Calm & Cool or Adrenaline Fuelled Options in The Alps this Summer

Forget the Med! This summer is all about wellness, rejuvenation and new challenges, with more people choosing to holiday in the mountains

 A shift in summer holiday trends towards wellness, nature and new activities is seeing demand for the mountains grow according to chalet specialist OVO Network, which is reporting August occupancy the highest it’s been since it started operating in 2010.

Chris Thompson, director of OVO Network, says: “Over the years we’ve seen steadily growing demand for the summer months from British holidaymakers. A number of exceptionally hot summers has led to many turning their backs on the heat of the Med, but there’s also a definite shift towards wellness and outdoor activities – both of which are at the heart of an Alpine holiday.”

The company, which has over 200 chalets across the French and Swiss Alps, as well as Lake Annecy, says that many mountain resorts have been evolving to offer high quality summer experiences that tap into the demand for health and well-being.

Wellness activities offered this summer now include everything from Toumo yoga (yoga of ‘inner fire’ which takes place in an Alpine river) and Qi Gong (a thousand year old Chinese movement and breathing practice) to Feldenkrais (a type of movement therapy) and the famed thermal spas such as at Saint Gervais.

Chalet Mousqueton

For more action, adrenaline fuelled activities available include paragliding, white water rafting, canyoning, trail running, via ferrata and mountain biking – with many ski lifts operating throughout the summer months to give easy access to the mountains.

Beyond this there are hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails – everything from lakeside strolls to challenging treks, as well as world-famous cycling routes (the Tour de France will be in the Alps again this summer), fabulous outdoor swimming complexes, lake water sports such as sailing and wakeboarding, and more.

Chris adds: “The resorts have been proactive in embracing the demand for wellness, healthy living and nature. They’ve developed some fantastic activities and innovated their offering, ensuring the mountains now offer a year round playground for the whole family.”

OVO Network hand picks all of its chalets, focusing on authentic mountain resorts, with many offering facilities such as swimming pools, hot tubs, cinema rooms, table tennis, barbecues and more.

Just Some of the Many Chalet Choices – all prices for seven-nights from 5 July 2025. Other chalets and dates are available.

• Chalet de Paul et Marie Manigod – €1690. Pictured top. A guest favourite, this lovely chalet offers great value and breathtaking mountain Aravis views. It has Cool for Kids facilities, petanque, a barbecue and an outdoor dining area. Sleeps up to eight guests.
• Chalet Mousqueton La Clusaz – €4490. A lovely chalet with an outdoor swim spa, hot tub and gym, perfectly placed for enjoying all of the activities of picturesque La Clusaz and surrounding Annecy Mountains. Sleeps up to 14 guests (12 adults).
• Chalet Wonderland Séez/Les Arcs – €5690. Enjoy breakfast in France and lunch in Italy when you stay at this luxury chalet with its swimming pool and hot tub. The chalet is surrounded by beautiful walking trails. Sleeps up to 12 guests (10 adults).
• Chalet OCimes, Samoëns – €3690. Pictured below. Relax in the sauna or hot tub at this lovely chalet just 1km from the centre of picturesque Samoëns. There’s also a large garden and terraces to enjoy the sun. Sleeps up to 12 guests (10 adults).
• Chalet Woodman Saint Gervais – €6490. Pictured directly above. With plenty of space for up to 14 guests, this chalet has a fabulous outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and a cinema room. There’s also a large garden and outdoor dining area.

To discover the full range of chalets visit ovonetwork.com.