by Kelly Gray
07.06.2009
(c) Nora A
Just because there's no snow on the ground doesn't mean you can't go to ski resorts. In fact, it's a fantastic time for a mountain getaway – plus there are less crowds. White water, raw natural surroundings, forested canopies – perfect for mountain climbing, white-water rafting and challenging hikes. So put away your skis and snowboards and head to the hills in the 'off season'. Here's WideWorld's pick of the 15 best.
1. Telluride, Colorado
Although the town of Telluride is a mere six blocks by 12, there is no shortage of outdoor excitement and adventure in summer. Nestled among the 14,000ft peaks of the San Juan Mountains, it offers hundreds of miles of hiking, biking and horse riding trails, accessible by the free gondola service (unique to the area) that begins in the town. Ambitious climbers can also 'bag a 14er' - ie. climb one of those majestic peaks. And if hiking, biking, and climbing aren't your thing, Telluride also offers fly fishing, rafting and hot air ballooning.
www.mountainlodgetelluride.com
2. Zermatt, Matterhorn
For those seeking a more remote getaway, consider Switzerland's Zermatt resort. Known as “the village without cars,” its location at the foot of the Matterhorn and surrounded by eight 4,000 ft mountains will excite even the most extreme climbers. Plus there are 400km of footpaths for hikers. Zermatt’s glaciers make it possible to ski and snowboard throughout the entire summer. If you're seeking less traditional ways to experience the breathtaking scenery, try paragliding, trampolining, or a tree-to-tree adventure in the Forest Fun Park.
Zermatt travel blogs: www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/message.jspa?messageID=15617470
Zermatt website: www.zermatt.ch/index.e.html
3. Chamonix, French Alps
The Chamonix Resort in France has one of the best reputations for climbing and skiing: it boasts the highest point in Western Europe (Mont Blanc, 4,810 m) after all. This means, of course, that in winter, Chamonix is busy. Not so in summer. In addition to hiking, biking, climbing and kayaking, the off-season at Chamonix offers some newer adventure sports too. Try hydrospeeding, for example – descending white water rapids on a body float. Or Via Ferratta where you can scale mountain walls without the anxiety of swinging from a rope in midair.
www.chamonet.com/about-the-area/chamonix-in-summer.htm
4. Mammoth, California
Located on the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in eastern California, Mammoth is another high-traffic area for skiers during winter. But during summer there are still plenty of outdoor activities, most of which are free or won’t break the bank. There's mountain biking, hiking, road biking on the trails through town, and a top notch motocross venue, but perhaps the most enticing aspect of a summer in Mammoth is its 20 mile proximity to Yosemite National Park.
www.mammothmountain.com/MountainActivities/SummerActivities
5. Poiana-Brasov, Romania
Poina-Brasov, seven miles from Brasov in Romania, stands out among the other four main Romanian ski resorts due to its lower prices and repeat visitors. The summer months are no exception: you can hike, climb, abseil and ride horses among the four surrounding mountains of Piatra Craiului, Postavaru, Bugeci, and Piatra Mare. Poina-Brasov also offers paragliding and bungee-jumping, plus there's a great flight school with classes on paragliding and motor hang-gliding—the closest thing to flying a plane without a pilot’s license.
www.traveltoromania.com/destinations/skiresorts
6. Whistler Blackcomb, British Colombia, Canada
This infamous Canadian ski getaway is fantastic in the off-season too. For one thing, the Hortsman Glacier provides skiing and snowboarding year round, as well as camps (which run until July 26th) for intermediate to advanced skiers who want to hone their skills. While hiking, biking, white-water rafting, and climbing are still crowd favorites during the summers at Whistler, the resort also offers glacier hikes with a nature guide and bear-watching.
www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/summer/adventurezone/index.htm
7. Ben Nevis, Scotland
Below the towering peak of Ben Nevis (the highest point in Britain) sits the town of Fort William. Summer at the Nevis Range offers activities for the most relaxed outdoorsmen and women to the most extreme. The mountain gondola lifts sightseers to the 2,150 ft peak of Mt. Aonach Mor—providing a breathtaking way to view the scenery of the Scottish Highlands. It's also useful for those seeking extreme climbing, hiking and paragliding as well. You can rent mountain bikes in Fort William or alternatively, scale Nevis then head to Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales and attempt the Three Peaks Challenge.
www.nevisrange.co.uk/summer/index.asp
8. Snowdonia National Park, Northern Wales
Snowdonia offers the best of both worlds for a summer getaway—the rugged adventure of the mountain ranges and the breathtaking views of both the mountains and the nearby coastline. In addition to hiking, biking, kayaking and climbing, why not head to Plas y Brenin, the outdoor adventure school where you can enrol in canoeing classes or even dry slope skiing (if you're pining for the winter season).
www.walesdirectory.co.uk/Holidays_in_Snowdonia_Gwynedd.htm
9. Angel Fire, New Mexico
A summer holiday at Ski Santa Fe provides all the outdoor fun without the bells and whistles. Camp Angel Fire provides youngsters between the ages of five and 14 a full range of outdoor activities. Which means mum and dad can head off on the world-renowned mountain bike trails, river rafting, climbing, hiking, wildlife tours, and fishing on the Monte Verde Lake.
10. Vail, Colorado
Every spring, Colorado's favourite winter destination transforms into a pretty incredible summer resort – minus the herds of tourists. Think about it: you still get the fresh air and rugged beauty but you can also get off the beaten track and enjoy the solitude. In just a two hour drive from Denver airport you could be hiking, rafting, mountain biking, fly fishing (and enjoying a spa and a fancy restaurant too). If that's not enough, there's outdoor yoga, sports camps, mountain bike competitions and trail running.
summer.vail.com/summer/index.asp
11. Queenstown, New Zealand
The long list of outdoor adventure activities here include rafting, jet boating, canyon swinging on the Kawarau River, helicopter and plane excursions over the Milford Sound, and Heli-skiing, where you'll fly by helicopter from the bottom of one ski run to the top of the next. Don't forget, here in New Zealand, winter officially runs from June 1st to August 31st (the tourist board advises to 'rug up, keep cosy' during this time!) . Take advantage of the Queenstown Combos, whereby visitors can choose from a range of set activity agendas that best suit their interests for their ultimate outdoor experience.
www.heliski.co.nz/options.asp#queenstown
12. Valberg, France
The Valberg Ski Resort offers outdoor adventurers a low-profile, remote spot for a summer getaway. Located in the Southern Alps at the entrance to the Mercantour National Park and just an hour from the Mediterranean, Valberg provides year-round activities such as climbing, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. So, for those who prefer a small, charming French chalet to an upscale luxury hotel but don’t want to sacrifice their adventure experience, Valberg might be the perfect spot.
www.valberg.com/ete.php?&_lang=GB
13. Pamporovo, Bulgaria
With a warmer, Mediterranean climate, the small resort town of Pamporovo is perhaps the best option for a summer holiday in Bulgaria (many of the others are exclusively winter resorts). Although you can fish and climb here, hiking is perhaps the resort’s most attractive feature. It offers visitors the chance to explore the scenic, geological, and architectural features of the area and you can can select your trek by difficulty level, length, and attractions. For example, for the more adventurous hiker, Pamporovo offers longer and more rigorous excursions into natural areas such as “Devil’s Throat Cave” with its majestic waterfalls.
pamporovo.bulgarien-ski.com/summer-activities
14. Åre, Sweden
Set in the Scandinavian mountains just below the town of Åre, sits the Åre Ski Resort—home to over a hundred ski runs, including a World Cup downhill slope. In summer, however, the resort offers extreme mountain biking (both a school and a park) and the largest Zipline in Europe (which travel at speeds up to 45 miles per hour at a height of 60 meters above the wild terrain). The 13th annual Haglöfs Åre Extreme Challenge Week (June 23-27), draws the world’s most extreme outdoor athletes to compete in a marathon of mountain biking, hill running and paddling. And if just the sound of that makes you feel exhausted, you can settle for swimming in the various lakes or a gentle bike and hiking trail instead.
www.areextremechallenge.se/haec_eng/ENGindex.asp
www.skistar.com/are/english/summer/index.app
15. Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain
Think Spain in summer and you're probably thinking beach and not ski resort. But the Sierra Nevada Resort in Granada (Europe’s most southern ski resort) boasts a lovely climate, numerous lakes and rivers, and a prime setting against the Pyrenees Mountain Range. Watersports such as kayaking and rafting as well as other adventure activities such as hydrospeed, quad trips, and potholing – there really is so much to do. There's also some great hiking trails that vary in difficulty, horse-back riding, mountain climbing and bungee jumping.
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