Why I Liked the Swiss Alps More in Summer Than Winter

I remember sitting on the sunlit terrace of The Alpina Gstaad last June, Aperol Spritz in one hand, book in the other. The Bernese Oberland stretched out in front of me, green, rolling, relaxed. I felt genuinely at peace.

It was quite a strong contrast to a few months earlier, in February, when I’d visited Gstaad on a bachelorette trip and suddenly found myself sitting next to a ghost of the past from Monaco, while navigating a room full of social pressure, fur coats, and the relentless expectation to look good and be seen. Something I do enjoy from time to time, but when I go on holiday, my main aspiration is to relax. That means no make-up if I don’t feel like it, and no forced small talk when all I want is to walk straight to my own table. Winter in Gstaad is electric, but it demands something from you. Summer has no expectations, and just lets you be. 

The same place, but an overwhelmingly different experience. 

The Alps Have a Summer Secret

For anyone who has only experienced the Swiss Alps in winter, the summer version might surprise you, like it did to me. The mountains don’t disappear when the snow melts, if anything, they become more themselves. More green, lush, and joyful. The air is cooler and cleaner than almost anywhere else in Europe, the light lasts long into the evening, and the pace slows to something that actually feels like a holiday.

Last August I also spent time in Andermatt, escaping the heat of Lugano with a 90-minute drive north. The temperature was remarkably lower than in Ticino, pleasantly warm enough to sunbathe outside, but cool enough to actually breathe. Without the rush of the ski slopes and the FOMO that comes with them, I found myself properly appreciating the lounge facilities at The Chedi for the first time. The pool outside was lively, and surprisingly enough, had more Dolce Vita vibes than I’d expected.

Privacy Is the New Luxury

I’m not the only one who has discovered the Swiss Alps in the summer. European summers push past forty degrees in Spain and Italy, the so-called coolcation is becoming a serious travel consideration rather than a niche one. Swiss tourism boards have noticed — hiking and cycling are being actively promoted as the new mountain sports, and the infrastructure is following. With less guaranteed snow in the mountains, it also makes sense to start seeing Switzerland as a summer destination — ski seasons are only getting shorter

But apart from the obvious climate change, I think the bigger change here lies in consumer behaviour. Who genuinely enjoys an overcrowded beach and overpriced restaurants in 2026? Where ten years ago the loud beach club that turned into a day party was the place to be, the screaming champagne showers are now seen as tacky and passé. From an inside perspective, I’ve noticed how elite travellers are seeking something different from their summer holiday. Something more private, and a place where they can recharge, like the Six Senses hotel in Crans Montana.

Two of my favourite online Swiss voices — GstaadGuy and CVLager — have been articulating this for a while now: that real luxury today is found in discretion, in wellness, and in experiences that don’t require an audience.

The Six Senses spa at Six Senses Crans Montana (image courtesy: Compresso PR)

Some Personal Favourites — In Winter and Summer

If you’re considering the Swiss Alps this summer, here are my favourite hotels I’d keep on returning to:

• Six Senses Crans-Montana — leading the wellness conversation in the Alps right now with new longevity retreats. (I’ll post more on this tomorrow!)
• The Alpina Gstaad — warmer and more intimate in summer than you might expect
• The Chedi Andermatt — best appreciated slowly, without ski boots on.

The Alps in winter, you already know by now. But the Alps in summer? That’s the version I’ll be telling people about.

AUTHOR : Lisa van Leer

IMAGE COURTESY: Lisa van Leer unless stated otherwise