By Bethany Hemsley from The Luxury Ski Show
The winter ski season in many European resorts may be coming to an end, but summer holidays in the mountains are becoming ever more popular. Not only do dual-season resorts (those that are open during both the winter and summer months) often offer wonderful summer skiing, but many also present a wide range of other activities to enjoy too, all with breath-taking views.
Think hiking, mountain biking, golf and even wine tasting!
Why limit yourselves to just the winter months when you could enjoy an Alpine holiday all year round? The writers at the Luxury Ski Show present 5 jaw-dropping ski resorts to visit during the summer.
Alpe d’Huez, French Alps
Alpe d’Huez is an excellent ski resort, with 250 kilometres of slopes and an altitude of 3,330 metres. But this resort in the French Alps has risen to fame for something entirely different: cycling.
During the summer, thousands of cyclists descend on the mountains and attempt to conquer “cycling’s most famous mountain”. Having featured in 25 Tour de France stages, this cycle route is not for the fainthearted. Nonetheless, there are plenty of easier routes for those looking for a more leisurely ride.
If an outdoor adventure holiday is what you’re after, then Alpe d’Huez has got you covered. With six stunning lakes, impressive canyons and beautiful mountains, the list of summer activities is endless. Get your pulse racing with some extreme sports like canyoning, white water rafting and paragliding. Or enjoy some peace and quiet as you try and catch your dinner in one of the lakes.
Tignes, French Alps
If skiing is still on your summer holiday agenda, you’ll be glad to hear that Tignes has a summer ski season that runs all the way to August. A large glacier allows skiers to enjoy 20km of pistes, as well as some thrilling cross-country routes, even in the height of summer.
Summer in Tignes is all about adventure and being in the great outdoors. The Tignes Bike Park is perfect for mountain biking, with 160km of exciting trails. There is also a large lake in the centre of the resort which caters for all kinds of water sports.
And it doesn’t stop there. Tignes also holds the title for the highest golf course in Europe! Teeing off at 2,100m above sea level with a breath-taking mountain backdrop has got to be on your bucket list, right?
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italian Alps
Cortina d’Ampezzo is an upmarket Italian resort in the Dolomite mountain range. Nicknamed the “Queen of the Dolomites”, it has gained a reputation as one of the best, and most stunning, resorts in the world for skiing – and it’s hard to dispute. After all, the resort will be hosting the Winter Olympic Games for the second time in 2026!
The town itself is nestled within the dramatic mountain peaks and oozes Italian charm. Boasting unforgettable views, it has attracted visitors for over a century who come to enjoy the many mountain activities on offer all year round.
Not only this, but the city of Venice is also an easy drive or bus ride away, so you can tick off two of Italy’s most beautiful destinations in just one trip.
Zermatt, Swiss Alps
The attractive village of Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn mountain in Switzerland. The village itself is car-free and makes for a refreshing break from the bustle of normal life.
Zermatt is a world-leader when it comes to mountain activities, all of which you can enjoy in the summer too. For one, it is the end point of Europe’s longest piste and summer ski region, “the Matterhorn glacier paradise”, which runs from the Klein Matterhorn all the way to the village of Zermatt. You can also enjoy a ride on Europe’s highest mountain railway – make sure to bring your camera as there are some truly incredible views of the Matterhorn and the Monte-Rosa massif at the top.
And, if you’re a fan of hiking, Zermatt is the final stop on the famous Haute Route – a 400km international hike that starts from Mont Blanc. Other summer activities include cycling and climbing, or you can simply stroll through the village and admire the charming neighbourhoods and 500-year-old buildings.
Sierra Nevada, Spain
No, that’s not a typo – you can actually ski in Spain! With average summer temperatures of 20ºC, the ski season in the Sierra Nevada mountains does tend to finish by April/May, however, the resort certainly doesn’t shut down in the summer.
The Sierra Nevada resort is a perfect family summer getaway, with a range of activities for all ages. Kids and adults alike can try zip-lining, trampolining, cycling, paragliding, horse-riding and climbing to name just a few! You can even brush up on your Spanish and impress the locals at Spanish language classes on the resort.
What’s more, you’d only be an hour or so from some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean, and just 35 minutes from the Moorish city of Granada.
A good investment?
So, you now know that many ski resorts offer much more than just skiing, but are dual season resorts a good location to buy property?
Here at the Luxury Ski Show, we certainly think so! Ski properties are some of the most lettable forms of real estate, so having them sit empty for half of the year is the last thing you want to do.
Dual season resorts, like the five we’ve mentioned above, give you the best chance of year-round occupancy. They also mean you don’t have to choose between enjoying the property yourself and renting it out to guests. Why not hit the slopes in the winter and rent the property out in the summer? Or vice versa. As we’ve seen, these resorts attract thousands of people in the summer months, such as pro cyclists and keen golfers.
Luxury Ski Show Virtual Event
Do you have further questions about purchasing a ski property? Hear from international snow and ski experts at The Luxury Ski Show virtual event.
The only online event of its kind, you can visit the Exhibition Hall, Lounge and Seminar Theatre all from the comfort of your sofa. The event will feature international real estate agents, lawyers, currency specialists and IFAs, among many others.
