In all European ski resorts the snowline is creeping up the mountain as spring gives way to summer. Even without snow you can still have fun in the Alps or Pyrenees – mountain biking, hiking, horse-riding, playing golf or just relaxing beside a lake or in a spa.
We have gathered together a handful of summer deals that are too good to miss. It’s also worth bearing in mind that accommodation costs less at this time of year than during the ski season and lift passes are a fraction of the winter prices.
Take a look at our advice on keeping fit between ski seasons and visit our post about the best resorts for summer skiing for tips on where to keep on skiing over the coming months.
We have a few early booking deals starting to come in for next winter, too.
Don’t forget to reserve your airport parking at least 24 hours before you go – this is especially important during peak holiday periods whether in the summer or winter. If you’re flying from Gatwick, Cophall Parking has some offers just for Welove2ski viewers.
Due to readers’ requests, we now also have our ski holiday prices in euros (with the exchange rate correct at the time of writing), although you should contact tour operators direct for a quote that doesn’t include travel from the UK.
Summer in The Alps
Learn to make Apfel Strudel in Lech for £599pp with Inghams
Experience the delights of Austria whilst learning to make Apfel Strudel this summer in Lech. Stay seven nights chalet catering at four-diamond Chalet Hotel Elisabeth from £599pp (761€), saving £90pp (114€), and departing July 30. The price includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and resort transfers. Strudel-making is an extra £28pp (36€). Bookings: Inghams.
Selva from £469pp with Thomson Lakes & Mountains
Stay amid beautiful surroundings in Selva Val Gardena, with seven nights half board at the three-star Hotel Pralong. The price is from £469pp (596€) – save £250pp (317€) and departure is June 1 from Gatwick to Verona with resort transfers. Direct flights also available from Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle. Bookings: Thomson Lakes.
Le Grand Bornand and Lake Annecy area from £216pp with Peak Retreats
Stay for 14 nights from £216pp (274€) – saving £336pp (427€) – in the four-star self-catered residence Village de Lessy, located in the centre of Chinaillon, 6km from the pretty village of Le Grand Bornand. Many of the apartments enjoy wonderful views of the Aravis mountain range in the Lake Annecy Ski Resorts area, 20 minutes from Annecy. The holiday dates are July 9, 16 and 23, August 20 and 27. Bookings: Peak Retreats.
Morzine wellness workshops from £105 per room/night with VIP Chalets
From August 1 to 5, those visiting Morzine will have the opportunity to be utterly pampered as the resort provides introductory workshops in relation to wellness. Holidaymakers can try aqua-biking, zumba, various types of yoga and much more. There’s a choice of self-catered, B&B or half board accommodation. Chalet Kaila is right in the centre of the resort, with access to an outdoor hot tub, sauna and flat-screen TVs in all rooms. The chalet has a smart contemporary living area and four en suite bedrooms sleeping up to 10 people. Prices from £105 (133€) per room per night based on a minimum three-night serviced self-catered stay. Prices for the workshops start from 10€ (£8) for one, 15€ (£12) for two, 20€ (£16) for three, 25€ (£20) for four. Bookings: VIP Chalets.
Val d’Isere apartment from £393 with Pierre & Vacances
Residence Les Chalets de Solaise is located in the centre of Val d’Isere, close to the shops, restaurants and nightlife. From here, you can explore the summer activities available, ranging from hiking and biking to golf, tennis and swimming in the water park. Priced from £393 (499€) per apartment – down from £520 (660€), so that’s a saving of 24% – for a seven-night stay in a studio apartment that sleeps up to four people arriving July 23. Bookings: Pierre & Vacances.
Slovenia 10-night cycle trip from £739pp with Freedom Treks
Provided you book by June 1 you will receive two-for-one bike hire on all Freedom Treks Slovenia tours. Highlighting the Best of Slovenia, this tour stretches from the lakeside mountain town of Bled to the seaside resort of Piran. The rocky limestone peaks, waterfalls, mountain lakes, valley floors, authentic Alpine villages, spectacular castles and the Postojna Caves all make for a captivating tour. This 10-night, 213-mile journey starts at £739pp (938€) B&B on a self-guided basis, staying in mainly four-star hotels and guesthouses. It includes luggage transfer, maps and wine tasting, with departures daily between April and October. Bike hire from £119pp (151€), with e-bikes available. Flights and transfers are not included, but you can fly to Ljubljana with a range of airlines including BA and easyJet. Bookings: Freedom Treks.
Hautes-Pyrenees flexible driving trip from €494pp
Book a trip to the Hautes-Pyrenees, taking in many of the famous Tour de France cols between France and Spain, and to some beautiful sites. The free Road Book is full of practical advice, with addresses for accommodation, information on the best sites to visit, the places for outdoor activities, the spa centres, and the best restaurants. Stay in three- and four-star B&Bs, with a pass that accesses the Grand Sites (Pic du Midi, UNESCO Cirque de Gavarnie, Pont d’Espagne–Cauterets, Noeuvielle Reserve), and an entry to the spa centres. From €494pp (£389) for eight days, €335pp (£264) for five days and €260pp (£205) for three days accommodation. Transport is not included. Bookings: Pyrenees Trip.
Next Ski Season
Tignes family New Year for £4,000 with Esprit Ski
Stay for New Year in the snow-sure resort of Tignes, where Chalet Corniche is now £4,800 (6,096€) for a family of four – it was £5,404pp (6,863€). This chalet has a sauna and hot tub, and is located right next to a ski lift. The price is based on a family of four, (two adults and two children under 12 years) travelling out on December 30 and includes return flights on January 8 from Southampton to Geneva, resort transfers, free wifi, and nine nights catered accommodation. Bookings: Esprit Ski.
Les Arcs from £151pp with Erna Low
Stay for a week in Arc 1950 with seven nights from £151pp (192€). Travel is either via Eurotunnel with a free upgrade to FlexiPlus, rail travel, ferry crossings, or flying from a variety of regional airports with scheduled and low cost airlines. Departure is December 10 and there’s a 20% discount if you book by November 2. Bookings: Erna Low.
Courchevel for £979pp with Ski Total
The tour operator is expanding its catered ski chalet portfolio in Courchevel with the additional of Chalet La Vieille Forge, 200m from the Plantrey run and close to the heart of Courchevel 1850. This chalet is perfect for skiers looking for a quick start to their ski day, and easy access to all the apres-ski. The price is £979pp (1,243€) travelling out on January 8 for one week, including return flights from Gatwick to Geneva, resort transfers, free wifi and seven nights catered accommodation. Bookings: Ski Total.
Sun Peaks from £926pp and discounted lift pass with Crystal Ski
Save £199 in the special two-for-one lift pass deal in Sun Peaks, provided you book by August 31. Accommodation is in three-star Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge, a family-oriented condominium hotel with rooms that can be combined in numerous ways to suit your group. On-site amenities include ski lockers, hot tubs, underground parking and a restaurant. The Cahilty is in a ski-in, ski-out position, close to the shops and a variety of restaurants and shops. The price for a week’s stay is from £926pp (1,176€) including Air Canada flights from Heathrow to Kamloops (via Calgary), departing January 11 and including resort transfers. Bookings: Crystal Ski.
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