How Mountain Resorts Are Developing for Summer Vacations ?
22 July 2024 • 3 min read
The Development of Mountain Resorts for Summer Vacations
The Evolution of Mountain Resorts: From Winter to Summer
Diversifying the Activities on Offer
The vast snowy plains have a particular, pristine charm that draws in countless nature lovers every year. Thrill-seekers also appreciate these wild, seemingly untouched territories for the sporting activities offered the ski resorts.
The main leisure activities include, of course, skiing, which is accessible to both young and old, beginner and professional, and continues to delight winter enthusiasts. As well as this sport, you can also experience the joys of luging, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, dog sledding, and more. There is no way you can ever be bored in the sparkling snow of the Alps!
Adapting the Infrastructure for Summer
In recent years, to maintain this tourist appeal throughout the year, some resorts have started offering activities during the summer. These are also outdoor activities that are sure to delight more adventurous visitors.
For example, summer tobogganing takes place on rails and sends you flying down the beautiful valleys while you take in the sunny panorama. Other popular sports include the classics such as hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, canyoning, and climbing.
The Challenges of Summer Development for Mountain Resorts
Economic and Social Challenges
In the past, mountain resorts were only popular during the winter. While resorts remained closed during the sunny season, restaurants, activity centers, cultural spaces, and shops also lost out. This made it difficult to establish a luxury services sector and a premium real estate market.
The promotion of summer activities was therefore essential to meet the economic and social challenges of these beautiful regions – particularly in the Alps.
Environmental Challenges and the Impact on Biodiversity
Biodiversity is a major concern for the inhabitants of mountainous areas, and resorts strive to minimize their environmental impact. Preserving the charm of the Alps and its wild nature is therefore a priority for tourism stakeholders across the region.
As a result, sports offered during the summer often take place on ski slopes, such as summer tobogganing and hiking. Luxury chalets are also beginning to embrace new approaches by focusing on eco-responsibility with solutions such as sustainable materials and improved locations.
Examples of mountain resorts that have successfully developed summer activities
Courchevel: Overview and Actions
Courchevel is among the few resorts that have managed to extend their activities into the summer. At 4,600 feet of elevation, you can now try your hand at experiences such as hang-gliding, canyoning, rafting, dirt scooters, climbing, golf, hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding.
Méribel: Overview and Actions
Nestled at 4,750 feet of elevation, Méribel offers a whole host of summer events that will delight families. You can discover a number of farms, meet bees and marmots, and even try pottery workshops and cooking classes. On the sports side of things, the hiking trails are varied, group outings are organized for mountain biking, and you can also go paragliding or rock climbing.
Auron: Overview and Actions
Auron, which sits at 3,600 feet of elevation, keeps its ski lifts open all year round, so you can easily explore the upper areas of this beautiful resort. Many sporting activities are supervised by certified instructors, enabling you to enjoy mountain biking, climbing, archery, canyoning, and more!
The mountains are clearly no longer sought-after destinations in winter alone; they are equally appealing in summer! If you are looking to find a cozy nest in a splendid natural setting where it is impossible to get bored, the mountain resorts are waiting for you.
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