Warm Weather Alternatives to Alpine Mountain Biking

Ever since the Alps got discovered as a perfectly valid summer holiday option, the main reason tourists have been visiting the region during the warmer months of the year is to indulge in Alpine mountain biking. The area is rife with thrilling downhill courses, challenging uphill runs and hair-rising bends, all of which captivate winter sports aficionados during the winter as well as the bicycle crowd in less snowy months.

However, those who are not so fond of cycling but still find themselves embarking on an Alpine holiday during the spring or summer will no doubt be happy to learn that Alpine mountain biking is far from the only activity they can engage in. Indeed, much like during the winter, the region lends itself to a number of different sports and leisure pursuits, which won't leave any holidaymaker twiddling his or her thumbs. In the lines below are just a few examples of what the area has to offer during the warmer months.

Communing With Nature

Arguably the second most popular activity to engage in on a summer holiday to the French Alps – after Alpine mountain biking – is hiking. As one of Europe’s foremost mountain chains, the Alps offer no shortage of variably challenging nature trails, which allow keen trekkers to commune with nature and experience the area’s abundant, vivid plant and wildlife.

What’s more, a ramble through any part of this mountain range will invariably yield stunning natural scenery and breath-taking mountaintop landscapes, which hikers can admire at their leisure. A picnic at the side of a mountain whilst overlooking a sprawling lake will no doubt be an enticing proposition to any walking aficionado – and, in the Alps, it can easily be made reality!

Extreme Sports

At the other end of the spectrum, those seeking as many thrills as possible from their stay in the British Alps will also find themselves catered to, as the region lends itself to any number of extreme sports.

Aside from Alpine mountain biking, which can in a way be inserted into this category, thrill-seekers will be delighted to learn that the region offers all the conditions for sports like parasailing or abseiling (a sort of ‘reverse’ mountain climbing, also called rappelling). Alternatively, those seeking something new may want to look into dry, hillside sledging, a warm-weather variant of the perennially popular winter sport.

Beach-Combing

Those thinking it would be impossible to have a day out at the beach while staying in the French Alps will find themselves proven wrong with a trip to Lake Geneva, only a short distance away from most French mountain resorts. Extremely popular during the summer, this lovely Swiss lake allows those less keen on mountain adventures to indulge in their favourite water sports, or merely a spot of sunbathing, without the exorbitant costs associated with these activities at a ‘proper’ seaside or island resort.

For most, however, this will just be the icing on the appetizing cake that is the French Alpine region in the summertime. Even holidaymakers who don’t fancy a bike ride down the steep mountain slopes will find themselves at no loss for activities during their Alpine holiday.

Liz Olkowicz is the Business Development Manager for Ski and Summer Morzine, a tour operator, based in Surrey, offering tailor-made holidays. If you're looking for a thrilling holiday, Alpine mountain biking could be the sport for you. Morzine is the perfect location from which to explore the French Alps on a mountain bike, so for a great-value Alpine holiday, call us.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.