Most Alpine resorts have now closed their lifts, with a few stragglers closing this weekend and a handful of the highest ones – such as Val d’Isere, Val Thorens and Ischgl – enjoying a little more skiing until the beginning of May.
But what if you want more out of the mountains? How about a trip to the Alps in summer? You’ll also be able to go hiking, road cycling and mountain biking, try watersports, golf, tennis, horse-riding and lots of other fun activities. Accommodation is a lot cheaper than in winter and you won’t need to fork out for that expensive lift pass either!
Also see our advice on keeping fit between ski seasons and the best resorts for summer skiing for tips on where to go over the next few months.
Summer in the Alps
Alpe d’Huez from £303 with VIP Chalets
Alpe d’Huez is set a high altitude and these five chalets have been built around a charming cobbled courtyard flanked by mountains and sleep from two to 15 people comfortably. Chalet La Maison sleeps eight in four en-suite bedrooms each with their own balcony and features a wet suite with hot tub and sauna. Self-catered prices start at £105 per room per night, or £303pp based on eight people sharing (total £2,420) for a week’s sole use of the chalet. Breakfast can be added at an additional charge of £7.50pp. With the early booking bonus, the price for a week’s sole use of the chalet would be £2,178. For more information visit VIP Chalets.
Les Deux Alpes from £120 with Peak Retreats
You can ski in Les Deux Alpes from £120pp this summer. Located at the lower end of the resort’s main avenue and the foot of the Pied-Moutet mountain, the newly-built Alba residence is a short walking distance to the nearest shops and some of the 40 restaurants, bars, ice-skating rink and swimming-pool. The main cable-car departure for the ski area is about 1km away. Further details from Peak Retreats.
Zell am See for £775pp with Crystal
Spend a week half board in the premium four-star Hotel Tirolerhof in beautiful Zell am See for £775pp (save £185pp), with departure on June 6 from Manchester or Gatwick to Salzburg with Thomson Airways. Resort transfers are also included. For more information visit Crystal Summer.
Morzine from £504pp with Alpine Elements
A one-week holiday to Morzine now costs from £504pp and includes flights, resort transfers, catered hotel accommodation, free activities and a free lift pass. For more details visit Alpine Elements.
Seefeld from £599pp with Inghams
Seefeld is a traditional village that makes a good base for exploring the rest of Tirol. Four-star Hotel Seespitz is set beside the lovely Wildsee lake, five minutes’ walk from the village square. Stay seven nights half board from £599pp (saving £344pp) departing May 23. Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, a free room upgrade and resort transfers. For more information visit Inghams.
Flaine apartment from £423 with Pierre & Vacances
Les Terrasses d’Helios is set on the mountain in Flaine, with light and airy apartments decked out with retro furniture and traditional Alpine charm. The apartments can sleep four to eight people and all feature either a balcony or terrace. Les Terrasses d’Helios also has a Deep Nature relaxation area, with treatment rooms, sauna, steam rooms and indoor heated swimming-pool. There is also a new on-site shopping centre with a host of restaurants and shops to choose from. Prices start from £423 (saving 20%, down from £528) for a three-bedroom apartment sleeping up to six people for seven nights. Flights and transfers not included. Visit Pierre & Vacances for more details.
Next winter
Les Arcs for £997 with Erna Low
Stay seven nights staying at Le Village, Arc 1950 on a self-catered basis including return flights from London to Geneva, with baggage included, and private transfers from the airport to resort for £997pp (based on four people sharing). The residence has a swimming-pool, sauna, spa facilities and direct access to the slopes. The holiday departs February 13, 2016. Book before November 3, 2015 to take advantage of the offer. Details from Erna Low.
Reberty-les-Menuires from £450pp with Powder N Shine
Next winter you can stay in a revamped Chalet Flocon des Neiges at Reberty Village in the 3 Valleys.
This past winter Chalet Flocon des Neiges slept a maximum of 19 people with a generous living area, but a new layout will mean that the chalet now sleeps between 15 and 17 – making the whole area more spacious. In addition, a new outdoor hot tub is being added to the terrace. A week half board starts at £450pp on December 5. Details from Powder N Shine.
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