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Summer in the Swiss Alps

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Summer in the Swiss Alps

Let’s talk about the Swiss Alps in the summer. The snow might be gone but as it melts and the sun comes out it uncovers another beautiful landscape, full of opportunities for adventure. We provide private transfers to the most popular summer destinations in the Alps, so our customers can enjoy everything from stunning mountains, lakes, and forests to rustic villages and exclusive summer resorts.

Summer temperatures in the Swiss Alps

Temperatures in the Swiss Alps are relatively mild in the summer but there are huge variations depending on location, it can be rainy in one valley and, at the same time, sunny in the next. It’s part of what makes the place so beautiful. The warmest months are in July and August when temperatures in the lower valleys can reach up to 35 °C (95 F). Equally summer temperatures in the Alps can dip to 15 °C (59 F) at times, and there can still be snow on the mountain tops.

The weather in the Swiss Alps during the summer can change very quickly, so if the morning looks a little grey don’t be surprised if there are clear blue skies by lunchtime. Layers of clothing are advised, so you can be prepared for anything and stay as comfortable as possible.

Activities in the Swiss Alps in summer

Summer in the Swiss Alps attracts visitors from across the world to enjoy a wide range of activities suitable for beginners, families, and serious adrenaline junkies. Everything can be taken at your own pace, and there are plenty of shops, spas, and restaurants to visit too.

Cycling

Cycling is particularly popular here, with the slopes being explored on wheels rather than skis or snowboards, and there are plenty of incredible mountain roads to navigate. Lifts are used to transport riders and their bikes up the mountains, and there are several prestigious competitions held in the Alps in summer. From road cycling and e-biking to enduro and downhill mountain biking, there’s something for everyone.

Verbier Bike Park has a variety of downhill tracks, ranging from twisting routes through the trees to jumps, bridges, and technically challenging terrain. Zermatt also has some iconic roads and over the border into France, Tignes has popular trails with absolutely epic views to enjoy in the summer.

Les Gets and Morzine aren’t too far away and they have some of the top downhill mountain biking tracks in the world, frequented by World Cup racers and some of the biggest names in the sport.

Hiking

Exploring the Swiss Alps on foot will allow you to enjoy the views of lakes, mountains and waterfalls, whilst walking between the friendly villages with plenty of places to stop for delicious refreshments. Hiking between the mountain huts is a brilliant way to escape into the mountains and enjoy the seclusion and hospitality of the Swiss Alps in the summer. Outside of Switzerland, our summer customers enjoy hiking around Chamonix for the incredible views of Mont Blanc, and Morzine also has excellent connections to Les Gets for multi-activity holidays.

Verbier is one of our top destinations, and during the summer there are over 500 km of trails to enjoy. For beginners and families, there are shorter themed walks and educational tours, including one that takes in the 3D sculpture park. There are also plenty of challenging hikes, including the Tour des Combins which takes six days and crosses five valleys!

Skiing and Snowboarding

Even in the summer in the Swiss Alps, the glacial slopes of Zermatt and Saas-Fee offer year-round snow. Snowboarders and freestylers travel to Snowpark Zermatt to enjoy world-class facilities in the quieter summer months.

Water sports

The lakes of Switzerland provide some iconic scenery and a refreshing place to enjoy activities on the water. Cold water swimming, paddle boarding, sailing, fishing, and even kite surfing or wakeboarding are available at many of Switzerland’s alpine lakes. White-water rafting is also popular on the Lütschine River, taking you through the Interlaken Valley and down to Lake Brienz.

Food and wine

If you are looking for a more indulgent and relaxing experience, then summer in the Swiss Alps is the ideal time to sample some of the local food and wine. You could visit a Swiss chocolate factory at Maison Cailler in Broc or the cheese factory at La Maison du Gruyère. Other delicious cheeses including Fontina and Appenzellerkäse, and local wines grown on the south-facing foothills are a real treat for weary hikers and visitors looking to unwind in the sunshine.

Golf

The Swiss Alps also have picturesque alpine golf courses including Engadine in St Moritz, the oldest golf club in Switzerland. The golf course at Crans-sur-Sierre is home to the European Masters and is set on a 1500m high plateau overlooking the Rhone Valley. Here you can enjoy a round of golf with unrivalled views of the peaks of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, within easy reach of Zurich or Geneva airport

Getting to the Alps in summer

Getting to the Alps during the summer is easy, simply fly in and book one of our summer private transfers to the resort of your choice. We operate services from the major airports, including Geneva, Lyon, Zurich and Grenoble, giving you the freedom to explore the area without worrying about transport.

Once our experienced drivers have dropped you off at your accommodation, you can use gondolas, funiculars and chair lifts to help you reach the most scenic viewpoints during your stay. By cutting out the tough climb up the mountain, you’ll be able to get to the starting locations for many of the most spectacular walking and cycling routes. Although not all cable cars run in the summer, plenty of them are available across the Alps to make travelling around the resort easy.