Popular ski resorts that really come to life in summer

More than just skiing

With the summer finally here, most will be dreaming of beach holidays and tropical escapes, so a ski resort might not be high on your list. However, beyond the ski season, many tried-and-tested winter resorts make perfect summer destinations. With sun-drenched mountain vistas, some of the best hiking trails in Europe, and a plethora of outdoor activities, you'll be surprised how much is on offer.

Click through the gallery to discover our favorite ski resorts that turn into lush mountain havens in summer...

Alpe d’Huez, France

One of the oldest ski resorts in the French Alps and a popular destination in winter, Alpe d’Huez feels just as vibrant in summer. During the warmer months, a 9-hole golf course is open, featuring a large driving range, pro-store, and a clubhouse serving snacks and drinks, and hosting regular competitions.

There are plenty of other outdoor pursuits, including mountain biking, rambling, and horse riding too. 

Breuil-Cervinia, Italy

Near the top of the Aosta Valley, Breuil-Cervinia can be found in northwest Italy. And thanks to its soaring altitude, the resort's 15 miles of slopes are open for "winter" sports throughout the warmer months too.

You can also get active with hiking, biking, and paragliding, looking out across miles of unspoilt wilderness as you go. 

St Anton, Austria

One of the oldest and finest ski resorts in the Alps, St Anton is renowned for its lively après ski scene, impressive snow, and superb ski slopes in winter. But summer here is equally as exciting. The resort is even prettier in the warmer months, when skiing is swapped for thrilling hikes up the mountain.

Whether you fancy a scenic stroll or a challenging climb, there are more than 249 miles of trails to discover, slicing through some of the dreamiest scenery in the Austrian Alps.

Zermatt Ski Resort, Switzerland

With its highest point thrusting to a whopping 12,792 feet, Zermatt is among Europe's tallest and largest ski resorts, and it's one of the few skiing destinations that boasts world-class skiing in all seasons. Visitors to Zermatt, which sits at the foot of the Matterhorn, can ski 365 days a year, while snowboarders and freestylers can test their skills at one of the highest freestyle parks in the Alps.

From discovering a glittering glacier palace to riding the world’s highest 3S cableway, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. 

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA

Nestled in a verdant valley in Wyoming, there’s more to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort than incredible ski slopes. In summer, the snow melts away and the mountains are carpeted in colorful wildflowers.

Visitors can take the Bridger Gondola or the Aerial Tram up the mountain and be rewarded with some of the best views in Jackson Hole. Other summer activities include climbing, paragliding, fly fishing, and a ropes course.

Les Arcs, France

Set in a 300-year-old Swiss stone pine forest, Les Arcs is transformed into an outdoor playground for nature lovers in summer. Whether it’s mountain biking, walking on one of the many trails, or golfing with incredible Mont-Blanc views, the famous French ski resort offers plenty for summer adventurers.

The mountains come alive with wildlife including birds, mountain deer, and alpine hare. A wide range of facilities and activities are available for children, including a swimming pool, circus, and adventure park. A seven-day Hero Pass costs from around $49.

Sun Valley, Idaho, USA

Known for its glorious natural beauty, Sun Valley is often ranked as one of North America’s top winter resorts and it has plenty to offer in the warmer months too. You can bask in the summer heat while you go horseback riding or flyfishing, all in the incredible setting of the Rocky Mountains of Central Idaho.

The resort is also home to one of the only year-round outdoor ice rinks in the US, and Sun Valley’s summer events calendar is filled with concerts, festivals, and film screenings too.

Méribel, France

Set within the stunning Alpine valley of Les Allures in France, Méribel is a sparkling jewel of Les 3 Vallées, the world’s largest ski area. During summer, as the snow disappears, the charming resort is a mecca for walking, hiking, and horseback riding.

One of Méribel's biggest summer attractions is its challenging 18-hole golf course, which is set against a beautiful mountain backdrop. There's a lively cultural calendar featuring music and festivals too.

Mont Tremblant, Canada

Situated at the foot of the majestic Tremblant peaks near Montréal, this popular Canadian resort is a four-season holiday destination. Summer activities at Mont Tremblant range from water skiing and kayaking in the clear waters to hiking and climbing up the mountains. 

Action Tremblant’s zipline adventure offers nature lovers the opportunity to whizz through the treetops too. 

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Vail, Colorado, USA

With its magnificent mountain backdrops, premier golfing, and pretty rivers and streams, Vail in summer is not to be missed. One of Colorado's best-known ski resorts, it has more than 5,000 acres of terrain, encompassing rugged mountains and gorgeous waterfalls, and it's a great place for summer hiking or mountain biking. 

At the top of the Eagle Bahn gondola is Epic Discovery, a vibrant recreation center home to the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster, which winds 3,400 feet around the peaks. There's also mini-golf, tubing, and bungee trampolining. 

Coronet Peak, New Zealand

Just a short drive from Queenstown, New Zealand’s first commercial ski area has been welcoming winter visitors for more than 50 years. Those who fancy some snow will be right at home at Coronet Peak, whose ski season runs from June until October. 

Alongside skiing, visitors can rent a yooner, which offers a fun mix of skiing and sledging, and travel down the mountain in style. You can also take a gondola ride to Summit View Point and enjoy the famous views at sunset. 

Val Gardena, Italy

Incredible mountain lakes and lofty peaks await at Val Gardena, the ideal resort in summer. An outdoor paradise in the heart of the Dolomites, Val Gardena offers world-class hiking, biking, and climbing opportunities, especially in the warmer months.

Beyond the rugged mountain scenery are the towns of Ortisei, Selva di Val, and S. Cristina. The picturesque small towns are dotted with artisanal stores and restaurants serving up delicious local dishes. 

Lake Louise, Canada

A gem of Canada’s Banff National Park, Lake Louise draws millions of visitors throughout the year, and it's a joy in both summer and winter. The area is a haven for wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, black bears, and mountain goats, and the Lake Louise gondola is a great place for animal spotting. 

Those wanting a more fast-paced activity can take an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip down Kicking Horse River – the perfect way to cool off. 

Niseko, Japan

Japan’s number one ski resort is beautiful no matter the season. The Shiribetsu River runs right through it so, during the summer, Niseko is a paradise for outdoor water activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, and kayaking.

The beautiful river also offers some of the best whitewater rafting in Asia. Hiking trails for all abilities slice through the landscape, many leading to picturesque lookouts and roads offering stirring views across Niseko.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

Seen as the winter playground of the international jet set, St. Moritz is just as glamorous in summer too. In fact, the Swiss resort town started out as a summer holiday destination due to its healing natural springs.

Today, it's brimming with history and culture, with art galleries, stores, restaurants, and cafés to explore. Thanks to the Maloja wind, pretty Lake Moritz becomes a paradise for sailing in summer and is dotted with boats, paddleboarders, and swimmers. 

Mount Hood Resort, Oregon, USA

Located on the tallest mountain in Oregon, Mount Hood Resort has a ski season that never ends. Few North American resorts have the elevation or weather conditions necessary for year-round skiing, but Mount Hood visitors can enjoy shredding the slopes even in July.

Alongside skiing and snowboarding, there's a lot to enjoy here, from hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to discovering the woodland routes of the Timberline Bike Park.

Val Thorens, France

At an altitude of 7,546 feet above sea level, Europe’s highest resort offers more than just winter skiing. For adventurers, budding explorers or those wanting to relax, Val Thorens has it all.

The resort offers a wide range of summer activities such as tennis, mini-golf, paragliding, and hiking. Trails also take walkers past sparkling lakes, jagged mountains, and open greenery, offering some of the best views in the French Alps.

Portillo, Chile

If you’re looking for something a little different for a summer getaway, South America’s first ski resort may be the perfect place. It's just over a two-hour drive from Chile's capital Santiago, and the ski season here runs from June until September – that makes it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts and both national and international ski and snowboarding teams.

The centerpiece of the resort is the historic yellow-hued Hotel Portillo, on the edge of Inca Lake. Activities on offer include wine tasting, hiking, yoga, and rock climbing at the hotel’s climbing wall.

Breckenridge, Colorado, USA

Colorado’s quintessential mountain destination, Breckenridge offers fun-filled adventures throughout the year. Summer in Breckenridge typically brings beautiful weather and sun-splashed green slopes. 

For adventurers, the Epic Discovery park is the best way to make the most of the resort during summer. Fun facilities include mountain coasters, alpine slides, climbing walls, and more. Another draw is Breckenridge's charming historic downtown, set against the mighty Five Peaks.

Morzine, France

Part of the vast Port du Soleil ski area, one of the largest ski and mountain biking areas in the world, Morzine straddles the France-Switzerland border. In summer, the resort’s 404 miles of ski slopes become thrilling trails for hiking and mountain biking.

Adrenalin junkies can have a go at the dizzying Fantasticable zip line, which speeds across the mountains at 60 miles per hour, from the top of the Chaux Fleurie chair lift. Other summer activities include golf, swimming, canoeing, and a high ropes adventure course. 

Whistler Blackcomb, Canada

With over 155 miles of slopes, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest resort in North America. From alpine hiking to running trails, the resort has many summer activities to keep you entertained.

One of the biggest attractions of the season is the Guinness World Record-holding PEAK 2 PEAK gondola. Stretching across the peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb, the gondola, at 1.88 miles long, is the longest unsupported lift span of its kind in the world. The gondola provides unparalleled views across volcanic peaks and coastal rainforests.

LAAX, Switzerland

LAAX, one of Switzerland’s biggest resorts, is also one of the country’s best summer destinations. More than 143 miles of mountain bike trails and over 124 miles of hiking trails lead to an array of scenic lookouts, offering panoramic views across the Graubünden mountain scenery and beyond.

Other highlights in summer include the spectacular Rhine Gorge, also known as the Swiss Grand Canyon, which draws hikers and river rafters from all over the world.

Hakuba, Japan

Often overlooked in favor of Japan’s bustling cities, the winter resort of Hakuba, with a beautiful mountain setting in the Japanese Northern Alps, is vibrant year-round. During the green season, the resort has some of the best lift-accessed mountain biking in the country, with plenty of challenging trails to discover. 

Flanked by lush forests, its lakes are also a haven for water sports such as fishing, paddle-boarding, and kayaking.

Sierra Nevada Resort, Spain

Europe's most southerly resort lies on the north-facing slopes of Spain’s third-highest mountain – and due to this prime location, the Sierra Nevada Ski Resort receives plenty of sunshine all year long, with temperatures around 68°F to 77°F in the warmer months. 

Tubing, roller coasters, and cycling are just a few of the summer activities to enjoy. For families, the Mirlo Blanco area, home to a wide range of activities and events including the mini-Olympics, is open during summer too.

Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont, USA

Perched atop Mount Mansfield, this year-round resort in Vermont is steeped in natural beauty. Summer visitors to Stowe can ride the gondola to the mountain peak or enjoy an adrenalin rush from one of the longest ziplines in the US.

For family-friendly activities, there’s the Climbing Center with climbing walls for all abilities and a variety of scenic hiking trails. 

Sölden, Austria

Home to three mountains over 9,842 feet, Sölden brims with stunning sights. And it really comes into its own in the warmer months. More than 186 miles of hiking trails wind around the mountains, past lush alpine meadows, glaciers, and rugged terrain. 

Some may recognize the resort and surrounding area from the James Bond thriller Spectre. Located on the 10,000-foot Gaislachkogl peak is the 007 ELEMENTS James Bond Adventure World. The unique installation offers visitors an insight into the film through a series of high-tech interactive galleries.

Chamonix, France

Chamonix draws adrenalin junkies from across the globe all year long. Lying in the Haute-Savoie region of France and dominated by Mont Blanc, the resort has everything you could want from an alpine retreat. The area is renowned for its incredible 217 miles of hiking trails, the pretty waters of the Avre River and its picture-perfect village.

Attractions include the family-friendly Magic Forest which features trampolines for kids and a Maxi Bungy for grown-ups. There are also guided hikes with Siberian huskies. 

Grindelwald, Switzerland

Stretching over the mountains between Grindelwald and Wengen, this picturesque Swiss resort has heaps to offer visitors in summer. Grindelwald village is the epitome of a typical Alpine village, with wooden chalets with sharply pitched roofs set against a beautiful mountain backdrop.

Hotels, cafés, and stores line the pretty streets, providing the perfect base for exploring the region. Hiking, biking, and climbing are the go-to summer activities for discovering Grindelwald’s spectacular waterfalls and jagged peaks. 

Obertauern, Austria

Set within Austria’s Hohe Tauern mountains, Obertauern is the country’s only purpose-built resort. Characterized by its steep climbs, blissful mountain scenery, and more than 174 miles of hiking trails, Obertauern is an ideal summer destination for the whole family.

There are stunning alpine pastures to explore, best viewed on a cable-car ride up one of the peaks or on a leisurely horseback ride through the greenery. For those who want to relax and unwind, there's mountain yoga too. 

Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany

Tucked away in the Alps, Garmisch Partenkirchen is one of Germany’s best ski resorts. Home to glacial lakes, gorges, and diverse mountain landscapes, the resort is a dreamy place to visit when the snow has melted.

And with its epic waterfalls and rapid basins, the Partnach Gorge is one of the region’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Visitors can take a scenic hike to see the gorge up close.

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