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When the long ski holiday is over by spring, the first thing we want to do is head to the beach. This generally means packing up the car and heading to the crowded coast for some sand-in-the-fanny-fun. What if you could, however, leave the SPF 900 sunblock, the sandcastle mold, the beach toys, umbrella and oversized  towels at home and head to a more temperate location?

When all head to the beach, I know it’s time for me to head to the peaks. I mean, we head to the mountains in the summer rather than the beach during our vacation for several good reasons. Not only can we do some great outdoor activities, but we can also swim and sail without the throngs of Speedo-sporting visitors. You’ll always find “less” in the mountains during the summer, in a good way.

1. Less Crowds

If you’ve ever done much European beach-hopping, then you know how chockablock and unruly the beaches can become. Yes, I’ve been lucky enough in the past to find the quiet cove, but to tell you the truth, I want some amenities with my holiday. This means I’m stuck going to the crowded beaches. Rather than deal with this, I like to get out in nature. I head to Kranjska Gora and hike with my gal in the Zgornjesavska Valley. The trails are signposted and the treks start in the valleys and head over the alpines. Plus, there’s plenty of activities on and off the pure (not salt) water: canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, cycling, fishing, golf and wellness spas. The summer in the Three Valleys near Meribel-Mottaret proffers more than winter skiing, rated one of the top destinations within the Trois Vallees. Meribel-Mottaret includes mountain biking, golf, Tour de France and other race competitions.

2. Less Scorching

There’s one thing I always keep in mind when I choose a destination for a summer recess—the higher you go, the cooler the temps become. Yes, a mountain vacation is preferable to a seaside one due to the burning sun. If you’ve ever gone home burnt or blistered, you can catch my drift. Maribor Pohorje in Slovenia, for example, offers loads of summer fun. You can play paintball by day, trek up primeval forest trails by noon and take a horseback ride by sunset. Being alone in the cool, quiet woods sure beats the sweltering heat of a huge bar of sand. Alta Badia in Italy becomes the same type of outdoor haven in the summer. Steadfast in the Dolomites, it’s always possible to get outdoors without all the beach-side heat.

3. Less Salty Water

OK, I know I’ve mentioned the water a couple times, but I just need to reiterate it. I don’t know how anyone can even compare the ocean’s salty and windswept waters against a fresh mountain lake. If you had the choice to swim in brine or crisp water, which would you choose? I know which one I’d head to. The mountain lakes, streams and reservoirs provides a less salty swim. That reason is one alone that keeps me coming back for more each year.

4. Less Sailors

Let me clarify, there are less sailors in the way of wind. You can sail over these waters at twice the speed of the ocean. I’ve even seen it windy enough for kiteboarders and windboarders to have a rocketing time on mountain lakes. In the Vanoise National Park near Champagny in France, for example, I’ve rafted, canoed, swam in the rivers and fished along the banks. I can get to the water, have plenty of water sports minus the multitudes.

5. Less Imitation

Often when I go to the beach, I see the same chain food restaurants, the same hotels, and the same scenery. This is not the case when I head to the mountains for a summer vacation. Places like Marilleva, Passo Tonale, Rogla, Livigno, Courchevel, La Plagne and Chamonix were founded before tourist even came to ski. These were once (and some still are) real working villages not pre-built to draw crowds with duplicated beauty like you see along the coast. A mountain retreat will surely have less imitation and, by all means, more culture than any seaside tourist trap.

To do something different with your summer vacation time, remember that less can be better, forget the beach and head up!

Here are a few of the not-to-miss activities offered in Saas-Fee, Switzerland this summer:

• The glacier village boasts a new illumination concept! Now, with the warmer feeling given by the light design, strolling through Saas-Fee glacier village at night is really worth experiencing!

• Photos are taken automatically when you go down the ”Feeblitz” toboggan run. You can finally show your friends proof that you did go tobogganing in July!

• There is a new themed trail in Kreuzboden, for those who want to experience nature differently. It’s about hiking as much as spirituality, so lets just say you need to see for yourself!

• In many hotels, the free and unlimited use of the PostBus (shuttle bus) and mountain cableways (including Metro Alpin) during your stay is included in the price, among which are the Hotel Schweizerhof Gourmet and Spa and the Hotel Eden.

• Saas-Fee great offer of restaurants and entertainment is getting bigger! For traditional Swiss cuisine, the Ferienart Resort & Spa is collaborating with the Restaurant Vernissage to offer gourmet cuisine AND an incredible view over the Saastal in the new Vernissage Berghaus Plattjen. Also, a mountain restaurant at 2205 meters over sea level adds to the thrill of excursionists came to admire views of the Mattmark Reservoir. Coffee lovers don’t want to miss the new CofFee – bar & smooth music. Its name says it all, perfect coffee, smooth music, sounds great!

You can get more information about Saas-Fee’s summer activities here, and don’t forget to book your accommodation ahead to take advantage of early-bird reductions!

Just because the winter is over, it doesn’t mean that you don’t want to still hit the slopes. Unless you choose to go up high, skiing in the summer can be difficult but it shouldn’t stop you from heading to the mountains.

Most resorts have accommodations for the rugged outdoor adventurer in lieu of ski and snowboard vacationers. Many resorts are open 24/7/365. Like suggested before, it’s best to make reservations and book ahead ‘cause you certainly won’t be the only one to think of mounting up and hitting the trails by bike. Here are some of the most interesting places to go mountain biking, once the snow melts and the ski bunnies pack up for home.

Saalbach, Austria: This area of Austria is a great place to off-terrain ride. The area is set up with an already-existing 700+ km bike routes and another ~500 in the mountains and the valleys respectively. Everyone agrees Austrians (and those who visit) are hardcore. The Saalbach Hinterglemm takes the number one spot because it encompasses several bike parks, cable car networks and mountains/valleys—five in all—into one ticket, aptly named the GraVity Ticket. It also presents the advantage of usually not be overcrowded.

Chamonix, France: Everyone knows the French are totally into hiking and trekking and road bike racing. However, there are plenty of places in France where the mountain biker is a respected athlete. I tend to hit up Chamonix before the hordes of Paris residents decide it’s time to take a scoot in the country come July and August. In fact, many single-track rides are only open before this summer influx of Parisians. That said, the French also love maps and making maps. They make some par excellence maps of the area. A visit to the local tourist office will get you hooked up. The gullies are great for beginners and the experts will have some technical challenges climbing out of the valleys.

Les Deux Alpes, France: VTT, translated means mountain biking (or Velo Tout Terrain), is a big deal in this part of France. There’s pretty much something involving a bike at each and every weekend juncture. I love to VTT ride all day and then settle down with a glass of merlot, bleeding steak and live renditions of 80s music (common at small town festivals for some reason). With Fifi (the poodle) never far off, we make small talk through the whole night. At any rate, there’s plenty of “official” and “unofficial” bike trails. The FFC has over 125 km marked, with 20 downhill and 15 cross-country rides. This is a fantastic replacement to a ski holiday. I often bring a helmet camera to capture the rides for You Tube and Facebook.

Trois Vallées, France: The Three Valleys in France include the known Meribel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Courchevel, and et al. Of course, there are plenty of other villages strewn about the valleys too. When I’m beat but want to get out, I often catch one of the seemingly hundreds of lifts and head to the top for some panoramic downhill trails. I go home less tired but still content on an easier day’s riding. Reservations can be made at any one of the more central ski resorts but don’t be fooled: it is preferable to book in advance as hikers come from far and wide to soak in the scenery.

Any top European mountain bike destination missing from this list?

You’ve been dreaming for years of a mountain biking vacation in the French Alps. This year, you finally have the time to go but are looking for ways to save money. Our suggestion: start planning now! Here is why:

1. The prices of flights tend to go up as the departure date gets closer. Since mountain biking requires some part of planning, waiting for the super last minute discounted stand-by tickets is not the best idea.
2. Most rent-a-cars offer reduced prices or free upgrades for those of us who plans our trips early.
3. Accommodation providers can offer up to 15% of reduction for early birds. More accommodation options at a generally lower price, does it sound good to anyone?
4. By browsing the web, you can discover events to which you want to attend or workshops you would like to sign up for. Places are often limited and prices can be lower if you purchase your tickets before.
5. Also get informed about your resort’s event calendar if you don’t want to participate to any, to make sure NOT to book during those periods. You will avoid surcharges and line ups. Read this short article about the summer events of Les 2 Alpes, in France. You will notice that in this premium summer destinations, where 4 major mountain bike and cycling events take place this year, you need to carefully choose your travel dates to make (save) the most of it.

Maybe you’ve heard of it and either didn’t believe it or didn’t really understand what you were hearing. Let me tell you again in either case: I’m talking about packing up the car with your significant other, friends and/or kids and heading inshore rather than to the coast. Yes, I’m talking about packing the skis in the car rack and taking that ski vacation a little late this year. And, I’m not talking about fake powder either. I’m talking about real snow and ice, and, as you may have guessed, huge, skiable glaciers! Here are some great glacial goals to have for this summer’s skiing schedule.

4. Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is probably one of Europe’s most accessible skiable glaciers, easily get-at-able from several nearby countries. Plus, you won’t have to fight the crowds for some of the best, and often reduced, accommodation. Reservations, however, might be a good idea if you plan on skiing through the weekend. Glacial skiing here is best for beginners and intermediates, as there are not a lot of “obstacles” to dodge. Expert skiers can have some fun, though, challenging the moguls along the route. The summer snowboard park is open to boarders of every level as well. The best times to ski are after a good storm and from 7am till 3pm, you’ll find the freshest powder. Lift passes are comparable to winter prices, however.

3.Verbier, Switzerland
Booking your summer ski vacation (Can you believe I’m saying that?!?) in Verbier might have your friends laughing, but you’ll have the last laugh. Verbier was recently rated as being one of the leading ski zones in all of Europe. It’s because of the pistes, snowboarding, the Mont Fort Glacier and the pristine accommodation. My husband, however, walked away with two blistered ears and a bout of snow blindness after just an hour or so. The kids, too, got a little red necked from the intense sun. You must remember that there’s less filtering of the sun and that it’s really intense up at this altitude. Bring SPF sun lotion—like you’d pack for the beach—and UV protected goggles. It’s wise to strap on the fanny pack with water and snacks as well. You’ve seen your kids H-angry (Hungry + Angry) when they need to eat I’m sure.

2. Alpe d’Huez, France
Alpe d’Huez in France has brought downhillers, snowboarders and even cross-country skiers (3-5 km worth) around for the summer for the many years. It’s one of the places you’d find people mentioning off the tops of their heads when asked, “Where can I summer ski?” The area depends on skiing holidays as a big part of the local economy. However, the glacier skiing has been closed down for an indeterminable amount of time due to the glacier receding. There has been plenty of snow apparently, but they want to make sure that there will be no long-term damage to the glacier before opening it back up to summer skiing. There’s still plenty to do, however, from mountain biking and hiking to volumes of après-ski choices.

1. Les Deux Alpes, France
Talk about a place to really absorb the French countryside—my favorite of all the -sides this side of Europe, mind you. My family loves to get wild in the great outdoors, and Les Deux Alpes in France is probably our most coveted summer vacation destinations. I almost always book my accommodation and reservations in advance, just to make sure I get what I want. From bottom to top, I can get to the top and be gliding down the glacier in less than thirty minutes. (My family moves a bit slower than me, so it takes them about 45 minutes.) Anyway, from mid-June until the last day in August, this is Europe’s largest skiable glacier (3600 m to 2800 m). A ski pass gives way to all sorts of discounts and amenities in the area. Get this at the tourist office upon arrival.