A ski holiday always makes for a thrilling winter getaway, but you know what just might trump it? A summer sojourn to snowless slopes. Visiting a renowned ski destination without having to pack a puffer coat or moon boots is truly an unsung delight—and for those like me who have yet to successfully graduate from the bunny hill, it provides the opportunity to experience a scenic location that doesn’t end in a defeated shuffle to après.
When you think about it, the appeal of an off-season ski destination is fairly innate. “Not to state the obvious, but better weather,” Abercrombie & Kent Europe product manager Liam Dunch remarks on the topic. During the summer, days are sunnier and longer, making it easier to enjoy a breadth of activities. “You have the ability to walk, swim, kayak, or canoe in some of the most picturesque areas where there is snow and ice in the winter months,” he adds. If you’re a nature enthusiast, this means carte blanche to enjoy the mountains without fear of frostbite or avalanche (always a bonus).
“In the warmer months, the mountainous terrain of many ski towns lends itself well to adventure travel,” Black Tomato owner and co-founder Tom Marchant concurs, offering recreational amusements like hiking, biking, and zip lining as ways visitors can take advantage. “These places are so magical in the off-season that people are known to ‘come for the winters but stay for the summers,’” Marchant says.
And it’s not just the good weather—visits to off-season ski destinations can have perks ranging from fewer crowds to lower rates on airfare and accommodation. “Winter travel was at an all-time high demand last year, so these off-season perks are not to be downplayed,” Marchant notes. When I ask TravelLocal co-founder Huw Owen about this, he emphasizes that “Europe’s top mountain destinations have become increasingly crowded in the winter months, while being overpriced and offering a limited window for optimal ski conditions.” The solution, of course, is to pivot to the off-season, which is what many have done in recent years.
“Visiting ski towns in the summer definitely drew many crowds as we emerged from lockdown,” Indagare CEO and Founder Melissa Biggs Bradley says. “Now, even with travel abroad booming once more, ski towns still remain a popular option for people who love active outdoor vacations and for those who hope to avoid crowded beaches.” It’s also well-suited for wellness seekers, as the spa really hits its stride in traditional ski towns such as St. Moritz. “Outdoor yoga is unlikely after skiing, but after a morning of hiking or kayaking imagine spending your afternoon immersed in luxe spa treatments (some offered outdoors to take advantage of the gorgeous weather) or a poolside lunch and sunset yoga, making for a well-balanced day in nature,” Abercrombie & Kent senior tailor-made product specialist Alison Duray says.
For all the latest fasion News Click Here
