Are the Alps packed with tourists in summer?

[Tallace]

Hi
I posted a few days ago asking for recommendations for the Alps in summer. Some very helpful ideas thankyou.

I have a shortlist now of Morzine/Les Gets area or Ischgl in Austria. Both not too far from airports and have good summer cards. (Have discounted Switzerland as seem to be more expensive).

What i dont know is how busy these places are in the summer. Obviously there would be plenty of space on the walking trails but are the swimming pools and chairlifts/cable cars heaving with tourists? Are there big queues to even get on the chair lifts?
We were planning to go w/c 27th July

It is as busy as any other typical tourist destination. The alps are popular as a destination for Germans for example and you are right in school holiday time for most European countries.

I booked accommodation in the austrian alps for next August. The prices fell the later you went in august. Maybe some go back to school mid August on?

I've been last two weeks of August and the answer was 'not at all'. A few things were beginning to close down for the end of season, especially the last week but not in a way that messed up our plans. It felt much less busy and touristy than Lake Como at the same time of year.

It varies but generally not really busy unless it is highly touristy ie. The train to the Mer du Glace in
Chamonix. End of July is peak season and August 1st is National Day (bank holiday) in Switzerland with alpine brunches, fireworks and local celebrations.

The pool in Morzine was popular but not heaving; everything else is fairly quiet and ‘low season’ but in a good way. Loads to do, we loved it.

It varies but generally not really busy unless it is highly touristy ie. The train to the Mer du Glace in
Chamonix. End of July is peak season and August 1st is National Day (bank holiday) in Switzerland with alpine brunches, fireworks and local celebrations.

Oh and you can swim in the lakes too, in lifeguarded ‘zoned off’ bits.

I don't know about Morzine/Les Gets ( although know that Annecey is busy) but we visit my DH's family house in a small ski station every summer and it's bustling but by no means heaving. You'd never have to queue for the telecabine or worry about not getting a table in a restaurant. We go down to Evian to swim in the lake and it's fine, again busy but not heaving. If you want something quieter, how about looking at Chatel? or come down to us in Les Memises, it's beautiful here!

Chamonix is rammed in August but I like it that way - everything is open, bustling etc. Have been to Kitzbuhel early summer and it was pretty boring, lots of restaurants shut but I’m guessing that would be busy at the height of summer too. I’m surprised more Brits don’t go to the Alps in summer, weather is beautiful, the heat is more bearable than the Med, lots to do and see.

We went to Morzine second last week of August- not busy at all, but weather was somewhat on the turn

I live near the Bavarian Alps and have been all over this summer Germany/Austria/Switzerland. Popular places can be busy but nothing too bad!

Amazingly beautiful in the summer- highly recommend!

It depends.

Some places are immensely popular with Asian tour groups at the moment, and a place that was terribly quiet a couple of years a, can be having another peak now.

I know about some places, but not the ones mentioned in the opening post (sorry)

I really fancy the alps in summer but is it ridiculously expensive?

@confusednortherner

The flights are cheap from luton/gatwick to geneva and zurich. Innsbruck a bit more expensive but still cheaper than flying to the med

I don’t know about all the alpine resorts but I’d definitely avoid Switzerland if you’re on s budget! Even McDonald’s is about 3x the price of UK. I’d love to go back there but darent tbh, it’s bit fun when you can’t afford to do anything!