The allure of summer Alpine holidays has steadily grown over recent years, and it is easy to understand why. The mountains change entirely in the season. The chalets that understand this best are not simply ski properties with the snow removed; they become something different altogether. Adventure is part of the draw, but so too is wellness, culture and the particular pleasure of a different pace of life. These four chalets understand this better than most, each offering a different way in.
Riverbend House in Aspen
Summer in Aspen offers a different pace and Riverbend House captures it beautifully. Set away from downtown on over six and a half acres, it is modern, sleek and fun. It’s a property that feels as though it was designed for the season rather than adapted to it. Think treetop yoga decks, a pool for long afternoons, a games room and cinema for when the mountains have been thoroughly explored.
The energy here is high, and Aspen's summer season draws a crowd to rival that of winter. Mountain picnics, horseback riding and a festival calendar that runs deep into September ensure every guest finds their rhythm, whether they arrive looking for adventure or simply somewhere beautiful to exhale.
Ultima Megève
Megève has become a year-round destination for lovers of the mountains, and summer is when it truly comes into its own. The resort centre takes on something of the French Riviera in July and August. The local produce, boutique shopping and the gentle hum of a crowd that is here to savour rather than to rush. Those seeking time to reset, but equally drawn to lively cafes, fine dining and a social scene, will find it all within easy reach.
Ultima's property is made for exactly this. A sprawling residence set within an alpine meadow that comes alive in summer, its expansive terrace was built for long lunches that drift into the late afternoon. Inside, the spa that’s stocked with Augustinus Bader, provides the kind of restorative experience that justifies the journey on its own. For groups travelling across generations, the games room ensures no hour goes to waste.
Forestis Villa, South Tyrol
After careful restoration, Forestis unveiled a minimalist villa steeped in history, its Art Nouveau roots left quietly visible beneath the new skin. Tucked away on the sun-drenched Plose slopes and hidden from view, the exclusivity here is total. Think expansive private gardens, a pool, and a villa generous enough in scale that guests can lose one another in it. The private chef and butler ensures that whatever corner you settle in, the experience is seamless.
The Forestis ethos carries into every part of a stay: wellness is not a feature but the entire philosophy. Summer provides the perfect conditions for the slower programme the property encourages, with ancient healing rituals and state-of-the-art modern therapies working together to bring guests back to themselves. The mountain setting does the rest.
Chalet Hibou & Chalet Pelerin, Le Miroir
In the sleepy resort of Le Miroir, not far from Tignes and Val d'Isère, Chalets Hibou and Pelerin have quietly become some of the best in the Alps for experiencing the mountains all year round. Built on Eleven Experience's adventure philosophy, guests wake in the cosiest of alpine surroundings. Think warm wooden hues, furs and gingham prints, with uninterrupted forests of pine beyond every window.
Mornings begin slowly with yoga, pilates or breathwork in the sun, birdsong the only soundtrack. A ritual that grounds guests for whatever the day holds. The chalets provide access to some of the most singular experiences the summer mountains offer. Our favourite: a hut-to-hut hike from France into Italy, with nights spent in Alpages and refugios. A private chef accompanies the group throughout, turning each stop into an occasion and making the journey as memorable as the destination.
