We’ve long believed that summer holidays in the tranquil French Alps are one of the best kept secrets in travel. Long days punctuated only by the sound of cow bells, afternoons spent on blissful terraces and dusk exploring stunning alpine trails... if you’re looking for a different kind of summer holiday this year, look no further. Here’s five reasons to explore the mountains this season.
1 - For families of all ages and stages
With the perfect Alpine Resorts accommodation as your base, families thrive in the mountains. The ski lift network that you’re used to using during the winter months reopens during the summer season and children from the age of 1 year old can ride the summer lifts with their parents. This gives you the opportunity to explore with ease, plotting routes that suit the ages and abilities of your little ones. Typically, the prices to access the summer lift networks in each resort are much lower than during the winter season, and in Val d’Isere, summer lift passes are actually free of charge!
Our expert concierge team in each resort can help you plan suitable excursions, with those all-important lunch stops of course! But it’s not just about walking... in Les Gets, Courchevel, Meribel and Val d’Isere there are a number of mountain lakes or activity swimming pools by which to rest during the warm afternoons.
2 - For Tour de France lovers
Le Tour de France is the most-watched annual sporting event in the world and the mountain stages pull in a vast global audience of road cycling fans. Les Gets recently hosted a stage depart of Le Tour, making its mark as a first class road cycling destination. Explore the famous Col de Joux Plane, the challenging Col de Joux Verte or simply explore the perfectly tarmac roads surrounding the village.
Similarly, Courchevel is no stranger to the peloton, having featured on Le Tour in 2023; who can forget those spectacular scenes as stage 17 concluded at the top of the Col de la Loze - also known as the ‘roof’ of Le Tour in 2023. Of course no day in the saddle is complete without a restoring and rejuvenating massage at the end. You’ll find our therapists at Spa Kinabalu in Les Gets and at Spa Manali are well-skilled in helping to relieve those aches and pains so you’re ready to cycle another day.
3 - For thrill seekers
During the summer months, pistes become trails and the mountains are best explored on two wheels. Cross country and downhill mountain biking are superb ways to achieve your adrenalin fix while also exploring the beauty of the mountains. Across Les Gets, Courchevel, Val d’Isere and Meribel you’ll find mountain bike trails graded like pistes to entice riders of all ability levels, from complete beginners on green trails to more advanced, technical riding on black trails. All resorts also have expertly-prepared bike parks in which you can practise your tricks and our concierge team would be happy to link you with expert local guides to help you make the most of your trip. Of course all Alpine Resorts accommodation comes with handy bike storage cellars to keep your equipment safe - and away from your living space!
4 - For relaxation and wellness
Of course, you’re not obligated to cycle up hills, hit big jumps or even bring your children on holiday with you. Retreating to the mountains is as old as time, and many of our guests feel a deep sense of relaxation and wellness when they arrive to stay with us. In Courchevel we regularly host yoga sessions on the deck at Manali and certainly our spa therapists encourage a slower pace with restorative treatments to help you unwind from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Meanwhile at Spa Kinabalu in Les Gets, Qi Gong initiations are hosted by our experts each Wednesday between 10am and 11am and are priced at €17 for Alpine Resorts guests. Groups are for a maximum of six people and advance reservation is required by calling +33 (0) 4 80 94 70 53 or visiting the Spa Kinabalu reception. Self-guided itineraries are also available, with slow walks through woodlands and to magnificent viewing platforms that help you become one with the natural elements. And of course afternoons are best spent on a sunny balcony with your favourite book.
5 - They’re available to book now
With summer holidays increasing in popularity, you’ll discover that our four Alpine Resorts destinations are now available to book online, with ease. Each property in Courchevel, Les Gets, Val d’Isere and Meribel displays live availability to help you select the perfect date and destination. And to encourage you to stay a little longer in the mountains, we offer a 20% reduction on your luxury accommodation when you stay for two weeks, and an exciting 30% reduction for stays of three weeks or more. This offer is valid on reservations booked before 1st September 2024 for holidays between 22nd June and 15th September 2024. Note that this offer cannot be combined with any other special offers this summer and is valid on a selection of our Alpine Resorts apartments.
The entire team at Alpine Resorts would be delighted to welcome you to the mountains this summer. We’re also very happy to answer your questions and offer recommendations on which destinations and properties might suit your group. You can contact us at any time by calling +33 (0) 4 80 94 95 96.