10 Reasons to Try an Alpine Summer Holiday

Summer in the Alps?!

Isn’t the Alps all about shredding the powder on your board or skis in the day, eating a potentially fatal amount of cheese fondue in the evening, and then heading out for some stylish and sozzled après-ski at night?

Well, yes – but only between December and April. Now, we’re certainly not knocking a skiing holiday, and we have a fantastic portfolio of luxury ski chalets to prove it! But to write off everything else that can be found in the Alps when there isn’t any snow is just plain madness. The Alps make a fantastic destination at any time of year, but here are 10 reasons why Alpine summer holidays should be next on your travel to-do list!

1. It’s something different

If enquiries to our concierge team are anything to go by, many modern holidaymakers are looking for new ways to spend their hard-earned holiday time. Sometimes, ten days in the Algarve just doesn’t cut it, and the opportunity to experience a beautiful destination in a different way is exactly what holidaymakers are looking for. And hey, there’s definitely some bragging rights to be had when you can talk about “summering in the mountains”…

2. An Alpine summer holiday is spectacular

As the spring air drifts across the mountaintops and the winter snow melts, the entire Alpine landscape changes. The glare of white is replaced by green, and by the time June has rolled around, the grass is thick with swathes of wildflowers carpeting the landscape. It might all sound a bit Sound of Music, but couple those spellbinding views with fresh mountain air, and you have a pretty enticing mix – and that’s before we’ve even mentioned the temperatures…

3. The climate

You’re missing out if you’ve never sunbathed at the top of a mountain. Temperatures on the lower slopes can often soar to the mid-twenties when the sun’s out, and the mountains help provide a natural barrier against clouds and rainfall. So you’ll have the warmth of a glorious climate and captivating views to match; what’s not to like?

4. Going lakeside

If things get a bit too warm (or perhaps you’re missing the sea), Alpine summer holidays have the answer: dozens of beautiful natural lakes. In winter, this would be an invitation to hypothermia. But in summer, they become a playground for adrenaline-boosting water sports (windsurfing and boating) or leisurely cool-down dips. Couple this with some wonderful lakeside towns, waterfront villages, and a beach atmosphere, and you won’t even miss the sand! Mountain holidays are wonderful, but an Alpine summer holiday is next-level since it brings the lakes and mountains together.

5. Hiking & biking

It isn’t only lakeside water sports that offer summer visitors the chance to explore. When the snowdrifts have receded, a huge network of wonderful hiking, walking, and mountain-biking trails are revealed, ranging from easy ambles to a nearby picnic area to high-altitude ice-hikes that will challenge even the most hardened mountaineer.

6. You can still ski if you want to

Yes, that’s right – despite everything else on offer, you can still indulge in some skiing if you feel like it. Some resorts will open up their glacial slopes after the ski season ends. However, avid skiers should be aware that these will usually be very high-altitude slopes and will likely open and close early. After all, nobody wants to ski on slush.

7. An abundance of activities

Heading to the lake or enjoying the scenery on a hike aren’t the only things you can do, either. While a winter visit is mostly relegated to belting down the mountainside on a snowboard or a pair of skis, a whole new set of activities is revealed during an Alpine summer holiday. You could try mountaineering, potholing, mountain biking, abseiling, or paragliding. It’s a great opportunity to indulge in your favourite extreme sports or try them for the first time! And if you prefer something slightly more sedate, many nursery slopes double up as golf courses during the summer, so you can get some rounds in and work on your swing.

8. The kids are catered for too!

Many of the chalets in the Alps are well versed at catering for younger guests during the ski season, so it goes without saying that they’re equally prepared for looking after children during the summer, too. Not only will many of the chalets on offer be equipped with handy accessories such as cots and high chairs, but babysitting is also easily arranged, and many resorts run activity clubs for kids of all ages.

9. And speaking of peace…

Because you’re visiting in the off-season, the Alpine resorts will be less crowded during the summer months. Admittedly, this might mean that some bars and restaurants are closed or have reduced hours, but the establishments favoured by locals will be open as normal (and we’d recommend these anyway!). Who needs packed bars and busy pistes when you can wander around the town like you own it?

10. The price

You’ll also find that an Alpine summer holiday is an incredibly cost-effective way of visiting the region. Many luxury chalets will cut their rates dramatically when skiing isn’t on the agenda, so you can save some pennies while enjoying an under-the-radar European destination. An Alpine summer holiday isn’t just about taking advantage of the region’s off-season – it’s about discovering the other world that’s revealed once the snow has melted.

Tempted by an Alpine summer holiday? Take a look at our summer chalet collection and speak to our concierge team to find out more about summer in the Alps.

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