As summer temperatures soar in central and southern Europe, holidaymakers are increasingly turning to traditionally winter resorts for their summer holidays.

Many of the regions better known for their snowy slopes offer a refreshing alternative to the scorching heat of those popular Mediterranean beach holidays.

Instead of flopping around on a sun lounger, stuffing your face with ice cream, and quaffing so many pina coladas you’re starting to look like a pineapple, it’s definitely worth considering a winter destination. Enjoy less intense climates, stunning landscapes, and a huge choice of exciting cultural experiences.

The vision…

Last December, I visited the Edelweiss Hotel in Grossarl, Austria. It was winter, with skiers everywhere and the whole place felt extremely beautiful in that sparkly Christmas card kind of way. Of course, there was no denying it was beautiful. But I couldn’t help but wonder what the place would be like in the summer.

I imagined being surrounded by lush green valleys (instead of white slopes), sipping chilled wine on the terrace, soaking up the sun but breathing in the crisp clean alpine air. Hikes and long strolls would be easier without the snow. And the summer temperatures would be far more bearable.

Summer in the Austrian Alps?

I asked hotel staff about summer at the hotel. They confirmed that it was truly stunning, and increasingly busy mid-year. Warmer too, of course, with temperatures typically in the high 20s to low 30s. More manageable than the oppressive 40 degrees increasingly happening in many parts of southern Europe.

Hotel Edelweiss in summer

Hotel Eidelweiss in summer

Their comments highlighted a growing trend: winter destinations are becoming sought-after summer retreats.

The Austrian Alps, for example, offer a perfect summer escape with crystal-clear lakes, flower-strewn meadows and hiking trails that provide a fun alternative to fighting your way through crowded coastal resorts. Beyond nature, the area is culturally rich too, from Salzburg’s Mozart heritage to Vienna’s historic palaces. Summer in the Alps also brings practical advantages; fewer tourists, better travel deals, and a wider range of activities.

An Austrian haven

At the Edelweiss Hotel, a four-star superior retreat in Grossarl Valley, it’s possible to experience this transformation firsthand. By day, you can hike trails scented with pine and wildflowers in the Hohe Tauern National Park, followed by schnitzel and apple strudel at alpine restaurants.

Featuring wooden beams and a valley-view balcony, my room felt like a cosy sanctuary in winter, but with the balcony doors flung open, it’s still cool and airy, but nicely warm too. The hotel’s wellness area, open all year round, featuring a panoramic sauna and infinity pool, offering total relaxation with views of rolling meadows. Dedicated summer programmes, including e-bike rentals and farmers’ market visits, add to the appeal, making the Edelweiss a perfect introduction to Austria’s summer charm.

Other summer wonderlands

This ‘summer hols in winter resorts’ trend extends far beyond Austria however. With each summer getting hotter and the winters milder, travellers are keener than ever to seek out new options and explore destinations they may not have considered before.

Great Mont Blanc glacier with Lac Blanc in summer. Location, Chamonix

A few places include Åre in Sweden, Chamonix in France, and Banff in Canada offer cool summer climates. They’re typically 20–25°c and as well as this more temperate weather, also offer healthy experiences, such as hiking, biking and cultural experiences. These destinations cater to adventurers and relaxaholics alike, with activities ranging from lake-kayaking to checking out historic towns and local music festivals.

Top summer destinations in winter havens

1. Grossarl, Austria (Hotel Edelweiss). Hike or bike in the Hohe Tauern National Park, relax in the spa, or enjoy cultural experiences like farmers’ markets. The hotel’s pools and cozy alpine charm make it a summer standout.
2. Åre, Sweden. Explore lush trails, paddle Åresjön Lake, or immerse in Sami culture. Mild temperatures and food festivals create a vibrant summer scene.
3. Chamonix, France. Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc or paraglide under Mont Blanc. Cool weather and lively markets make it a refreshing escape. Home | Chamonix
4. Banff, Canada. Kayak on Lake Louise, spot wildlife or ride the Banff Gondola. Summer arts festivals add cultural depth. Banff & Lake Louise Tourism | Official Destination Website
5. Queenstown, New Zealand. Enjoy bungee jumping, lake cruises or winery tours in mild summer weather (December–February). Queenstown New Zealand | Official Tourism Website
6. Hakuba, Japan. Hike the Northern Alps, relax in hot springs, or attend summer festivals, all in a cool 25°C climate.
7. Bariloche, Argentina. Kayak Nahuel Huapi Lake or hike the Andes in summer (December–February) with craft breweries adding local flavour.
8. Ruka, Finland. Hike Oulanka National Park or canoe under the midnight sun. Sami cultural events enhance the cool summer vibe.
9. Zermatt, Switzerland. Trek the Five Lakes Walk with Matterhorn views or bike alpine trails. The car-free village’s summer festivals add charm.
10. Valdres, Norway. Hike the Besseggen Ridge or fish in clear lakes. Folk music festivals and farm-to-table dining highlight summer’s appeal.

These former winter-only destinations are finally becoming appreciated, and offer an enjoyable and fascinating alternative to the usual overheated hotspots. With cooler climates, diverse activities, and authentic cultural experiences, they’re redefining summer travel for those seeking fitness, adventure, tranquillity – but without getting sunstroke and coming home heavier than when you left!

So lose the flip-flops, pull on your hiking boots, and discover why these traditionally snowy havens shine beautifully bright in the summer months

Jacqui Deevoy

Jacqui Deevoy has been a freelance journalist for over three decades, starting out on teenage magazines, then later working for women’s magazines worldwide, and national newspapers including the Daily Mail, the Mirror, Express and Telegraph. These days, as well as writing for magazines, papers and websites, she produces documentaries and hosts a Monday night talk show for Unprecedented TV.

The post Winter resorts: the cool new choice for summer holidays appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Skiing first time? Well yes, me too. I was never a what you might call a sporty kid. Netball was a no-no due to my challenged hand to eye co-ordination. I was always stuck in goal on the hockey field, decidedly ungainly in gait as I staggered around swaddled in thigh-high leg pads. My tennis style was described as ‘wild’ – and not in a good way.

Cross country runs were spent bunking off at a fellow failed jogger’s gaff who just happened to live en-route, and I distinctly recall being told by the games teacher that no athletics discipline would ever be ‘my sport’. I wasn’t fussed. I was good at other stuff, and positively distinction level when it came to sneaking a crafty fag behind the back of the bike sheds.

I distinctly recall being told by the games teacher that no athletics discipline would ever be ‘my sport’

There was, however, one sport that my teenage self always secretly longed to try. Skiing. To be honest, I think it had more to do with imagining myself hanging out with the beautiful people on some snow-capped mountain – 1970s and 80s Martini advert-style. That and the vision of a 19th century me channelling my own inner Anna Karenina. A vision moving silently across a moon-lit snowy landscape in a horse-drawn troika while swaddled in rugs and blankets.

Or in another incarnation, I resembled a nostalgic Christmas card as I perched, in full Edwardian period garb, primly on a sledge as I prepared to launch myself down a snow-covered mountain. And then there was all the yummy Alpine food to sample – fondue, raclette, goulash, and schnitzel with noodle.

Help! I need the slopes

I could have hit the snows in my 20s, 30s, 40s… but life always got in the way, somehow. And besides, whenever I thought about a winter holiday, sunshine always won over snow. But then, at the end of last year, I happened to watch the Beatles’ film Help. The sight of the Fab Four, or rather their stunt doubles, swooping down the oh-so-picturesque Austrian Alps to the strains of Ticket to Ride picqued my interest enough to finally try the ski and snow thing.

I read up on where Help was filmed, and discovered to my delight that you could stay in the hotel in the ski resort where John, Paul, George and Ringo had performed an impromptu gig for a crew member’s birthday party. Their only ever gig in Austria, incidentally, almost 60 years ago… Well, it was a done deal!

Summer travel more your thing? Read – Jacqui’s Cyprus trip honouring her mum

The Alpine comforts

While my retro ‘rubber’ soul longed to stay at the Marrietta (the name of the hotel where the Fab Four performed) circa mid 1960s, my 2024 body was highly delighted that in the early 2020s the hostelry had been extensively modernised, having been taken over by the Croatian-based company Valamar group and renamed ‘Places’.

No doubt the Marrietta was the place to be in its prime, but as we approach the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, Places ticks all the right modernist, style, and creature comfort boxes. The interior has been redesigned with a vibrant yet minimalist aesthetic. It feels luxurious but in a chic, funky kinda way. However, it’s touching that Places hasn’t forgotten its unique place in music history. There are several signed photos of the Beatles, in situ on the snowy set, in the lobby. Even more impressive is the fact that the drum kit actually used by Ringo Starr for the concert is on display in a corridor behind the lobby, along with more fascinating mop-top memorabilia.

When it comes to the bedrooms, think traditional alpine with a modern twist that feels like a warm cuddle. And, should you be in the mood for rather more than a hug, the complimentary pleasure boxes containing condoms and lubricant could well come in handy. On the other hand, should you be sharing the bed with a snorer, the complimentary earplugs will come as a godsend!

Not just a snowy landscape

Obertauern, which lies 5,708ft above sea level and is 55 miles south of Salzburg, is the winter holiday resort with the best snow record in Austria. But the skiing, the frolicking amidst the flurries, could wait. I wanted to explore Places.

There’s a stunning, subterranean indoor pool – kidney shaped rather than rectangular. Fine with me. I wasn’t planning on doing any laps. We’re talking serious unwind time, here. The lights are low, with loungers positioned on several levels. Plus, there are star-shaped floating bean bags! A first for me. Nearby is the stunning spa area and sauna, and the massage I treated myself to certainly didn’t disappoint.

The hotel boasts a trendy lounge and bar, think posh private members’ club vibe, and probably the smartest self-service restaurant I’ve ever been in. Guests are able to eat as much as they like in the evenings. Meat dishes, fish, salads, fab veggie options including gourmet handmade pizzas.

Opt for the ‘Places Flexi’ package and dinner is free, with each person given a 30-euro (£26) allowance a day to spend on food and drink at the bar as an alternative. Payment is made via wrist-worn electronic ‘watches’, which also open bedrooms and doors to various public spaces. Hi-tech or what?

But Place’s ‘piece de resistance’ is to be found on its top floor. There’s a seriously fun 400-sq-m (4,305-sq-ft) top-floor gaming area complete with a soft-play complex and all manner of computer games and consuls. Next door is a rooftop bar with jaw-dropping valley views. I enjoyed a Campari-spritz on the balcony while taking in the vista, warmed by a table-top open fire. Now, that was a Martini moment for sure.

So. . . what about the skiing?

Well, I got myself decked out at the Freudenaus Sport Rental next door to the hotel. Skis, helmet, sticks, ski boots… you know the drill. Except that, er, I didn’t. Not really. In all my ski-land visualisations, I’d never pictured myself actually skiing. The nuts-and-bolts stuff. And if I’d thought hockey goal keeping garb was stagger-worthy, blimey, I didn’t know the half of it. Give me thigh-high, Michelin man-like leg pads over ski boots any day! Clomping about, I felt like a clone of Frankenstein – and that was just outside the hotel.

Prep for your skiing trip with a quality pair of waterproof boots. Like these tactical boots which are even up to military standard!

I had a lesson on the nursery slopes with an instructor from the Obertauern Frau Holle ski school – he was very patient but by the end of the session, he gave me a broken English echo of my school games’ teacher’s words. Skiing clearly wasn’t ‘quite my sport’.

Alison (far right) and friends before heading down the slopes

The sledging fantasy

So let’s try sledging or sledding. Arranged by the uber efficient Valdermar folk, I pitched up at dusk at the Gnadenalm Alpine experience, about six km from Obertauern.  The toboggan taxi – a snowmobile with old-fashioned wooden toboggans attached to the side – zipped us up to the top of a mountain. At least it felt like the top to me, and the start of the flood-lit 1.5km long run. We were dropped off with the sledges. ‘Now what?’ I said, somewhat naively. ‘You go down,’ came the reply. As the driver sped away, there was no option but to follow his instructions. Reader, it was the ride of my life. Scary, yes, but incredibly exhilarating.

Zooming down snow-covered peaks and mounds, I felt more Bond girl in the Spy Who Loved Me than lady on front of an Edwardian Christmas card. But no matter. I had a real sense of achievement on reaching the bottom. My Anna Karenina fantasy followed as I climbed aboard the troika or carriage, attached to two massive cart horses, and made myself comfortable against the cushions and under the blankets. Sleigh bells rang out as we wended our way across the snow-covered countryside by moonlight while sipping on shots of Schnapps. It was possibly one of the most romantic moments of my life!

Great grub, to top it all off

It had been an incredible evening but it wasn’t over yet. A full-on Alpine feast comprising of fondue, raclette and cheese dumplings followed at the Restaurant Wirtshaus Gnadenalmin, the most Heidi-esque eaterie imaginable. All roaring fires, pine wood panelling, red and white check cushions and table cloths, and heart-shaped dining chairs.

Skiing may not be for me but this trip made me realise that I have fallen for the snow in a big way. Next visit I intend to channel Julie Christie in Dr Zhivago – but I guess I’ll need to find my Omar Shariff first.

Going on your own Alpine adventure

Getting There

Wizz Air – return flights in January 2025 from London airports to Salzburg from £57.00
Easy Jet – return flights in January 2025 from London airports to Salzburg from £54.00
British Airways – return flights in January 2025 from London airports to Salzburg from £139.00

Taxi transfer from Salzburg to Obertauern – approximately €165.00, good value if there’s four of you

Accommodation

Places by Valamar – from €316.00 per night/double room

Ski Stuff

Ski Equipment Hire from Silver Ski Equipment

Boots – €27 per day
Helmet – €16.20 per day
Skis and sticks – €34.50 per day

Ski pass – €65 per day

Ski lesson for beginners at the Obertauern Frau Holle ski school – €121.50 per day, €252.00 for three days

Carriage Ride and Sledding

One hour carriage ride for four people – €90

Toboggan rental: € 9 per toboggan
Toboggan taxi: € 8 per ride & person

Alison James

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