New dynamic initiatives are being spearheaded in a bid to boost business levels in the mountains during the summer season. As they grapple with the need to diversify their range of tourist activities and generate new revenue streams, some of the most iconic destinations – whether the Savoie / Haute-Savoie regions, the resorts of Tignes and La Plagne in the French Alps, the Pyrenees and other locations in Europe, or even tourist hotspots on the other side of the Atlantic – are looking towards sustainable leisure activities as a way of preserving mountain towns and communities while attracting families and adventure-seekers alike. Read on to discover how mountain resorts are tearing up the rule book on summer holidays, including some examples of how they are taking mountain tourism down a more sustainable path.

Mountain towns and communities looking for a new game plan

Mountain resorts have long been associated with skiing and other winter sports, but they have been trying to find ways of unlocking and developing their summer potential for several years now. The lack of snow cover and climate change issues are prompting resorts to head back to the drawing board and come up with a new array of activities to continue pulling in the tourists, keep jobs safe and promote growth across mountain towns and communities. The challenge of offering a varied range of activities that respect the environment and promise unforgettable experiences for the whole family is nothing short of immense. Fun and sustainable activities, such as summer biathlons for beginners, giant zip lines and climbing, are surging in popularity as increasing numbers of holidaymakers are drawn to the idea of connecting with nature for a more authentic experience, while minimising their impact on the environment.

Examples of sustainable activities in the French Alps

With a 7.5% increase in visitor levels to the mountains in August 2024 compared to the previous year (source: ANMSM), and a record-breaking 8% in the Pyrenees, hiking is the number one activity for attracting tourists to the mountains during the summer season.

Source : Observatoire Savoie Mont-Blanc 2024

The famous alpine resort of Tignes boasts a wide range of sustainable activities. Hiking continues to reign supreme, with countless waymarked trails snaking their way across Vanoise National Park and leading to any number of unspoiled lakes high up in the mountains. Mountain biking is also in the spotlight with several trails catering for every proficiency level. Families enjoy discovering the local wildlife and plant-life, as well as the nature-based activities on offer throughout their trip.

Every stay in a holiday residence or vacation rental in La Plagne in the Savoie region is a golden opportunity to admire the exceptional surroundings by taking part in one of the many activities available, such as hiking or mountain biking. The resort encourages visitors to embrace active mobility and discover the local heritage, while taking care to reduce the tourist infrastructure’s environmental footprint.

Renowned for its ski area, the resort of Val d’Isère has also developed a programme of summer activities centred around its lake and hiking trails. Mountain biking and walks with the family are the ideal way for getting up close and personal with the natural environment and breathing in the clean, fresh air of the mountains in Isère.

Tourists visiting L’Alpe d’Huez can also have fun while helping others by taking part in an activity to support an association. Cyclists, hikers and runners can sign up for the Climbing for Life event between 21 to 23 August, where part of their registration fee is donated to the Diabetes League and Sport to Change Diabetes.

HOW HACE RESERTS ADAPTED THEIR SKI LIFTS TO CHAMPION SUSTAINABILITY DURING THE SUMMER SEASON ? CHEK OUT THE MOUNTAIN PLANET ARTICLE HERE 

This summer, families travelling to the Queyras valley in the Hautes-Alpes region can make a detour to the four-season biathlon stadium in Ceillac, located at an altitude of 1,650 metres. They can put their aiming skills to the test in the rifle shooting range, with 15 targets at 50 metres, and 10 targets at 10 metres. They can also check out the three roller skiing trails, stretching 900 metres, 1.5 km and 2.5 km. These are just some of the activities that could pave the way to a future biathlon champion.

France’s national parks shine a light for sustainable tourism

Each national park in France, whether Vanoise, Écrins or Mercantour, has achieved international benchmark status when it comes to blazing a trail for sustainable mountain tourism. Each park offers a host of regulated activities, mainly hiking where people can discover the lakes and local wildlife. Mountain biking has been banned in many parks, since cycles tend to erode the soil in what is already a fragile environment. These parks have been a source of inspiration for many countries around the world, particularly the United States and Canada, where growing efforts are being made to protect the mountain landscapes and inject new lifeblood into the local economy.

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United States and Canada: scaling up ambitions to drive sustainable mountain development

On the other side of the Atlantic, mountain communities are also venturing down the sustainability road and occasionally drawing inspiration from the Alps and France’s national parks by developing educational programmes focused on preserving biodiversity and organising natural workshops for the whole family.

Montana is an exceptional playground for offering sustainable activities, such as hiking along unspoiled trails, observing the wildlife, heading out on a cycle ride, saddling up for a horse ride, or staying in an eco-designed residence. Some ski areas, like Antelope Butte, are treading a similar path to the resorts in the French Alps and Savoie by adopting a non-profit model with reinvestments in the local environment.

In Quebec, the resort of Mont-Tremblant is demonstrating its eco-friendly credentials by taking part in initiatives aimed at shrinking its carbon footprint. Summer activities also include hiking, mountain biking, wildlife observation and awareness-raising workshops that embrace the spirit of family holidays in the mountains. Jacques-Cartier Park offers over 100 km of trails and water sports, with shuttle access to reduce the impact on the environment.

The Vallée Bras-du-Nord community park in Quebec has also given pride of place to hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and canyoning, while supporting sustainable and inclusive management practices, offering fun mountain holidays for adventure-seekers and nature-lovers alike.

The mountains: a sustainable holiday destination for tomorrow’s world

To stimulate business during the summer season while preserving the mountain environment, resorts across the Alps, the Pyrenees and the Isère and Savoie regions are now offering an extensive programme of activities, including swimming in high-altitude lakes, family hiking excursions, downhill mountain biking, nature park discovery sessions, educational workshops for children and adults, and cultural visits for exploring the mountain heritage. The appeal of heading to the mountains during the summer holidays can also be explained by the fact that a vacation rental or chalet far away from the hustle and bustle of the city allows tourists to get closer to nature and support the local economy.

The mountains are well and truly a sustainable holiday destination for tomorrow’s world. From the Alps to Savoie, from Tignes to Val-d’Isère, from La Plagne to the Pyrenees, as well as other resorts across Europe and North America , the mountains are clearly carving a reputation as the ideal destination for a responsible holiday. The mountains epitomise the principles of sustainable tourism with their range of activities for discovering and sharing, while respecting the environment. Offering unique experiences during a trip to the mountains, whether staying in a vacation rental or tourist residence, helps open tourists’ eyes to a new way of living with nature, whether among friends or together with the family, without forgetting that the challenge for mountain industry professionals is ensuring that these new summer activities sidestep the pitfalls that beset winter activities in the mountains.