It’s Summer In The Mountains Folks!

We hope we have something for everyone in this rather random PlanetSKI round-up of what is on offer in the mountains in the summer months.

There’s the predictable, and the unpredictable.

Tempted?

We start with the unpredicictable.

For Animal Lovers:

New experience in the Belleville Valley – meet Gaëlle and her goats

In the hamlet of Villarenger, Gaëlle welcomes visitors to her goat farm to discover milking and traditional cheese-making.

After swapping city life for life in the mountains, Gaëlle and her ‘girls’ produce a range of cheeses on site, including Tomme and raclette.

She offers tastings at the farm and at the weekly village market, providing an insight into everyday mountain life.

Equine Therapy in Le Grand-Bornand

Horses are well-known to pick up on feelings and help people achieve their therapeutic, educational and learning goals.

With this in mind, Amanda Locatelli founded the Equit’Horizon riding centre deep in the Bouchet Valley to make a difference.

Horse riding for all abilities (3yrs+) and equine therapy sessions for more vulnerable clients.

Giving people with disabilities, learning difficulties or social issues the opportunity to create a unique bond and make positive changes. www.equithorizon.fr  (€45/hr).

For the Adventurous:

New high-altitude trail running event:
From 30 July to 2 August, the new Grand Raid Kiprun 3 Vallées Moûtiers launches with seven races, including four routes within the Vallée des Belleville.

Distances cater to all levels, from shorter formats to the 172km ultra (12,000m elevation gain).

The stand out feature of this event is the high altitude starts – still rare in this kind of event.

Two of the races start at Cime Caron (3,200m) and Pointe de la Masse (2,804m), offering a true high altitude exeperience.

https://www.grandraid-3vallees.com

Deluxe Hiking in the Italian Dolomites

This 5-day self-guided trekking tour, the Curona de Gherdëina is one of the most spectacular trekking routes in North Italy.

It crosses five Dolomite massifs, from the Odle peaks to the Puez plateau, and on to the Sella massif, the Sassolungo, and the Alpe di Siusi.

The multi-day tour, approximately 60 kilometres long, completes a full loop of Val Gardena and crosses some of the most impressive landscapes in the Dolomites

The “Deluxe” version is a more comfortable alternative to hut-to-hut trekking.

It combines high-alpine trekking with comfortable overnight stays in the valley in hotels, guesthouses, or apartments.

Ideal for those who want to enjoy spectacular views during the day and relax in comfort in the evening.

Thanks to cable cars, bus connections, and the free travel by bus offered by the Val Gardena Mobil Card, the individual stages are accessible.

There are hiking start points at the base or top of the Val Gardena lift stations.  www.valgardena.it

New Verti Grand-Bo 27 June

A new trail run with a choice of vertical ascent in Le Grand-Bornand.

A 4-hr challenge or a 6-hr challenge on your own or as part of a team.

A unique 1.8km route, 412m D+, links the bottom of the La Joyère cable car to its summit.

Take the lift down and run up as many times as you can.

In assoc with local Grand-Bo runner Iris Pessy.

https://en.legrandbornand.com/what-to-do/events-and-entertainment/highlights/verti-grand-bo/

For Foodies

Cheese Making in Annecy Mountains

High above the valley, on the protected plateau of Beauregard, a Natura 2000 protected site, a family farm has been producing cheese on the same land for over a hundred years.

La Ferme de Lorette, founded in 1919, is much more than just a cheese farm: it’s an invitation to slow down, observe, taste and understand what makes authentic Alpine farming so rich.

Just an hour and a half from Geneva, this summer getaway is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature and gastronomy. www.annecymountains.com

New restaurant opening – Le Grenier, Belleville

New for summer 2026, Le Grenier, is opening for its first season at Hôtel Saint Martin.

The restaurant focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, served in a relaxed bistro setting.

Its terrace, located at the foot of the mountain bike trails and village gondola, offers a convenient stop for lunch or dinner with mountain views. Menus start from €16.

https://legrenier-stmartin.com/

July Beer Festivals

Celebrate the local beers from Brava Vela over 24^th and 25^th July in Saint Martin de Belleville.

Pop up festival tents with live music and plenty of beer!

Across in Italy, also on 25^th July, homebrews and fine ales alike will be celebrated during the Gherdëina Craft Beer Festival, Ortisei, Val Gardena with plentiful tastings and food pairings on offer.

Cheers!

For Families

OVO Network New Cool for Kids properties include Chalet RevAlp in Combloux with sauna, hot tub and gym.

Chalet Anthocyane in La Clusaz with its heated outdoor swimming pool, sauna and gym.

Chalet Le Jorat in Les Contamines-Montjoie – an architect designed chalet with a Nordic bath as well as Cycling Friendly facilities.

Many of the Cool for Kids chalets are also large enough for multi-generational holidays or for two or three families to holiday together.

NEW Chalet Nivalis, Valmeinier – This high-end, four-star chalet offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the mountains in summer.

With an outdoor hot tub, games room, table football, PlayStation and outdoor dining area with barbecue, it’s close to the village centre and has the Cycling Friendly label.

Seven nights rental for up to eight guests costs £2157 (~ £270 per person based on eight sharing), departs 25^th July OR Chalet Sisar, near La Clusaz –

Enjoy this gorgeous remote chalet, set in a secluded mountain location.

With an outdoor hot tub, table football, outdoor dining area and hiking and mountain biking trails from the doorstep.

Seven nights rental for up to 12 guests costs £3456 (~£288 per person).

For adventurous families – ‘My Mountain Adventure’ in the Belleville Valley

The “My Mountain Adventure” programme returns from 6 July to 28 August, offering structured activities for children and teenagers aged 3 to 17.

Run by ESF Les Menuires, the programme includes nature discovery, outdoor sports and adventure activities.

Tailored by age group, from introductory mountain experiences to more active pursuits such as rafting and canyoning.

Prices start from €40 per half day. 

Italians love kids!Family friendly activities in Val Gardena

For families visiting Val Gardena, nearly every mountain hut has a playground, while villages and their connecting paths are equipped with additional play areas.

For more adventurous experiences, highlights include the Emozion Col de Flam high ropes course.

There’s a small animal’s zoo, trampolines and the world’s first 680-metre Fly Line.

Then the PanaRaida Adventure Trail on the Santa Cristina plateau – an interactive walk built from natural materials.

Families can also enjoy the Monte Pana Zipline, offering a 1.5-km flight reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h.

The Val Gardena Kids Active and Junior Active programmes offer guided outdoor activities for children aged 6 to 12 throughout the summer.

Introducing them to the region’s natural environment through fun and educational experiences supervised by professional guides.  www.valgardena.it

Farm School for Children in Le Grand-Bornand

Training up the next generation of 5 to 12 year olds in the skills and customs of country life.

This half day course offers children the opportunity to unleash their inner farmers and take care of the animals – piglets, goats, rabbits, hens and ducks.

They’ll learn about sustainable farming at an 18th century wooden farmhouse and organic garden.

July 4th-August 26th: 9am-12pm or 2.30pm-5.30pm. Price: 21€/child lasource-legrandbornand.com

PlanetSKI: Number 1 for digital ski news

Your digital platform for ski news, resort information, travel, equipment rental, sport, money saving deals and everything connected with snowsports – web site, social media & more.

The post It’s Summer In The Mountains Folks! appeared first on PlanetSKI.