Summer sun, skiing ... and the Alps?

What you need is a break, to get away from it all; some fresh air and breathtaking scenery; the opportunity to play some golf, go walking or relax in a spa. Ever thought about visiting an Alpine resort during the warmer months?

On the edge of the Vanoise National Park, the French station of Courchevel has long been regarded as one of the world’s most stylish ski destinations attracting the likes of Russian billionaires and French celebs. Much more tranquil in summer than winter, when lush green pastures replace snow and ice, this is definitely the place to go if you want a relaxing break in luxury surroundings.

Hotel Manali, which opened in 2008, is the latest addition to the resort’s 14-strong (and counting) stable of de luxe hotels. This 34-room chalet-style hotel takes its name from a Himalayan village, whose influence is felt throughout – not least in the 600m2 Mahayana spa where guests can enjoy a dip in the turquoise waters of the ‘tropical’ pool before indulging in a de-stressing beauty treatment using plant-based Anne Sémonin products; chilling out with a herbal tea in the company of stone buddhas enhances the experience.

You might be far from the madding crowd but you won’t be far from a good meal. Hitch a lift in Manali’s BMW 4x4 shuttle to Hotel Chabichou where Michel Rochedy serves up such delights as sea bass confit in mountain hay bouillon with smoke-flavoured cream followed by chestnut crunch with pears infused with caramel in his two-star Michelin restaurant. You might even be tempted to book yourself a place on one of his Thursday-morning cookery courses.

Over the border in Switzerland, Verbier is the perfect place for active sorts, culture vultures and families. From mountain-biking to canyoning, from glacier walking with a mountain guide to soaring above the peaks on a helicopter tour, there’s something to interest everyone. Kids will particularly love the rope walk through the treetops, horse-riding or having a go at mini-golf while mum and dad play a round at Les Esserts – 18 holes of challenging terrain set against a backdrop of stunning scenery.

Fans of classical music should head to the resort during the last two weeks in July when the annual Verbier Festival takes place; about 40,000 visitors descend upon the Alpine idyll to see and hear some of the world’s leading musicians.

As well as browsing galleries like that of contemporary dealer Gul Coskun, art lovers should head down the mountain to the town of Martigny, which is home to the Pierre Gianadda Foundation. Here, visitors will find temporary exhibitions by renowned artists past and present (this summer you’ll find Courbet, Picasso, de Staël and Da Vinci) plus a sculpture park, mosaics by Marc Chagall and a classic car museum featuring one-of-a-kind models.

One of the most desirable places to stay is Chalet Adrien, part of the Relais & Chateaux group. Aside from offering comfortable accommodation in one of its 29 cosy, traditional rooms, the hotel also runs art courses and wine workshops where you can learn about the local vino. I wonder if Verbier’s regular visitors Sarah Ferguson, Richard Branson and James Blunt know their Valais from their Ticino?

Mention the Italian Dolomites and one is instantly transported back to the 1950s when Hollywood A-listers such as David Niven and Audrey Hepburn could be spied hiding behind dark glasses enjoying a piste-side espresso.

The resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, which hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics, is still out in front in the glamour stakes and has been the location of several blockbusting films including The Pink Panther, For Your Eyes Only, Von Ryan’s Express and the nailbiting Cliffhanger starring Sylvester Stallone.

Hotel Cristallo is one of The Leading Small Hotels of the World and was voted Europe’s Leading Ski Resort in the 2007 World Travel Awards. The 73-room hotel and spa is the ideal place from which to explore the adrenaline-inducing activities that this stunning area has to offer.

Via Ferrate, which can now be found in many countries, were invented in the Dolomites during the First World War as a means of mobilising troops. This network of iron ladders and metal rungs, which have been hammered into the rockface, allows climbers of all abilities to explore the region’s dizzy heights in a unique way and is best experienced with a guide. Nordic Walking, climbing and summer skiing are also easy to arrange through the tourist office.

But for those who like to take life at a more serene pace, Hotel Cristallo can organise outings with a personal shopper around the swish boutiques in Cortina or Venice. The hotel also organises visits to Venice Casino.

Lying on the deck of a yacht in the Med might never have the same appeal again. Well, maybe …..

ENDS

INFORMATION BOX

COURCHEVEL

Hotel Manali
Tel: 00 33 (0)4 79 08 07 07
www.hotelmanali.com

Hotel-Restaurant Chabichou
Tel: 00 33 (0)4 79 08 00 55
www.chabichou-courchevel.com

Tourist Office
Tel: 00 33 (0)4 79 08 00 29
www.courchevel.com

Getting there: from the UK, you can take a scheduled flight to Lyons or Geneva and then a taxi or air transfer. If you wish to come by private jet you can fly direct to Courchevel’s altiport (tel: 00 33 4 79 08 00 91, www.helicopter-courchevel.com).

VERBIER

Chalet Adrien
Tel: 00 41 (0)27 771 62 00
www.chalet-adrien.com

Les Esserts Golf Club
Tel: 00 41 (0)27 771 53 14
www.verbiergolf.com

Verbier Festival
Tel: 00 41 (0)848 771 882
www.verbierfestival.com

Pierre Gianadda Foundation
Tel: 00 41 (0)27 722 39 78
www.gianadda.ch

Tourist Office
Tel: 00 41 (0)27 775 38 88
www.verbier.ch

Getting there: take a scheduled flight to Geneva (106 miles away) or private charters can go to nearby Sion (Tel: 00 41 (0)27 329 06 00, www.sionairport.ch). Verbier has a train station but it’s more convenient to take a taxi, although several companies offer helicopter transfers from both airports.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO

Hotel Cristallo
Tel: 00 39 (0)4 36 88 1111
www.cristallo.it

Tourist Office
Email: cortina@infodolimiti.it
http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/Cortina/ce/index.html

Getting there: The nearest airport is Venice Marco Polo (100 miles away). For helicopter transfers from Venice to Cortina (35mins) see www.elifrulia.it or call 00 39 (0)4 81 77 8901.