanc massif escalated. The ice tunnel at Aiguille du Midi, situated at 3,842 meters, was completely dismantled due to melting, water infiltration, and structural cracks. Additionally, two mountain refuges on the normal route to Mont Blanc were closed due to heightened rockfall risks. Extreme temperatures have also forced a widespread suspension of summer skiing across the Alps. In addition to Zermatt Bergbahnen suspending operations on the Theodul Glacier, the Stelvio Pass in Italy has closed its slopes indefinitely due to safety concerns and the inability to maintain quality standards. On 15 August 2026, the Sifas company confirmed the closure of the Stelvio Glacier slopes, noting that a lack of nighttime freezing and inadequate snow quality have made skiing impossible. This trend of closures is affecting stations in Switzerland, France, Austria, and Norway, leaving indoor slopes as the only remaining option for enthusiasts. indefinitely.

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