Thinking about a summer holiday in the Alps? The mountains are just as beautiful – some would say ever more so – as in winter. Activities include road biking and mountain biking, swimming in natural lakes, hiking, golf and horse-riding. It’s a great way to keep your ski-fitness levels going, too
Make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Don’t forget to reserve your airport parking at least 24 hours before you go – this is especially important during peak holiday periods. If you’re flying from Gatwick, Cophall Parking has some offers just for Welove2ski viewers.
It’s also worth finding out what the specialist travel agencies have on offer in the way of early bookings for next winter, such as SNO, Snowfinders and Ski in Luxury.
Summer in the Alps
There’s a seven-night holiday on a half board basis at the five-star Hotel Elisabeth in Mayrhofen from £799pp. Price represents a saving of £440pp (including the flash sale discount) and includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and airport transfers. The package is valid for travel departing on July 20. Bookings: Inghams.
Wengen summer for £460pp with SNO
A seven-night trip to the Beausite Park Hotel in Wengen has been reduced by £460 a head to £743pp departing on September 21. That includes half board, flights from Gatwick and airport transfers. The 4-star hotel is in a peaceful position with stunning Jungfrau views and has an excellent spa. Bookings: SNO.
Les Gets wellness from $65pp per night with VIP Chalets
Experience Ayurvedic Yoga Massage on a wellness retreat to Les Gets. This Ayurvedic Yoga Massage was developed by Barbara at Keolan in the resort. The method combines traditional Indian massage and yoga techniques to create a wholly regenerating experience. The deep tissue massage is followed by stretches drawn from different yoga styles to help rebalance and release tension from the body. Altitude Lodge provides a hub for relaxation, with a bar, terrace, two small private lounges, and private hot tubs. A stay at the Altitude Lodge in June from £65pp per night, based on half board. Prices do not include flights or transfers, but these can be arranged at extra cost. Bookings: VIP Chalets.
Trekking to dairy farms in the Austrian Tirol
This summer a number of selected hiking routes allow visitors to trek between artisan dairies, for example Burgeralm is a functioning dairy that uses milk from cows grazing in the surrounding paddocks to make award-winning cheeses. Aside from tasting the Adler Gold cheese the dairy is famed for, visitors can learn about the farming processes that create the produce. Another favourite is the Wedelhütte restaurant in the Zillertal, a traditional wooden hut that has been awarded five stars thanks to its menu and wine cellar. The property’s terrace offers lovely views of the mountainside for al fresco dining. A seven-night stay at Schuistlhof, starting June 15 costs from £83.90pp (£335.60 total) based on four people sharing on a self-catered basis. Information: Austrian Tirol.
Les Carroz summer from £243pp with Peak Retreats
Les Carroz has a multitude of activities to try, including the free Kedeuze gondola giving access to bike and hike trails, tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course, and a swimming-pool complex. The recently-opened mountain coaster, Speed Dragoz 4 Seasons, lets you to ride solo or in pairs on a toboggan-on-rails descending 850m and starting with a 350m climb. Stay in four-star Chalets de Leana apartments in the heart of the village, with indoor pool, spa, and underground garage. There’s 30% off a second week, and 15% off a third week – all summer. Plus, on selected one-week stays get eight nights for the price of seven. For example, two weeks in a two-bedroom apartment from June 29 is £243pp (was £286pp) based on five sharing and including return standard mid-week ferry crossings. Bookings: Peak Retreats.
Val d’Isere Environmental Day in July
Val d’Isere is taking steps towards a better relationship with its surroundings. Having already replaced old ski lifts with more modern designs, the goal is to have 100 fewer pylons on the mountainside by 2022, and to use responsible snow-canons during the winter. In summer, Vie Val d’Is is hosting its annual Environmental Day on July 16, when a team of volunteers scours the mountainside for litter before sorting it into recycling and waste. Last year saw 1055kg of rubbish removed from the Bellevarde massif and responsibly disposed of. Gloves and sacks are provided and the volunteers get a free lunch after their morning’s efforts. A seven-night stay, arriving July 13, at Residence La Daille is from £68pp (£272 total reduced from £340) based on four people sharing a studio. Bookings: Pierre & Vacances.
Next Winter
£100 off per booking this weekend with Esprit Ski
There’s £100 extra off on bookings made by May 28 – for example, a seven-night ski holiday at the Chalet Alpenblume in Obergurgl is from £2,605 per family (two adults and two children), departing January 4. Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, airport transfers and chalet catering. Bookings: Esprit Ski.
Tignes mid-December from £1,149pp with SNO
An all-inclusive chalet package to Tignes next season starts at £1,149pp. That includes all the main components of your holiday: seven nights chalet accommodation with catering, flights from London Gatwick, resort transfers, your ski pass and equipment rental. The price is based on the week beginning December 14 staying at the nine-person Chalet Annina in Le Lac, which has ski back access and its own sauna. Bookings: SNO.
Samoëns Christmas for £342pp with Peak Retreats
Samoens is a pretty rural village with links to Les Carroz, Morillon, and Flaine. The four-star apartments at La Reine des Prés are well located near the Grand Massif Express gondola, and a five-minute walk from the village centre. Facilities include free access to the private indoor pool and spa. There’s 15% off the week commencing December 21, 10% all other weeks (except February 15 and 22, and not applicable to four-bedroom apartment on the week commencing December 28) when booked by October 31. Seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment is £342pp (was £395pp) including return Eurotunnel crossings with free FlexiPlus upgrade, based on five sharing. Bookings: Peak Retreats.
Les Menuires for £266pp with Ski Collection
Les Menuires has access to up to 600km of piste for all skiing abilities. Stay in the four-star Les Clarines apartments, 100m from the slopes and ski lifts. Facilities include free access to the private indoor pool and wellness area. There’s 10% off all weeks (except February 8, 15, 22 & 29, and not applicable to four-bedroom apartments on week commencing December 28) when booked by October 31. Seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment is £266pp (was £290pp) including return Eurotunnel crossings with free FlexiPlus upgrade, based on five sharing on week commencing April 11. Bookings: Ski Collection.
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