12 Mountain Vacations: Hiking, Biking, and More

Written By Krista Nannery

The Tirolean Alps in Austria

Here’s the truth: if your crew loves fresh air, fast gondolas, and the smug satisfaction of “10,000 steps before lunch,” summer in the mountains beats summer at the beach. Fewer crowds, cooler temps, cleaner views. And in the Alps (plus at a couple of North American ringers), resorts roll out kid-friendly programming, easy access to trails, e-bikes galore, lakes you can actually swim in, and spas you’ll unapologetically abandon your family for—at least for an hour.

Below are twelve luxury, family-friendly bases I trust for hiking, biking, and high-altitude living. I’ve kept it practical: what makes each resort a smart pick, how it helps you keep everyone, and why it’s worth the money. Ready to talk mountain vacations? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

Austria

Rote Wand Gourmet Hotel, Lech am Arlberg (Vorarlberg)
This is Austria’s culinary pilgrimage site disguised as a family-friendly mountain lodge. Days start with e-bikes and alpine hikes; nights end with a 19-course tasting menu in the Rote Wand Chef’s Table that food obsessives whisper about. (Rote Wand has a two-Michelin star restaurant!) The spa and outdoor pool hit that perfect slope-side serenity, while the kids’ club and cooking classes keep younger guests engaged. It’s understated luxury with edge—ideal for families who treat dinner like an event, not an afterthought. I just met with Joschi, the owner of this property, the other week at International Luxury Travel Market in the Bahamas and he is a DELIGHT.

Alpin Resort Sacher, Seefeld (Tirol)
Seefeld’s high plateau is summer candy: guided hikes, e-bike tours, golf, and a wellness program that actually feels bespoke instead of box-checked. Alpin Resort Sacher layers on polished service and serious spa time, so grown-ups can recover while kids plot the next chairlift. It’s an elegant, zero-drama base with a curated activity program—think hiking, biking, yoga—run by people who know the trails better than Google Maps. Families who value structure (and a great pool) click here. But solo travelers and couples will be equally well-tended to.

Italy

Hotel Gardena Grödnerhof, Ortisei (Val Gardena)
In the heart of Val Gardena, this Relais & Châteaux property offers refined alpine style, award-winning cuisine, and proximity to the Alpe di Siusi—Europe’s largest alpine pasture. Families can hike, cycle, or ride lifts straight into adventure, then return to spacious suites, a children’s club, and a wellness center built for recovery.

Berechtsgaden in the Bavarian Alps

Germany

Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden
Perched high in the Bavarian Alps just across the Austrian border, Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden is a five-star alpine hideaway where luxury and adventure meet. Families wake up to sweeping mountain views, then head out for hiking, e-biking, paragliding, or lake excursions on nearby Königssee. Back at the resort, kids can splash in the pool while parents recharge in the award-winning spa. With spacious suites, refined dining, and year-round activities, it’s the perfect base for an active luxury family escape. I am a a Kempinksi preferred partner; you should always book Kempinksi properties through a travel advisor.

The Bernese Oberland

Switzerland

Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof, Grindelwald (Bernese Oberland)
Classic Alpine styling, modern comforts, and a location that puts you minutes from lifts and mountain trains. In summer, you’ve got 500+ km of hiking and 160 km of MTB trails at your doorstep—plus indoor pool time when weather breaks bad. Suites and chalets work nicely for families, and service is old-school Swiss (in a good way). This is “basecamp for the Jungfrau” without giving up creature comforts or walkability. I also met with this property at International Luxury Travel Market and know they will take great care of you.

The Alpina Gstaad, Gstaad
If you want five-star polish with genuinely thoughtful family programming, Alpina delivers: guided hiking and mountain biking tours, treasure hunts, cheese-dairy visits, even via ferrata intros. You get the full Gstaad aura—immaculate trails, pristine picnic spots—and a spa you’ll remember long after your quads stop complaining. It’s the rare luxury hotel that treats kids like VIPs without turning adults’ spaces into a playground.

CERVO Mountain Resort, Zermatt
CERVO calls itself a “base camp for exploration,” and for once the marketing matches reality. You’re under the Matterhorn with direct access to trails, lake days, and Zermatt’s network of lifts. The vibe is modern-Alpine and wellness-forward—great for families who want nature by day, design-led lounging by late afternoon. Flexible lodging (lodges/suites) makes it easy to spread out. Bonus: on-property activities keep teens busy when you declare spa amnesty.

Waldhotel Arosa, Arosa (Graubünden)
Arosa is an unsnobby summer gem with themed trails, adventure parks, BBQ spots, and cold-stream-splashing galore. Waldhotel leans into families with a kids’ club, kids’ restaurant options, and “let’s-actually-use-it” spa perks. It’s a relaxed, practical choice: lace up at the door and go—no hour-long transfers to reach the good stuff. If you want value, variety, and less peacocking, start here.

AlpenGold Hotel Davos, Davos
Sculptural architecture outside; kid-magnet programming inside. Expect creative workshops, climbing, a private cinema, and easy access to Davos Adventure Park (high-wire + cycling). Parents get a proper spa and big-view balconies; kids get structured fun and huge trail networks nearby. It’s a smart “everyone wins” compromise when your group spans little kids to teens—and you still want real luxury.

North America (for the Alps-at-home crowd)

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch (Beaver Creek, Colorado)
Summer here is not an afterthought: hiking, mountain biking, fly-fishing, rafting, Jeep tours—and a Ritz Kids program that buys you a precious spa hour. The location on Beaver Creek Mountain makes spontaneous trail time painless, and food options keep everyone from cranky toddler to protein-seeking teen happy. If you want “park-and-play” simplicity with five-star service, this is your move.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler (British Columbia, Canada)
Whistler in summer is a cheat code: world-class bike park, mellow valley trails, paddleboarding on glacier-fed lakes, and a village that actually entertains teens. Four Seasons wraps it in service, wellness programming, and easy logistics (concierge handles gear, guides, and transfers). It’s a big-mountain playground with a luxury safety net—perfect for families who mix adrenaline with spa robes.

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek (Colorado)
Right in the action at Beaver Creek Village, Park Hyatt is a practical luxury base with lawn games, kid-friendly events, and immediate lift access for hiking and biking. Summer brings golf, rafting, fly-fishing, and those long, golden-hour evenings on the terrace that make you forget bedtime exists. It’s an easy “we want it all within steps” choice.

How to Pick (and Not Overthink It)

  • Start with altitude tolerance. If your family wilts above 6,000 feet, ease into the Alps (Arosa, Davos, Grindelwald) before committing to Colorado’s thin air. Parents sleep better; kids whine less.

  • Prioritize lift access and on-site guides. Time is money. Resorts with lifts/gondolas at—or very near—the door make spontaneous hikes doable. Places like Alpina Gstaad (guided hikes/MTB) and Alpin Resort Sacher (e-bike tours, activity programs) shine here.

  • Buy the e-bike fantasy. E-bikes flatten arguments (and hills). You’ll go farther, see more, and still have gas for the pool.

  • Weather hedging matters. Pick properties with real indoor pools/spas and kids’ clubs (Waldhotel Arosa, AlpenGold Davos, the Beavers in Colorado) so rain doesn’t ruin you.

  • Request connecting rooms or suites early. Summer is peak family season in the Alps now; you’re competing with Europeans who know the drill. The best layouts go first.

  • Plan two “anchor” activities per day. A morning hike + an afternoon bike/rope park is plenty. If you overschedule, you’ll spend more time negotiating than moving.

  • Bribe shamelessly with food. Mountain picnics, hut lunches, gelato stops. The Alps practically invented scenic caloric justification.

Bottom Line

Beach trips are great. But summer mountains deliver real variety—every day, new trail, new lake, new gondola selfie—without the sunburn, sand-in-everything chaos, or crowds. Choose a resort that fronts the fun (lifts, trails, guides) and backs it up with kid-credible programming and an adult-quality spa. Do that, and everyone wins.

Ready to build your family’s mountain playbook? I’ll tailor the right base (or two), match you with guides, secure the VIP perks, and lock the room types that sell out first. Book a complimentary vacation consultation here, and let’s turn “we should do an Alps trip someday” into dates on the calendar.

About Krista

I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad, and have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Prior to moving to Florida to take care of my elderly mom with Parkinson’s Disease, I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England. My background and 20 year career in the investment management industry have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others as a Virtuoso travel advisor. I offer a 30 minute complimentary vacation consultation to anyone looking to plan their next trip.

Ways I Can Help You

Krista Nannery
Next

You Need a Wellness Getaway: Eight Escapes That Actually Deliver