Now's the Time to Plan Your Clients’ Summer Vacations at a European Mountain Resort
Believe it or not, they’re hot right now
By: Ann Abel
Dec 2, 2025
4 min
From the Alps to the Dolomites to the Pyrenees, Europe’s snow-capped peaks have stood out as symbols of luxury adventure for winter travelers seeking powdery runs, top-notch slopeside dining, and a sophisticated après-ski scene. But for some years now, a revolution has been underway: Europe’s mountain resorts are transforming into sought-after summer escapes.
While they’re still not on the level of North American mountain towns like Aspen and Jackson Hole, whose summer months constitute a second high season, many Alpine resorts have been extending their operations (increasingly into the technicolor fall as well as the long days of summer.) They’re investing in warm-weather activities, beefing up their wellness programming, and enticing guests with pop-up restaurants and festivals. It’s a surprising blend of the warmly familiar and the refreshingly new.
Europe Express’s new Elevated Journeys offer an ideal way for advisors and their clients to tap into the trend. The itineraries, which lean strongly into the luxury experiences on offer at four- and five-star resorts, are perfect for discerning travelers seeking cooler climates and curated luxury experiences.
The Why: The Rise of All-Season Mountain Luxury
As anyone who has recently sweltered through summer in Sicily or Seville can attest, Southern Europe is becoming an increasingly challenging summertime destination. That’s why travelers are chasing one of the latest trends: “coolcations,” or seeking destinations whose mild climates offer respite from summer heat. The off-season timing leads to crowd-free luxury, exclusivity, and a more sustainable approach than showing up to the same old places at the same time as everybody else.
Meanwhile, winters in many parts of Europe have grown warmer as well. With snow becoming less predictable, forward-thinking resorts are beefing up their summer offerings in the crisp, clean mountain air—hiking and mountain biking to be sure, but also some curveballs like the annual beach volleyball tournament that takes place every summer in Gstaad, Switzerland—and adding culinary and cultural components. Travelers are seeking a stronger taste of local identity alongside the usual five-star trappings, and bespoke itineraries and exclusive accommodations are placing mountain resorts at the epicenter of summer luxury.
The Where: Regional Highlights
While there are few commonalities—wildflower meadows, alfresco dining, deliciously late sunsets—European mountain resorts put their own spin on summer.
The Swiss Alps
Switzerland leads the charge in redefining mountain luxury. Crans-Montana hosts world-class mountain biking, golf tournaments, and cultural festivities, while Gstaad comes alive with headline events (not only beach volleyball) like country music festivals, luxury shopping, and a booming culinary scene—the city recently got its first rooftop restaurant and bar—and its network of cheese shops offer curated backpacks for making fondue in designated picnic areas.
The Italian Dolomites
While all eyes will be on Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics, its culinary scene will still be a focus of travelers’ attention and delight. Mountain refugios (“huts,” whose food and wine are on par with those in urban trattorias) welcome hikers and cyclists. Meanwhile, in resort towns and sometimes even accessible via gondola rides that deliver guests to high altitudes which provide both amazing cuisine and views, Michelin-starred dining attracts international gourmands. There’s also the glam Cortina Summer Party, as well as more humble festivals that emphasize the local Ladin culture.
The French Peaks
Chamonix is the departure point for one of Europe’s most hedonistic hikes, the Tour du Mont Blanc—in which guests hike around the mountain (and its lovely inns and restaurants) instead of trekking to the top. It’s also home to the renowned Chamonix Jazz Festival. Boutique hotels, and private chalets can be home bases for glacier walks, paragliding, and wellness retreats.
Slovenia’s Julian Alps
No longer Europe’s best-kept secret but still something of a wild-card destination, the Julian Alps of northern Slovenia are at the vanguard of elevated experiential travel. A growing number of properties offer world-class hiking, tranquil waterside luxury at Lakes Bohinj (a quieter, in-the-know alternative to busy Lake Bled), and eco-conscious accommodations that blend seamlessly with their surroundings.
ELEVATED JOURNEYS ITINERARY: Discover the allure of Northern Italy and Switzerland on a journey that blends art, culture, and alpine beauty. From Milan’s haute couture and Lake Como’s elegance to Interlaken’s mountain splendor and Zurich’s cosmopolitan charm, travelers will experience Europe’s most refined destinations in elevated style. Featuring private tours, first-class scenic rail, and stays at luxury hotels, this itinerary defines the essence of Elevated Journeys by Europe Express.
ELEVATED JOURNEYS ITINERARY: From the vibrant streets of Zagreb to the fairytale beauty of Lake Bled and the sun-drenched shores of the Adriatic coast, this nine-day journey reveals the timeless allure of two of Europe’s most captivating destinations. Travelers will wander through historic capitals, cruise across crystal lakes, and savor the flavors of Istria’s world-class cuisine and wines. Along the way, they’ll experience handpicked accommodations, expert-led tours, and moments of pure relaxation overlooking the sea. Blending culture, nature, and indulgence, this itinerary offers an unforgettable exploration of Croatia and Slovenia’s charm, character, and coastal elegance.
ELEVATED JOURNEYS ITINERARY: Discover the timeless beauty of Italy on a journey through Rome, Florence, and Venice—where history, art, and indulgence come together in perfect harmony. Explore ancient wonders and Renaissance masterpieces, savor Tuscan cuisine and wine, and arrive in Venice by private gondola for an unforgettable finale. Featuring curated private tours, luxurious accommodations, and insider experiences, this itinerary captures the essence of Elevated Journeys by Europe Express.
The transformation of Europe’s mountain resorts isn’t just about swapping skis for hiking boots. Travel advisors can organize an all-encompassing version of the good life: fine dining at mountaintop restaurants, wine-tasting in sunny valleys, private mountain guides, and wellness programs infused with local traditions like forest bathing or indigenous herbology.
European mountain hotels have likewise upped their game. Many four- and five-star hotels now cater to the summer traveler. Open-air infinity pools have glacial vistas; chefs serve picnics in hidden pastures, and instructors lead outdoor yoga with the Alps as a backdrop. Through partnerships curated by Europe Express’s Elevated Journeys, travel advisors unlock exclusive perks—room upgrades, spa access, or private transfer services—that turn a summer trip into a transformative journey.
The Upshot: A New Season
Europe’s next luxury travel frontier isn’t a new destination. It’s a new season. The resorts that once hibernated through summer are alive for clients seeking the new and extraordinary. Without the snow, there’s arguably something better: culture, cuisine, and wellness in destinations that promise more meaningful connections—both to nature and to a slower, more intentional way of traveling.
About the Author
AnnAbel is an American travel writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Condé Nast Traveller, Departures, Robb Report, Afar, and other publications. Since 2017, she has lived in Lisbon and travels frequently throughout Europe.
