I must admit that prior to moving to the Alps I never really considered riding lifts to access hiking trails. I used to think it was a party foul to knock off vertical without “earning it.” Not to mention, I’ve always felt that when the snow melts and you see the underbelly of ski resorts such as road scars, rusted equipment, and bare infrastructure, it ain’t that pretty.
However, now that I live 20 minutes from a lift network that takes me 7,700 vertical feet higher, my perspective has changed. Thanks to the size and grandeur of many Euro ski centers, you can use the lifts to gain lots of elevation and then leave the confines of the resort proper and really spread out.
Here is my list of reasons why I now include riding lifts before beginning my hike to my off-season summer training regime:
#1 High Elevation Flowers – During the summer in the Alps, a beautiful thing takes place. The hills come alive not only with the Von Trapp family, but with lots of color. Throughout the Alps and usually above tree line and below around 3,000 meters (lower the further you go east), there are plenty of lush, expansive bowls, open pastures, and rolling meadows that light up with color. Factor in the abundant precip that falls year round and you get gorgeous sections of “Fields of joy.”
Dr Aging Ski Bum in the Zen Pocket
#2 Less oxygen means a better workout – I’m no cardiologist (though I married a doctor), but it goes without saying that the higher you go to exercise, the more impactful it is on your cardiovascular system. Using the lift system to get to a higher elevation (10,000 feet or more) is a juke move, much like cutting the line and getting to the front of the stage. Plus, getting a “higher elevation buzz” is a lot cheaper and better for you than recreational drugs. And much like the aforementioned mood enhancers, it is best to drink plenty of water and stay properly hydrated.
Nice training ground, if I do say so myself
#3 The lost civilizations – Scattered throughout the Alps, there are these crazy huts that were constructed way back in the day. Known as an “Alpe,” they vary in size from a single stone home to sometimes a dozen or more structures. Some of them are occasionally inhabited during the warm summer months, and those that do usually have vegetables growing in their shared garden. Some of them even have electricity and/or solar panels, TV via satellite, and in some cases, internet through Starlink.
It continues to amaze me the level of commitment that the early settlers of the mountain range endured, not only to construct their homes, but then to live off the land and be so far removed. I almost always stop at an Alpe to take a break, breathe it all in, and pay homage to those that spent time here.
The Highest Alpe in the Valsesia @ 2515 meters
#4 The views – Once you get above tree line, and especially on a clear day, you can see for many kilometers. I try to time my lift-served strolls on days when the weather forecast is for mostly to fully sunny skies. As a lover of big, imposing mountains, I feel like a kid in a candy store when I can get up and personal with some of these behemoths. As a bonus, many of the big boys and girls form a natural border between countries, which is kind of cool to think about while gazing up at them.
Standing proud and straddling the Swiss/Italian border @ 4532 meters
#5 Its cooler up there – This one is a no-brainer, but the higher you go, the cooler it is. As a rule of thumb, it is about 4 degrees Fahrenheit less per thousand feet of elevation gain. So during the hottest summer days, you can still head up high and “Beat the heat.”
High elevation and coolish temperture in the middle of July for the win
#6 Scoping lines for winter – At my home ski area, as well as others that I intend to frequent during the ski season, I look extra closely at the skiable terrain without snow on it. Things like unique terrain features, boulders, crevasses, etc. are worthy to take mental notes of. Other times, I figure out the best ingress and egress to a particular zone. And sometimes I notice something that I didn’t know existed when it was covered in a white blanket.
Note to self for ski season: There is a nice off-ramp skier’s right
#7 High-elevation habitat – Occasionally if I get really lucky, I come across these crazy creatures that live in the most rugged and exposed parts of the range. I don’t know what they do to survive, and why they choose to call the most inhospitable places home, but I always feel express gratitude when I am in their presence.
Alpine ibex in their hood
#8 Earning your calories – Throughout the Alps, there are these amazing refugios and mountain Hütte. Many of them have overnight accommodations, and they all have a kitchen that serves freshly made meals. Often the food is really good and obviously hits the spot way more than a power bar or packed sandwich ever could. These high mountain places are always located in a beautiful spot with killer views. The concept of riding the lifts, hiking a bit, then grabbing a bite to eat is a good one and highly recommended during the dog days of summer.
Nice perch for a tasty lunch @ 3,647 meters
#9 More lifts than just at ski resorts – I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that there are plenty more uphill transportation opportunities than just at ski centers. Just last week, I stumbled across a random tram at the very end of a remote valley in Switzerland. The 100+ people mover climbs over 1,500 meters from the valley floor to a functioning hydroelectric project. From the top station, there is great access into a remote part of the Alps. I did a 5-hour loop and only saw three people all day, one of whom was looking for his goats.
Headed up some random chairlift on the side of the road
#10 There is more than one way down – At some of these summer destinations, they offer a plethora of summer activities including mountain coasters, fat moped rentals, zip lines, and my personal favorite, the old skool Fun Bob. So instead of hiking or riding the lift(s) down at the end of the day, sometimes you can finish off with a little adrenaline rush.
A fun descent down Europe’s steepest Fun Bob
PRO TIP: Throughout the Alps, every village has some sort of summer festival or celebration (our village hosts the Blueberry festival on August 15 of every year). Additionally, some high-elevation refuges find a reason to throw a party, because why not? And sometimes due to the aging population and the distance to the refugio, they offer helicopter rides for a very reasonable price.