A Spectacular Swiss Summer

A Spectacular Swiss Summer

There are many reasons why you should choose a Swiss summer holiday this year.

You’ll not experience scenery quite like it anywhere else. The towering, majestic mountains are a true declaration of the power of nature, with rolling green pastures punctuated with vibrant wildflowers in the foreground that draw the eye into the distance.

As the snow melts, frozen steams transform into gushing turquoise torrents, criss-crossing the lush landscape just like the plethora of hiking and biking tracks do. Hibernating wildlife emerges once more, and birdsong rises on the fresh Alpine breeze. Pine forests lie in wait of explorers, serene lakes beckon you in for a dip and picturesque mountain villages – decidedly more peaceful than in winter – welcome summer visitors with open arms.

During summer in Switzerland, the mountains present a vast array of new ways to experience their splendour from top to bottom. There are challenging glacial hikes at their staggering peaks, adrenaline-inducing bike tracks weaving down their craggy sides, peaceful forested rambles to be had at the tree line and exhilarating white water rafting in the valleys. Everyone can find their own personal adventure here.

The mountains are not only for those seeking active excursions. The beautiful surroundings also lend themselves to rest and rejuvenation. Even a swim in a cool, tranquil mountain lake provides a restorative experience to rival any luxury spa, although if that’s your thing, you’ll find plenty of them in nestled within the five-star hotels that are dotted around the resorts. You can reconnect with nature, unplug from the hustle and bustle of daily life and enjoy some quality ‘me-time’ – whatever that looks like to you.

With our year-round base in the mountains, we provide our Swiss summer guests with the same attention to detail that they are accustomed to during their winter breaks with Bramble Ski. We have an incredible selection of summer properties available not only in Verbier and Zermatt , but also further afield in Lech and Val d’Isère.

Whatever your needs or whichever form your ideal summer escape takes, you’ll find your perfect home base within our range of luxury Swiss summer accommodation. Here’s a taste of just a few properties that you could be staying in this year…

Swiss Summer Properties

THE CHRISTIANIA RESIDENCE – ZERMATT

The Christiania Residence comprises five immaculately furnished apartments sleeping between 2 to 14 guests. It is in a prime location just a stone’s throw from Zermatt village centre, and the Klein Matterhorn and Sunnegga lifts, which are two of the eight lifts that remain open during the summer, making it the perfect base for exploration.

Sleeping up to 14, the Christiania Penthouse is ideal for large groups, with it’s light, bright and stylish Alpine feel, private sauna and cinema room. The large sunny balcony offers un-rivalled Matterhorn views too!

Sleek and spacious Apartment 2 is the perfect option for groups of up to six, with a private hot-tub on the terrace, from where you can soak up the scenery.

Apartment 4 is great for a couple’s escape; an excellently-appointed one bedroom apartment, where you can spend some quality time together.

All guests in the Christiania Residence can enjoy shared access to the amazing fully-equipped gym, soothing sauna and dedicated massage room, so guests can unwind after action-filled days exploring.

CHALET MELILOT – VERBIER

Chalet Melilot is a wonderful option for families who want to get the most out of a summer holiday in Verbier. Located in the peaceful Les Esserts area, this free-standing chalet sleeps four across one master and one mezzanine-style twin/double, both of which are en-suite and have beautiful skylights. The interior is clad in beautiful light wood, with stylish, modern furnishings and plenty of sunshine flooding in through large south-facing windows. The open-plan design of the living room, dining room and kitchen creates the perfect space to relax together in after active days hiking or biking, and leads on to a spacious balcony, where you can watch the sun set across the mountains.

CHALET DAPHNE – VERBIER

Just a 5-minute walk from the Médran lift which connects you to some of the best trails on the mountain, is Chalet Daphne. This beautiful stand-alone chalet sleeps up to 10 people, an ideal home base for larger families or friend groups. Blending contemporary furniture with traditional alpine wood, this unique chalet is sophisticated yet characterful. You’ll have wonderful views not only from the south facing terrace, but also from the ambiently-lit dining area and beautiful bedrooms. The furnishings and fixtures throughout make it evident that special care has been taken to create a luxurious and inviting atmosphere. This is the perfect place to welcome guests, entertain and share a memorable summer holiday together in the very heart of Verbier.

CHALET MARMOTTIÈRE – VERBIER

The impressive Chalet Marmottière oozes sophistication, with every last detail meticulously designed to the highest specifications. Nestled in the peaceful and sought-after Les Esserts area, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the spectacular mountains. With a spa and pool to rival the finest hotels, a games room, cinema room and even a bowling alley, you’ll not want for anything more. It may be hard to leave home with so everything you could possibly desire within the walls, but when you do, you’ll be right in the heart of the resort – under a 10-minute drive from the Médran and Savoleyres lifts and Place Centrale. Chalet Marmottière sleeps 18 guests in ultimate comfort, and truly is the pinnacle of luxurious mountain living.

Swiss Summer Activities

PEACE & QUIET

Uniquely, Zermatt is a car-free zone, with only e-busses, e-taxis or horse drawn carriages on the roads. This haven for super clean, fresh air and reduced noise pollution provides a welcome break from city life. Verbier too offers the perfect place for a rejuvenating summer holiday in nature, situated on the sunny plateau that allows for spectacular, panoramic views for miles – no matter where in resort you are.

YEAR-ROUND SKIING IN ZERMATT

If you just can’t get enough of winter sports, in Zermatt you can ski 365 days of the year, with a summer ski area comprising 21 km of piste. This is also the chosen training area for many champion skiers in the summer, as the highest and largest year-round ski area in the Alps. Catch a glimpse of them preparing for the next season here as you cruise around the sunny slopes!

HIKING & BIKING

Zermatt has some fantastic hiking routes from where you can either admire the 4,000m peaks surrounding you, or scale them yourself! There are 400 kilometres of well-signposted trails to explore, and bucket-list hikes to challenge enthusiasts, such as the Europaweg Trek crossing the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, the 5-day Matterhorn Trek or the 4,164m Bretihorn summit. Even just a casual stroll with have you meandering through meadows bursting with alpine flora, passing sparkling turquoise lakes and streams, and most likely spotting some local wildlife. For the foodies, there are gourmet hike packages, which allow you to stop along the way to sample regional delicacies.
Verbier, too, has a great selection of marked paths to suit all ages and abilities. From family-friendly routes with panoramic views, to demanding climbs up staggering peaks, you will find your ideal hike here – the perfect way to exercise, take in the fresh air and enjoy the alpine scenery.

Verbier is especially known for its biking. With 23 enduro trails, 500km of cross-country tracks and numerous paths to ride, as well as the bikepark containing 19km of downhill trails of varying degrees of difficulty – it is no wonder that this resort attracts bikers of all ability levels throughout summer. In August, it plays host to Europe’s largest E-bike festival, lasting several days and jam-packed with tours, races and events sponsored by various famous bike and sports brands.

FAMILIES

Both resorts are incredible destinations for a memorable Swiss summer family escape with loved ones. In Zermatt, a trip to Sunnegga is a must. You’ll find the ‘Wolli adventure park’ there, providing endless entertainment for children, with a large playground, beach and picnic and BBQ areas. Adults can relax by the stunning mountain lake and take a refreshing dip with fantastic Matterhorn views; the ideal day out together in nature.

In Verbier, as well as a plethora of family friendly outdoors activities, there are numerous mountain summer camps on offer for all ages. Our team would be delighted to help you find one which fits your schedule and children’s ages, where they can enjoy sports, music, and language workshops to keep them engaged, educated and entertained.

GASTRONOMY

With many of the incredible restaurants staying open year-round in both resorts, you can indulge in their renowned gastronomy scenes during your summer break.

In Zermatt, don’t miss Chez Vrony, a family-run restaurant on the mountain with delicious local recipes handed down through the generations for over 100 years. Located at Findeln, it provides the perfect sun-trap terrace to rest your weary hiking legs on. Down in the town, Restaurant 1818 is situated within one of Zermatt’s oldest buildings and an amazing dinner spot. Local meats, fresh fish and seasonal vegetables are cooked to perfection on the charcoal grill, and you can enjoy a seat on the beautiful candlelit terrace on balmy summer evenings.

Verbier’s top on-mountain establishment is Le Dahu, perfectly positioned at the cross section of multiple hiking paths, just next to the La Chaux chairlift. It’s ideal for a mid-day stop off to refuel on their delicious Swiss dishes and pizzas whilst soaking up the panoramic views. In the village, you can further indulge in Swiss specialties at the much-loved Fer à Cheval, and there are plenty of options for fine dining including Chalet d’Adrien. However, a stop off at Shed should definitely be on your list – especially if you have hungry kids in tow. This down-to-earth burger joint arguably has the best burgers in town, along with great cocktails to sip on while the kids chow down.

CULTURAL EVENTS

Alpine culture is celebrated throughout the summer months, with various festivals dedicated to age-old local traditions allowing visitors a real insight into the heritage of the region.

In Zermatt, you’ll find daily musical performances from folk groups at the train station square throughout July and August, as well as larger celebrations like the Folklore festival, Stafelalp festival and of course, Swiss National Day.

In Verbier, as well as the E-bike festival in August, there is also the Verbier International Show Jumping Competition, the Inspire Yoga Festival, and most notably the Verbier Festival, one of the Alps’ most prestigious classical music events.

Also, a 1-hour drive from Verbier and 2 hours from Zermatt is the Montreux Jazz Festival. This one-of-a-kind annual event takes place on the shore of glistening Lake Geneva every July, and has previously been graced by the likes of Lionel Richie, John Legend, Mary J Blige and Jamie XX just to name a few. The stunning backdrop makes it well worth the journey, whether you buy tickets to a specific show or simply peruse the free stages and stalls dotted along the lakeside.

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

Something that really shouldn’t be missed on your itinerary in Zermatt is a heli-tour of the spectacular Matterhorn. Making for a truly memorable day trip, it’ll give you a bird’s-eye perspective across the resort and the surrounding dramatic landscape, whilst you learn about its rich, sometimes tragic, but nevertheless impressive history.

Heli-tours are also popular in Verbier, but other great ways to experience the beautiful scenery include paragliding from Ruinettes, or trying the Mont 4 zipline, where you’ll whizz through the air and enjoy spectacular views across the peaks.

CLIMBING

Zermatt, with its 38 peaks towering above 4,00 feet is of course an Alpinist’s paradise. However, you don’t have to be a professional to enjoy climbing. The Forest Fun Park is situated just on the outskirts of the village, and with 31 zip lines and 95 various obstacles it makes for a great family activity among the forest canopy.

In summer in Verbier, the rocky cliff faces become a haven for climbers. There are Via Ferrata routes consisting of a sequence of rungs, ladders, and bridges which can help even less experienced climbers scale the mountain. It is a safe yet adrenaline-inducing experience, sure to give you a great sense of accomplishment when you reach the top (and of course comes with breathtaking views!).

If you’re after something other than a beach holiday this year, then a Swiss summer escape could be for you. Contact us today to begin planning your perfect trip, or browse our full selection of summer chalets.

Image credits: Pascal Gertschen via Zermatt.ch, Yves Garneau, Raphaël Surmont via verbier.ch, Verbier 4Vallées.

31^st May 2022