For all the charms of jetting off to go snorkeling, surfing or on safari in exotic locations, long haul adventure holidays aren’t necessarily the most appealing option these days. Between rising cost of living and more concern for the environment, you might be seeking to save money or travel closer to home this summer. Believe it or not, for the best summer adventures, you might consider heading to a ski resort.
I spent 11 years living in the resort town of Vail, Colorado, and I was one of those rare few who came for the summer and stayed for the summer. Yes, the skiing was epic, but I lived for those brief few months each year when the snow was mostly gone and I could be exploring the valley and mountains in a variety of sports. In any given week, I might be on top of a 14er in my hiking boots one day, on belay doing a multi-pitch climb the next and then riding over mountain passes on my road bike the day after that.
To be honest, over the last couple of years since moving back to Scotland, I’d forgotten how incredible ski resorts are in summer, but I recently found myself in Chamonix, France, attending the Arc’Teryx Alpine Academy, and it reminded me of what a great destination they make during the warmer months. I was there for only three days and in that time I managed to do an unforgettable hike, trek across a glacier and go on a gorgeous trail run to a secluded mountain refuge.
It’s easy to forget about them ski resorts once ski season is over – if you’re anything like me, your mind just instantly switches over to beach mode – but these destinations