Mountain Destinations Worth the Flight

Summer and winter are different trips

The same valley can be a ski destination in February and a hiking one in July, with different transport, different prices and often different open businesses.

Late spring and late autumn fall between the two. Lifts may be closed and high trails still under snow, so those weeks are quiet for a reason.

Getting there

Plan the ground leg carefully. Mountain destinations are usually one to three hours from the nearest airport, and winter road conditions can extend that.

In the Alps, rail plus a local bus is often more reliable than driving. In North America a car is generally necessary, and winter tyres or chains may be legally required.

• Alps: Geneva, Zurich, Innsbruck, Milan as entry airports
• Rockies: Denver, Salt Lake City, Calgary
• Pyrenees: Toulouse, Barcelona
• Dolomites: Venice, Verona, Innsbruck

Altitude and pacing

If you are going above roughly 2,500 metres, take the first day gently, drink more water than usual and avoid a hard hike immediately after arrival.

This applies to ski trips too. The first day at altitude after a long flight is not the day to attempt your longest run.

Weather changes the plan

Have a wet weather option for each day. Mountain forecasts are unreliable beyond about 48 hours and conditions can shift within an hour.

Start early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, and the best light and the emptiest trails are both in the morning.

Booking notes

Mountain accommodation books early for both peak seasons, especially anywhere with limited beds. Ski holidays in school holiday weeks are the extreme case.

Check what is included. Lift passes, equipment hire and local transport cards are sometimes bundled and sometimes not, and the difference is significant.