When the ski season ends and the snow melts away, your favourite ski resorts transform into vibrant summer holiday destinations for adventurous and laid-back travellers alike. From relaxing spa trips to active mountain biking or hiking holidays, the Alps come alive in the summer months with warm-weather mountain-lovers. But, over the summer, skiing is still front of mind – you can enjoy glacier skiing in several high-altitude resorts and preparations for the next winter season begin!

Read on to discover what the Alps are like in the summer, some of the best resorts to visit in the summer months and how your favourite ski resorts prepare for the next ski season.

Preparation for the Winter Ski Season:

Lift Closures

In some resorts, when the ski season is over the lifts are removed from the cables and stored over the summer to ensure they are kept in good condition for the following ski season. Other resorts will keep certain lifts running for use by mountain bikers and hikers. Some resorts will simply leave the lifts as they are, perhaps carrying out routine maintenance work before they reopen fully for the next winter season.

Snow Melt Management

As the snow begins to melt, resort staff will need to manage the water runoff to prevent erosion and ensure that melting snow does not damage any infrastructure. This can involve building water flow control structures, such as retaining walls or sediment ponds and carefully monitoring the water levels and flow rates.

Maintenance and Repair Works

Summer is the ideal time for the resort workers to carry out repairs and upgrades to lifts, ski slopes and other infrastructure. This work can include everything from replacing worn out machinery, to repairing lift towers and even re-landscaping to change the shape of a piste or making new pistes all together. The resorts might also use this time to build new lifts and expand the resort’s capacity.

Preparation for Summer Activities:

Many ski resorts offer a variety of summer activities such as hiking, mountain biking and golf. When the snow melts, preparations for these activities include creating and maintaining trails, preparing golf courses and setting up equipment for adventure sports. This could include building new hiking trails or adding obstacles for adventure sports.

What are the Most Popular Resorts in the Alps for Summer Activities?

St Moritz, Switzerland

St Moritz is a luxury ski resort that draws in crowds year-round. The resort offers lots of summer activities including hiking, mountain biking and horse riding and also holds several outdoor festivals and events throughout the summer months.

Livigno, Italy

Livigno has a great atmosphere during the summer. You can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, zip lining and rock climbing. The resort is also known for its fantastic range of tax free shopping and excellent bars and restaurants.

Zell am See, Austria

Zell am See offers a range of summer activities including hiking, mountain biking and golf. The lake in Zell am See also gives visitors the chance to enjoy watersports such as swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding.

The 3 Valleys

During the summer, resorts in The 3 Valleys including Courchevel, La Tania, Meribel, Orelle, Les Menuires, Val Thorens and Saint Martin de Belleville, offer activities such as hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, golf, white water rafting, adventure parks and scenic chairlift rides with beautiful mountain views.

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