Swiss-Ski athletes are continuing training on the Theodul Glacier via special arrangements using snowmobile transport after summer skiing was suspended indefinitely due to extreme heat destabilising lift infrastructure. Meltwater is threatening the stability of cable car masts on the Plateau Rosa, Swiss-Ski co-CEO Walter Reusser told the Walliser Bote, noting the situation echoes the summer 2022 disruption when similar conditions forced a previous closure.
The closure has squeezed alternative options. Up to 600 athletes recently crowded onto the few remaining open pistes in Saas-Fee, before that resort also shut completely on 1 August due to snow shortages and exposed crevasses. Double Olympic champion Federica Brignone shared striking footage of the deteriorating Plateau Rosa glacier field.
Foreign federations without Swiss-Ski's logistical advantages face harder choices. The Austrian Ski Association is sending its first delegation to South America shortly, where Chile and Argentina offer deep winter snow cover.