I know what you are thinking; the Alps are a winter destination. But have you thought about what happens when the snow melts in the Alps? The mountains become a brilliant destination for an alpine summer holiday! There really is more to the Alps than snow, freezing cold weather and winter sports. Summer in the Alps is full of great activities, warmer weather and excellent value for luxury. Read on to find out our top reasons for a summer holiday in the Alps…
Warm Weather
A summer holiday to the Alps can be just as warm as temperatures you may find in your typical summer destination. However you have the added benefit of the altitude for fresh mountain air, so temperatures don’t feel at all claustrophobic – which is ideal if you are planning on being active during your trip. In fact, the summer temperatures in the Alps are very pleasant and if you get too warm, you can always cool off in the rivers and lakes. If you are like me and can’t sit on a beach for hours and hours roasting, then a summer holiday in the Alps may be the perfect trip for you. If you want to find out more about the alpine weather conditions in the summer, then take a read further to our alpine weather blog.
Relaxing in the Alps
A summer trip to the Alps can be whatever you want to make it, whether that involves walking the routes you’ve skied in the winter or spending most of your time catching the summer rays! One fantastic alternative to spending time on the beach, is spending time lying around fresh water lakes surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. One of our favourites is Lac Montriond, just outside of Morzine, is one of the largest lakes in the surrounding area. The panoramic views of the lake and the neighbouring mountains are breathtaking.
From my personal experience, I found walking in the mountains during the summer very therapeutic so this may be something to consider if you are looking to unwind and detach yourself from the standard daily routines back home. One of my favourite routes is the Matterhorn train in Zermatt, which is a popular trail with the most amazing views. It starts at the top of the Matterhorn Express and travels all the way back down to the centre of Zermatt. Along the way, you are not only blessed with fresh mountain air but also discover the fantastic Schwarzee, a dramatic lake with amazing views of the surrounding mountains – you may even be lucky to spot some mountain wildlife!
Activities in the Alps for the Adventurous
In winter, what would be a thrill seekers playground for skiers, becomes the place to go in summer if you are look for adrenaline boosting alpine activities. There are so many summer activities to enjoy in the Alps, in fact, even more than there is in winter! If mountain biking is your thing, then you will be spoilt for choice thanks to the excellent trails and bike paths across the Alps. This is particularly the case in Morzine which links to the Portes du Soleil area and opens up thousands of kilometres of downhill and cross country trails, bike parks, an extensive lift system and of course beautiful mountain scenery. But it doesn’t end there, you could even try mountaineering, abseiling, white-water rafting, canyoning and if you are feeling particularly adventurous, paragliding. For more inspiration on summer activities in the Alps, take a read of our blog dedicated to alpine activities.
Events in the Alps
During the summer in the Alps, there are endless opportunities to catch a glimpse of some of the popular events of the season. For example, the Tour de France which passes through many of our popular summer resorts or the Mont Blanc Marathon which hosts around 7,000 runners each year, or if you’re into music, there are plenty of popular music festivals in the Alps that echo between the mountains.
Alfresco Dining
After a day of adventure, there is not much better than relaxing back at the chalet and digging into a well-earned evening meal with the family. To top this, during the summer in the Alps, the evenings are fresh but the temperature stays perfect for alfresco dining. Whether it be a BBQ and summer salads, wood-fired pizzas or gourmet-style dining, make the most of the warm temperatures and enjoy the outdoor spaces that many of our luxury summer chalets have. For example, Chalet 46° in Morzine (shown above) has a brilliant space for entertaining and chilling in the summer weeks – it even has a fire-pit for cloudless, chillier evenings.
We do also have some additional chalets which we think have some of the best outdoor spaces such as Chalet Ferme St Christophe, Chalet Twenty26, The Old Macaroni and Bella Coola Estate.
Luxury Summer Chalets in the Alps
We know that accommodation is a very important factor when deciding where to go on holiday and is usually something which can make or break the trip. When skiing is out of the picture, many luxury chalets will reduce their rates dramatically, which is one of the reasons people are drawn to visiting the Alps in the summer. So why not take advantage of the lower prices to splash out on a more luxurious summer chalet? Great examples of value for luxury can be seen below, comparing a typical week’s stay in the winter, to a week in the summer…
Chalet Mimi
Chalet Mimi is one of the most luxurious properties in Lech. The chalet has a traditional alpine style and stunning views across Lech and the imposing mountains. This chalet can be rented for €108,500 Euros, whereas in summer the price is much less at €54,600 Euros.
Zermatt Peak
Zermatt Peak, Zermatt’s premier luxury chalet just minutes away from the centre of Zermatt is priced at approximately CHF 45,500 Swiss Francs for a week during the summer whereas a week during the winter, prices are around CHF 85,000 Swiss Francs.
Chalet Chouqui
Chalet Chouqui is in Chemin de La Bergerie, a quiet corner of Verbier, sleeping up to 20 people. For a standard week in the winter season, this chalet is priced at circa CHF 95,000 Swiss Francs whereas in summer for a week will cost roughly CHF 47,000 Swiss Francs.
Chalet Nyumba
Chalet Nyumba, meaning ‘home’ in Swahili, is a stunning chalet which has arguably the best views of any chalet in Verbier. This property is priced at CHF 38,000 Swiss Francs in the winter, whereas a summer week can be just CHF 25,000 Swiss Francs.
Now I’m certainly not knocking a skiing holiday, but don’t rule out summer in the Alps just because there isn’t any snow. As you can see from the above, there are a lot of reasons head to the Alps in the summer; an alpine summer holiday has a lot to offer for everyone!
If you are tempted and would like some more guidance or a little help in finding a property which suits your group, please feel free to speak with one of our summer Alps specialists and they will be very happy to help you organise a dream summer holiday to the Alps. You can send us an email or call us on +44 1202 203659.
