Like the idea of a summer holiday where you swop busy beaches for peaceful mountains, exchange skis or boards for mountain bikes? You’ll also be able to go hiking, road cycling, try watersports, golf, tennis, go horse-riding or try a new fun activity. Accommodation costs less than in winter and you won’t need an expensive lift pass either!
Have 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 go over the coming months.
The deals below range from family holidays to yoga breaks and adrenaline sports for you to try.
Zell am See for £657pp with Thomson Lakes
Stay for seven nights half board at four-star Premium Hotel Tirolerhof in Zell am See with its excellent service, and beautifully furnished using natural materials. £657pp (save £250pp) departing May 30 from Manchester or Gatwick to Salzburg with Thomson Airways. Price also includes transfers. From here it’s also possible to do some summer skiing on the glacier at Kaprun. Further details from Thomson Lakes.
Sainte Foy from £488pp with Premiere Holidays
There’s 15% off holidays in Sainte Foy until May 30. For example, a Chi Kung Energy Retreat is now £488pp (save £86), Alpine Yoga & Healthy Cooking Mini Retreat now £637pp (save £112), Alpine Pilates Holiday now £956pp (save £169), and Yoga Mountain Holiday £786pp (save £139). A Premiere Velo Holidays self-guided week is normally £775pp – but if you book during May you’ll pay £658pp. Accommodation is half-board in either The Peak or La Marquise five-star chalets. On all these summer retreats there is a choice of menu that includes gluten free and vegetarian options. Further information from Premiere Holidays.
St Martin de Belleville from £107pp with Peak Retreats
Participate in a wide variety of sports including ice climbing, Via Ferrata, biking, canyoning, fishing, hydro speed and white water swimming. Stay in Les Chalets du Gypse in St Martin de Belleville from £107pp in a prestigious MGM residence of 30 apartments combining traditional architecture with ultra-modern facilities. Book before May 30 and get 10% off the weeks starting July 4, 11, 25 and August 22. The price is based on five people sharing and includes midweek ferry crossings. More details from Peak Retreats.
Morzine and Les Gets from £165 per night with VIP
This year Morzine and Les Gets have added even more to their already extensive repertoire of summer activities, offering programmes for kids, couples, and families to explore. Kids can try tree-top adventures and teenagers are free to perfect their skills in the brand new skatepark.
Active adults can try trail running and the mountain biking trails; and if adrenaline sports aren’t for you then you can hop onto an all-terrain segway to discover Morzine’s scenery. Prices start from £165 per night for each chalet and guests who book before the end of May can enjoy 10% off seven-night stays, meaning a week’s holiday could cost families £1,040. For more information visit VIP.
Belle Plagne for £476pp with Esprit Sun
Summer family holidays in Belle Plagne cost £476pp based on two adults and two children aged two to ten years. Departure is from Gatwick on August 19 for seven nights. Included are flights and transfers, plus chalet board accommodation in Chalet Hotel Des Deux Domaines with its indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam-room, indoor spa-bath and outdoor hot tubs.
There are free packed lunches on five days of your stay, and soft drinks for kids all day long. Included is a free trip to Lake Annecy, along with free places at the Sun Squad on five mornings a week, and free places at the Sunset Club five evenings a week. Both are for ages three to ten years old. For further information and to book visit Esprit Sun.
Summer Events
Verbier canyoning
Canyoning is a not-so-gentle but refreshing summer activity in Verbier and other Alpine locations. Plunge yourself into the mountain streams via a series of abseil descents, jumps and natural water slides. Make your way along rivers and rapids, using the river bed as a natural obstacle course.
Anyone over the age of eight can take the (very cold!) plunge. With the safety of a guide everyone can abseil down cascades, splash into pools and ride the rapids. Choose from short beginners’ routes or longer ones for the more adventurous. Prices start from 190chf for adults and 130chf for children. For more information visit the Verbier Tourist Office.
Val d’Isere e-bike show
Val d’Isere is holding its inaugural Salon du Vehicle Electrique from July 16 to 19, demonstrating what eco-friendly vehicles can do for a tourist destination. For example, if you decide to climb to the top of the Col de I’Ilseran – at 2270m the highest paved mountain pass road in Europe – you’ll be able to manage it easily on an electronic bike. The show is bringing together some of the top names in the business to celebrate the movement for ecological change. Contact The EV Show for more details.
Early Deals For Next Winter
Hinterglemm from £499pp with Inghams
Stay in Chalet Hotel Pinzgauerhof with a price freeze on last year’s rates until May 31.
The property is in a prime location in the resort of Hinterglemm, beside the gondola and ski hire shop. Launching next is the brand new Tirol S lift which links the ski area of Saalbach-Hinterglemm with Fieberbrunn and adds an additional 43km of piste and 12 lifts to the ski terrain.
Stay for a week on December 12 where the price includes accommodation on a chalet board basis, return flights from Gatwick to Salzburg and resort transfers. Further details from Inghams.
St Anton for £844pp with Ski Total
Ski Total has launched a selection of money-off deals for over this winter’s festive period. Many chalets have had their brochure prices reduced by £50pp, some even by £100pp. For example, enjoy Christmas at Chalet Elfie in St Anton for £844pp (was £899) with flights from Gatwick.
Or see in the New Year at Chalet Marmot in Flaine for £1219pp (was £1319) including flights from Southampton. Many other chalets in France, Italy and Austria have also had their prices reduced as an early Christmas bonus. Prices include return flights, transfers, free wifi and seven nights chalet catered accommodation. More information from Ski Total.
Add Comment