Seasonal Highlights

The Alps have more than two seasons

Alpine travel is usually reduced to ski season and summer, which misses most of the year and most of the value. Late June, when the snow has gone from the paths but the crowds have not arrived. September, arguably the best month in the entire arc. Late November, when almost everything is shut and the few places open are half price. Early March, with a full mountain and spring light.

This section works through the year and says what each period is actually good for, what is open, what it costs, and which weeks to avoid unless you have no choice. It also covers the fixed points — festivals, traditions, school holidays across several countries — that move prices whether or not you care about them.

Applied destination by destination: Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany.