With the summer finally here, most will be dreaming of beach holidays and tropical escapes, so a winter resort may not be high on your list. However, beyond the ski season, many tried-and-test winter resorts make perfect summer destinations. From historic retreats home to some of the best hiking trails in Europe to underrated spots offering a plethora of outdoor activities, these are our favourites.

One of the oldest ski resorts in the French Alps and a popular destination in winter, Alpe d’Huez feels just as vibrant in summer. During the warmer months, a 9-hole golf course is open, featuring a large driving range, pro-shop and a clubhouse serving snacks and drinks, and hosting regular competitions. There are plenty of other outdoor pursuits, including mountain biking, rambling and horse riding too. 

Near the top of Aosta Valley, Breuil-Cervinia can be found in northwest Italy. And thanks to its soaring altitude, the resort's 15 miles (25km) of slopes are open for 'winter' sports throughout the warmer months too. You can also get active with hiking, biking and paragliding, looking out across miles of unspoilt wilderness as you go. 

One of the oldest and finest ski resorts in the Alps, St Anton is renowned for its lively aprés ski scene, impressive snow and superb ski slopes in winter. But summer here is equally as exciting. The resort is even prettier in the warmer months when skiing is swapped for thrilling hikes up the mountain. Whether you fancy a scenic stroll or a challenging climb, there are more than 186 miles (300km) of trails to discover, slicing through some of the dreamiest scenery in the Austrian Alps.

With its highest point thrusting to a whopping 12,792 feet (3,899m), Zermatt is among Europe's tallest and largest ski resorts, and it's one of the few skiing destinations that boasts world-class skiing in all seasons. Visitors to Zermatt, which sits at the foot of the Matterhorn, can ski 365 days a year, while snowboarders and freestylers can test their skills at one of the highest freestyle parks in the Alps. From discovering a glittering glacier palace to riding the world’s highest 3S cableway, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. 

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Nestled in a verdant valley in Wyoming, there’s more to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort than incredible ski slopes. In summer, the snow melts away and the mountains are carpeted in colourful wildflowers. Visitors can take the Bridger Gondola or the Aerial Tram up the mountain and be rewarded with some of the best views in Jackson Hole. Other summer activities include climbing, paragliding, fly fishing and a ropes course.

Discover America's most beautiful mountain towns

Set in a 300-year-old Swiss stone pine forest, Les Arcs is transformed into an outdoor playground for nature lovers in summer. Whether it’s mountain biking, walking on one of the many trails or golfing with incredible Mont-Blanc views, the famous French ski resort offers plenty for summer adventurers. The mountains come alive with wildlife including birds, mountain deer and various different amphibians too. Every Wednesday in the summer season, the village is a haven for children, with free entertainment, games workshops and shows to enjoy.

Known for its glorious natural beauty, Sun Valley is often ranked as one of North America’s top winter resorts and it has plenty to offer in the warmer months too. You can bask in the summer heat while you go horseback riding or flyfishing, all in the incredible setting of the Rocky Mountains of Central Idaho. The resort is also home to one of the only year-round outdoor ice rinks in the US, and Sun Valley’s summer events calendar is filled with concerts, festivals and film screenings too.

Set within the stunning Alpine valley of Les Allures in France, Méribel is a sparkling jewel of Les 3 Vallées, the world’s largest ski area. During summer, as the snow disappears, the charming resort is a mecca for walking, hiking and horseback riding. One of Méribel's biggest summer attractions is its challenging 18-hole golf course, which is set against a beautiful mountain backdrop. 

Situated at the foot of the majestic Tremblant peaks near Montréal, this popular Canadian resort is a four-season holiday destination. Summer activities at Mont Tremblant range from water skiing and kayaking in the clear waters to hiking and climbing up the mountains. Action Tremblant’s zipline adventure offers nature lovers the opportunity to whizz through the treetops too. 

With its magnificent mountain backdrops, premier golfing and pretty rivers and streams, Vail in summer is not to be missed. One of Colorado's best-known ski resorts, it has more than 5,000 acres of terrain, encompassing rugged mountains and gorgeous waterfalls, and it's a great place for summer hiking or mountain biking. At the top of the Eagle Bahn gondola is Epic Discovery, a vibrant recreation centre home to the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster, which winds 3,400 feet (1,036m) around the peaks. There's also mini-golf, tubing and bungee trampolining. 

Just a short drive from Queenstown, New Zealand’s first commercial ski area has been welcoming winter visitors for more than 50 years. Those who fancy some snow will be right at home at Coronet Peak, whose ski season runs from June until October. Alongside skiing, visitors can rent a yooner, which offers a fun mix of skiing and sledging, and travel down the mountain in style. You can also take a gondola ride to Summit View Point and enjoy the famous views at sunset. 

Incredible mountain lakes and lofty peaks await at Val Gardena, the ideal resort in summer. An outdoor paradise in the heart of the Dolomites, Val Gardena offers world-class hiking, biking and climbing opportunities, especially in the warmer months. Beyond the rugged mountain scenery are the towns of Ortisei, Selva di Val and S. Cristina. The picturesque small towns are dotted with artisanal shops and restaurants serving up delicious local dishes. 

A gem of Canada’s Banff National Park, Lake Louise draws millions of visitors throughout the year, and it's a joy in both summer and winter. The area is a haven for wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, black bears and mountain goats, and the Lake Louise gondola is a great place from which to see it. Those wanting a more fast-paced activity can take an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip down Kicking Horse River – the perfect way to cool off. 

Japan’s number one ski resort is beautiful no matter the season. The Shiribetsu River runs right through it so, during the summer, Niseko is a paradise for outdoor water activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, fishing and kayaking. The beautiful river also offers some of the best whitewater rafting in Asia. Hiking trails for all abilities slice through the landscape, many leading to picturesque lookouts and roads offering stirring views across Niseko.

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Seen as the winter playground of the international jet set, St. Moritz is just as glamorous in summer too. The Swiss resort town began as a summer holiday destination due to its healing natural springs. Today, it's brimming with history and culture, with art galleries, shops, restaurants and cafés to explore. Thanks to the Maloja Wind, pretty Lake Moritz becomes a paradise for sailing in summer and is dotted with boats, paddleboarders and swimmers. Several regattas are also held on the lake during the warmer months.

Located on the tallest mountain in Oregon, the Mount Hood Resort has a ski season that never ends. Few North American resorts have the elevation or weather conditions necessary for year-round skiing, but Mount Hood visitors can enjoy shredding the slopes even in July. Alongside skiing and snowboarding, there's a lot to enjoy here, from hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to discovering the woodland routes of the Timberline Bike Park.

At an altitude of 7,546 feet (2,300m) above sea level, Europe’s highest resort offers more than just winter skiing. For adventurers, budding explorers or those wanting to relax, Val Thorens has it all. The resort offers a wide range of summer activities such as tennis, mini-golf, summer tobogganing and hiking. Trails also take walkers past sparkling lakes, jagged mountains and open greenery, offering some of the best views in the French Alps.

If you’re looking for something a little different for a summer getaway, South America’s first ski resort may be the perfect place. It's just over a two-hour drive from Chile's capital Santiago, and the ski season here runs from June until September – that makes it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts and both national and international ski and snowboarding teams. The centrepiece of the resort is the historic yellow-hued Hotel Portillo, on the edge of Inca Lake. Activities on offer include wine tastings, hiking, yoga and tubing, plus rock climbing at the hotel’s climbing wall.

Colorado’s quintessential mountain destination, Breckenridge offers fun-filled adventures all throughout the year. Summer in Breckenridge typically brings beautiful weather, while the slopes are pretty in green. For adventurers, the Epic Discovery park is the best way to make the most of the resort during summer. Notable activities include mountain coasters, alpine slides, climbing walls and more. Another draw is Breckenridge's charming historic downtown, set against the mighty Five Peaks.

Part of the vast Port du Soleil ski area, one of the largest ski and mountain biking areas in the world, Morzine straddles the France-Switzerland border. In summer, the resort’s 404 miles (650km) of ski slopes become wayward trails for hiking and mountain biking. Adrenaline junkies can have a go at the dizzying Fantasticable zip line, which soars across the mountains at 60 miles per hour (100km/h), from the top of the Chaux Fleurie chair lift. Other summer activities include golf, swimming, canoeing and a high ropes adventure course. 

With over 155 miles (250km) of slopes, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest resort in North America. From alpine hiking to running trails, the resort has many summer activities to keep you entertained. One of the biggest attractions of the season is the Guinness World Record-holding PEAK 2 PEAK gondola. Stretching across the peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb, the gondola, at 1.88-miles (3km) long, is the longest unsupported lift span of its kind in the world. The gondola provides unparalleled views across volcanic peaks and coastal rainforests.

LAAX, one of Switzerland’s biggest resorts, is also one of the country’s best summer destinations. More than 143 miles (230km) of mountain bike trails and over 124 miles (200 km) of hiking trails lead to an array of scenic lookouts, offering panoramic views across the Graubünden mountain scenery and beyond. Other highlights in summer include the spectacular Rhine Gorge, also known as the Swiss Grand Canyon, which draws hikers and river rafters from all over the world.

Often overlooked in favour of Japan’s bustling cities, the winter resort of Hakuba, with a beautiful mountain setting in the Japanese Northern Alps, is vibrant year-round. During the green season, the resort has some of the best lift-accessed mountain biking in the country, with plenty of challenging trails to discover. Flanked by lush forests, its lakes are also a haven for water sports such as fishing, swimming and kayaking.

Europe's most southerly resort lies on the north-facing slopes of Spain’s third-highest mountain – and due to this prime location, the Sierra Nevada Ski Resort receives plenty of sunshine all year long, with an average temperature of 20°C (68°F) in the warmer months. Tubing, roller coasters and cycling are just a few of the summer activities to enjoy. For families, the Mirlo Blanco area, home to a wide range of activities and events including the mini-Olympics, is open during summer too.

These are America's most beautiful mountain towns

Perched atop Mount Mansfield, this year-round resort in Vermont is steeped in natural beauty. Summer visitors to Stowe can ride the gondola to the mountain peak, enjoy an adrenaline rush from one of the longest ziplines in the US or swim in a cascading waterfall. For family-friendly activities, there’s a treetop obstacle course or horse riding through peaceful open pastures. 

Home to three mountains over 9,842 feet (3,000m), Sölden brims with stunning sights. And it really comes into its own in the warmer months. More than 186 miles (300km) of hiking trails wind around the mountains, past lush alpine meadows, glaciers and rugged terrain. Some may recognise the resort and surrounding area from the James Bond thriller Spectre. Located on the 10,000-foot (3,048m) Gaislachkogl peak is the 007 ELEMENTS James Bond Adventure World. The unique installation offers visitors an insight into the film through a series of high-tech interactive galleries.

Chamonix draws adrenaline junkies from across the globe all year long. Lying in the Haute-Savoie region of France and dominated by Mont Blanc, the resort has everything you could want from an alpine retreat. The area is renowned for its incredible 217 miles (350km) of hiking trails, the pretty waters of the Avre River and its picture-perfect village. Top attractions include rope courses and the family-friendly Chamonix Leisure Park, which features a thrilling zipline and guided hikes with Siberian huskies. 

Stretching over the mountains between Grindelwald and Wengen, this picturesque Swiss resort has more than winter slopes. Grindelwald village is the epitome of a typical Alpine village, with wooden chalets with sharply pitched roofs set against a beautiful mountain backdrop. Hotels, cafés and shops line the pretty streets, providing the perfect base for exploring all the region has to offer. Hiking, biking and climbing are the go-to summer activities for discovering Grindelwald’s spectacular waterfalls and jagged peaks too. 

These are America's best mountain resorts you'll want to stay at

Set within Austria’s Hohe Tauern mountains, Obertauern is the country’s only purpose-built resort. Characterised by its steep climbs, blissful mountain scenery and more than 174 miles (280km) of hiking trails, Obertauern is an ideal summer destination for the whole family. There are 20 alpine pastures to explore, best viewed on a cable-car ride up one of the peaks or with a leisurely horseback ride through the greenery. For those who want to relax and unwind, there's mountain yoga too. 

Tucked away in the Alps, Garmisch Partenkirchen is one of Germany’s best ski resorts. Home to glacial lakes, gorges and diverse mountain landscapes, the resort is a dreamy place to visit when the snow has melted. And with its epic waterfalls and rapid basins, the Partnach Gorge is one of the region’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Visitors can take a scenic hike to see the gorge up close.

Now discover the marvellous mountains you can climb in one day