The Top 20 things to do in the Alps this Summer

The alpine summer season goes from strength to strength each year. As summer has officially started, here is the nidski guide to the Top 20 things to do in the European Alps in July and August.

1. Glacier Ski

Missing your snowsports? Head to the glacier in Tignes, in the Grand Motte area, for some summer downhill or cross country skiing.  

2. Book Your Winter Flights

It’s never too early to plan your ski trip(s). Many airlines have released their routes and tickets dates for winter 2019, including new flights to the Alps from Jet2 and WizzAir.

3. Step Into The Void

Test your vertigo at the “Step Into the Void”, Aiguille du Midi, attraction. Queue up with daytrippers and hardcore skiers alike once the iconic cable car re-opens after works on 7^th July. 

4. Make Like 007

The new James Bond cinematic installation “007 Elements” opens its doors on 12 July at Gaislachkogl, in Solden, over 3,000m above sea level.

5. Top Up Your Eco-Credentials

Whitepod in Switzerland offers the ultimate in Eco-Luxury in the mountains. Visitors stay in a geosdesic dome and can enjoy hiking, horse-riding and electric biking, among other activities.

6. Book a Property Viewing

The summer is the ideal time to view properties in the Alps. Getting between resorts in easier, the days are longer and there isn’t the temptation to head up the slopes or straight to apres instead. Book your viewing on www.nidski.com

7. Bike Off A Cliff

Between La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand, St Jean de Sixt is home to the world’s first bungee jump off a ramp. Test your nerve while throwing yourself off a cliff on a bike.

8. Cross A Bridge

The Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge only opens in the summer and autumn months. The 500m bridge near Zermatt is the world’s longest hanging bridge and only recommended for those with a good head for heights!

9. Sleep Under the Stars

Spend an unforgettable night in a bubble tent suspended from the trees in the Chamonix valley and enjoy stunning views of the Drus and the Milky Way whilst sleeping next to the Mer de Glace Glacier. 

10. Glimpse the Tour de France

The Tour de France 2018 returns to the Alps for 3 days and will pass through the ski resorts of Le Grand Bornand, Le Rosiere and Alpe d’Huez. If you miss it there, there’s another chance to catch it in the peaks of the Pyrenees.

11. Improve Your Turns

Steal a march on your ski buddies, with a Warren Smith summer ski course in Cervinia and Zermatt.

12. Run Like Mr Gump

Long socks and hydration sachets at the ready, we’re not talking a gentle lope here. The Alps are host to any number of long distance running events, including the Eiger Ultra Trail and the UTMB in Chamonix. 

13. Find Your Festival

There’s a summer festival for every taste, from classical music in Klosters and Verbier https://www.verbierfestival.com/en/ , jazz at altitude in Chamonix http://cosmojazzfestival.com/ and even a performing arts festival for children in Le Grand Bornand http://www.aubonheurdesmomes.com/

14. Reach New Culinary Peaks

Head to Alta Badia in the Dolomites for “Peaks Of Gastronomy” the ultimate gastro hiking experience. Michelin chefs create dishes for mountain refuges along the hiking trails.

15. Celebrate Bastille Day

14^th July is a national holiday in France and most ski resorts from Meribel to Samoens will host celebrations and fireworks.

16. Saddle Up

Alpe d’Huez hosts two of the best-known alpine bike races. First up is Megavalanche, an epic downhill mountain-bike race with 2,600m of descent. For road bikers, it doesn’t come much tougher than the Marmotte Granfondo Alpes, a legendary 174 km race, with 5,000m of height gain. 

17. Test Your Nose

For wine lovers, La Rosiere hosts a Salon des Vins of wines from all over France. 

18. Waterslide at 55km/h

Europe’s biggest waterslide “Splash” returns to Morgins (Portes du Soleil, Swiss side) for 30 days. Reach up to speeds of 55km/h – if you dare.

19. Board the Glacier Express

One of the world’s most stunning train journeys, running from St Moritz to Zermatt through Andermatt, the views from the Glacier Express are a kaleidoscope of colours in the summer months. 

20. Take a Leap of Faith

The rope park at Saas Fee is host to Europe’s longest zip-wire – 280m out and 210m back. Hold on tight!