Mention ski resorts off season to some avid skiers and you would think they would probably throw a ‘what-for?’ expression. But did you know that many ski slopes become awash with greenery, and verdant valleys appear peppered with forests from under the melted snow in the Spring, Summer and Autumn months? Woodland streams snake along and flow into meandering rivers. The most beautiful setting for a a snow-free holiday too!
Mountain bikers use the ski lifts to enjoy downhill biking through the plush forests, and these resorts become a hikers paradise. You can also take advantage of lower prices too in the summer months as prices are cut by up to 40%. Why visit a ski resort off season? Because they offer just as many things to do in the Summer as they do in the peak Winter snowboarding and skiing months.
Ski resorts turn into summer vacation stays offering a more relaxed setting. Restaurants offer AL-fresco dining from their terraces, where diners can order champagne and canapés and take in the tranquil views. Shopaholics can browse the many boutiques of the local town and receive a pampering in one of the spas. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a huge range of activities on the water from: kayak and canoeing, various types of fishing and dingy sailing.
Some resorts also offer hot air ballooning trips and if you look up to the skies you will see that these areas are also favourites for para-motor, paragliding enthusiasts and hand-gliders. Ski resorts are ideal for families wanting to take long forest walks, stopping for picnics under the shade of a tree, at the side of a mountain stream, and finding a waterfall pond to jump in and take a swim.
There are plenty of accommodation options with summer cut prices from: chalets, log cabins, hotels to suit all budgets, and great camping areas for tents, caravans and recreational vehicles. There are some resorts that have adventure parks with activities such as water slides, wall climbing, ziplining, zorbing, paint ball, water sports and horse riding and much more.
When night comes, many resorts also offer a host of after-dark activities too such as shows and nightclubs. Outdoor concerts and cinemas are another popular event in the summer season so research different resorts to see what activities are on in the areas you want to go to. Some resorts are even home to food-and-wine festivals, music festivals, and beer festivals during the warmer months.
If you love a particular ski resort in the Winter months then visiting off season can definitely be a great way to see it in a new way, and save a great deal of money. Or even if you just want to explore a new area with a wide variety of outdoor activities in the fresh mountain air; checking out what holiday deals you can find in the Spring, Summer and Autumn months at off season ski resorts is something you should look into for your next great adventure holiday.
Have you ever visited a ski resort out of season? Is there anywhere you would recommend?
