Summertime in the Alps

By Donna Richardson

Les Gets

Les Gets has launched its 2025 summer programme with a focus on cycling and mountain biking Les Gets is a mountain resort situated at 1,172 metres on a sunny alpine pass, featuring two key areas: Mont Chery and Les Chavannes. It offers stunning terrain for hiking and mountain biking, with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc. In addition to outdoor activities, the village has 60 dining options, a cinema, a bowling alley, and four wellness centres. Known as one of the world’s top mountain biking destinations, Les Gets is home to Europe’s largest bike park with over 128 kilometres of trails for all skill levels. The resort regularly hosts prestigious events, such as the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, and was the venue for the 2022 Mountain Bike World Championships. Last year, the resort saw over 500,000 lift rides for mountain bikers. Riders can explore the Portes du Soleil network of trails, which includes marked downhill, cross-country, enduro, and e-bike routes extending into Switzerland. This year’s Bike Festival, Pass’Portes du Soleil, ran over three days (June 27-29), allowing mountain bikers of all levels to participate in guided rides, competitions, and bike testing, alongside music and other festivities that took place in the village. The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup also returns to Les Gets (August 28-31), with XCC Cross-Country, DHI Downhill and XCO Olympic Cross-Country, showcasing the best elite mountain bikers in the world over three adrenaline-fueled days in what has become a classic WC venue on the world tour. Alambike, a charity mountain biking event, will host its 5th edition (June 21-22), with a new 6-hour time trial race and solo or team 24-hour competition, as well as youth and balance bike events. The DH Kids cup (July 5-6) is a downhill MTB event for younger riders aged 7 to 14 and Les Gets Bike Week (July 21-27) is a chance for riders of all levels to try different cycling disciplines in a fun environment. For hikers, the new Planetary Trail offers two options (5.7 km and 8.9 km) that embark on an adventure through the solar system. Faithfully represented to human scale at a one-billionth of their actual size, the planets are laid out around a tall metal structure that symbolises the sun – all with incredible views of Mont Blanc and the other surrounding mountains.

Michel Rostalski, known as The Plant Man, has launched a gourmet trail in Les Gets to explore wild flora, including Yellow Gentian, alpine spinach, and St John’s Wort, used in local mountain tarts.On September 6, the Les Gets Golf Club will celebrate its 30th anniversary, inviting golfers to enjoy a challenging mountain course recently awarded the Silver Golf for Biodiversity label for its sustainability efforts.Don’t miss unique attractions like the Alta Lumina Night Walk, the Museum of Mechanical Music, and the year-round luge. Les Gets is an ideal destination for both active visitors and those seeking relaxation, just an hour from Geneva Airport, offering a variety of accommodations and 60 restaurants.

More information about Les Gets can be found online here: lesgets.com/en 

Morzine

Stay at Chalet Bizet, Morzine with AliKats

Set on the ground floor of a beautifully restored 200-year-old farmhouse, Chalet Bizet combines mountain charm with Parisian elegance, with original wooden beams, bespoke sofas, and a carefully curated interior design ensuring guests feel right at home. The chalet accommodates up to nine guests across two junior suites and one additional en-suite bedroom. It features a spacious living area with stunning views of Morzine, a dedicated bar, and access to an outdoor hot tub and shared sauna (with neighbouring Chalet Debussy). Guests can also enjoy modern conveniences such as a TV with Netflix, an electric car charging point, and a concierge service to enhance their stay. A week’s stay at Chalet Bizet, from 30 August 2025, costs €2,400 / £2,046 total for nine people sharing the chalet on a VIP Catered Package. 
AliKats (0203 514 6012, www.alikats.eu) 
Morzine: https://en.morzine-avoriaz.com/ 

Spend summer in the mountains of Flaine with Summer France 

Swap the beach for the peaks and enjoy a cool, active summer in the French Alps with Ski Summer France. The high-altitude resort of Flaine, perched at 2,500 metres in the Grand Massif, offers crisp mountain air, spectacular scenery and a huge range of outdoor activities during the warmer months. Stay at Résidence Les Terrasses de Veret, ideally located in the heart of the resort. Each self-catered apartment features a fully equipped kitchen, a dining and living area, and a private balcony or terrace with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. After a day of hiking, biking or paragliding, unwind in the indoor heated pool, soak in the outdoor Jacuzzi, or relax by the fire in the communal lounge. Flaine also offers a lively summer atmosphere, with easy access to cafés, bars and restaurants such as the Pente à Jules and Brasserie les Cîmes. A week’s stay, from 25 August 2025, costs £361 total for a one-bedroom apartment sleeping four on a self-catered basis. Flights, transfers, ski hire, lift passes extra.  
Ski France (0203 475 4756, www.skifrance.co.uk)  

Megeve

Stay at Le Chalet Zannier the most exclusive hotel in Megève, France

Like a well-kept secret, Le Chalet Zannier is a 5-star boutique hotel nestled at the foot of Mont d’Arbois, just a stone’s throw from the village. With three intimate chalets housing just 12 suites, it offers an exclusive setting combining refinement and discretion. The hotel’s attentive customer service earned it a Key in the 2024 Michelin Guide. The new spa designed by Dr Barbara Sturm features an indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room, adding to the cosy atmosphere and offering guests an experience where time stands still. Room prices start from €302 / £255 per night with breakfast included for two people. Flights and transfers extra.
Megève: www.megeve-tourisme.fr 

Village – Image copyright of Commune de Megève – Marie Bougault

Austria

Hike the Streif this summer in Kitzbühel, Austrian Tirol

 In summer, the world-famous Streif ski run transforms into the “Streif Live” hiking trail—a 7.7 km route climbing nearly 1,000 metres from Kitzbühel to the legendary start hut, or vice versa. Passing iconic spots like Hausbergkante, Mausefalle, and Steilhang, hikers experience the drama of the World Cup course. Moderately challenging and well-marked, the trail features info points and the option to return via the Hahnenkamm cable car. Early mornings offer solitude, stunning views, and a true goosebump moment at the summit. A seven night stay at HENRI Country House Kitzbühel, arriving 16 August 2025 is priced from £757 pp based on two sharing a double room with breakfast included. Flights and transfers extra.
Kitzbühel: www.kitzbuehel.com/en/

Das Edelweiss

The Hills are alive with the sound of music and the blooming nature of the Grossarltal, Das Edelweiss is the place to stay if you want to relax. Unwind in the Mountain SPA, enjoy culinary highlights and let yourself be inspired by the warm hospitality of the Hettegger family. This 5 star hotel in the Salzburger Land is a great place to explore the land of the Von Trapps and Maria. The steakhouse in Salzburger Land combines sophisticated cuisine with the art of grilling. Awarded two Gault Millau toques, helmed by chef Fabian Ertl. Some of the hotel rooms have their own whirlpool, or a suite with breathtaking panorama and you’ll find earthy colours and natural materials including stone, glass.  Nestled in a quiet side valley of St. Johann im Pongau – it is a starting point for hikes and mountain adventures.

Switzerland

Go to the cheese lover’s dream festival this September in Verbier, Switzerland

If a perfect weekend includes golden, bubbling raclette, crisp mountain air and a celebration of Alpine traditions, then Le Châble is the place to be this September. The weekend of 20 – 21 September 2025 will see more than 15,000 food lovers descend on the village for Bagnes Capitale de la Raclette, one of the largest and most beloved cheese festivals in Switzerland. The stars of the show? Local producers from the Bagnes and Entremont regions, serving up their finest wheels of creamy Raclette AOP, each more delicious than the last. The festival is as much a cultural spectacle as a culinary one. On Sunday, the spotlight shifts to the noble ‘reines’, horned Hérens cows from the mountain pastures parading through the streets in a folkloric procession that’s as photogenic as it is symbolic of this deep-rooted mountain way of life. Expect hearty plates, Alpine music, and plenty of reasons to toast to tradition. A seven-night stay at  A Larze, arriving 19 September 2025, is priced from £437 total, based on two sharing an economy room. Flights and transfers extra.
Verbier: www.verbier.ch