I grew up in the French Alps and therefore my parents made me learn to ski very young. Every Sunday we would go to a ski resort (the closest being a 45min drive from home) so I could take my lesson and improve my techniques.
Needless to say I am very familiar with ski resorts…during winter at least. Little did I know that the same resorts where I ride the slopes in winter are also open during the summer and offer a large selection of activities. I found out about them thanks to my beloved boyfriend, a mountain bike and downhill rider who visits ski resorts but not for the same reasons as I used to.
Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse in August : mountainous region in Austria
Below are the top 5 reasons to visit a ski resort during summer:
1. Diversified activities
During the summer, ski resorts offer all sorts of activities. Here are some of the activities I have been able to practice in the resorts I have visited in the summer:
- White river sports: rafting, hydrospeed
- Aerial activities: paragliding, hot air balloon
- Nature activities: via ferrata, tree-to-tree adventure course, alpine coaster
- Cultural activities: photography exhibition, historical mountain tools exhibition, children activities (ex: learn how to recognize animal tracks), ice cave and ice sculptures…
Paul paragliding over the Alps
Tree-to-tree adventure course: playing Tarzan and Jane
Hydrospeed in Chamonix
The offers are so abundant. Resorts work twice as hard to find the most imaginative and adventurous activities to make you come to their resort instead of the competitor’s. Make your pick and savor the moment in this marvelous environment.
I have never been to Interlaken in Switzerland, but I have done some research for a future trip. It seems this resort has everything you could wish for, including the most epic skydiving school. If you have the opportunity to visit Interlaken, go.
2. Beautiful landscapes
Les 2 Alpes – France
You may have noticed by now, my favorite activity is hiking. It’s a great way to say “I’ve done my weekly exercise” all the while taking in the magnificent vistas that surround me. Bonus point: this activity is totally free and yet so delightful. It gives you a different point of view of a place and it is just awesome to shoot hundreds of pictures to take back home. Whenever I travel, whether it is on the other side of the world or in my local region, I always try to fit in at least one hike during my stay. I grab each opportunity I can for a nature escape and the reason is simple: freedom and dazzling landscape.
Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse in Austria
Sometimes, the hiking trail gets hazardous
3. Resorts host cool events
Like I said, my boyfriend is a mountain bike and downhill rider, which means we often go to ski resorts between April and September to participate/attend worldcup competitions and other bike events: Mountain Of Hell, Crankworks, Velo Vert Festival…
Mountain Of Hell in Les 2 Alpes: Dan Atherton
But it’s not only all about mountain bikes. For example, La Plagne holds the Beton On Fire event which consists of riding the bobsleigh track with roller, longboards or buggy.
Check-out the official website of the resort you want to visit to see their full summer program.
4. Large open spaces and wildlife
If you have ever been to a ski resort during winter, you probably know what it is like to queue to catch the chairlift or cable cars which will take you to the top of the slopes. Once on the slopes, you sometimes have to zigzag between people to get through. It can get annoying.
No need to worry about that, in summer it is far less crowded. You have all the large open spaces to yourself.
The best part of that is that if you are quiet and patient enough, you will spot wild animals such as groundhogs, chamois, eagles… Keep your eyes open for the cute animals.
5. Cheaper in summer
Finally, one of the best arguments which will make you come during summer might be the prices. Accommodation is generally half price for one week rental. Regarding lift passes, they are between 30 to 50% cheaper than in winter. Note that for many activities you won’t even need to buy a lift pass (rafting, paragliding…).
Have I convinced you to try the ski resort during summer ? Which activity would like to do first ?
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