As families choose summer vacation destinations, difficult decisions invariably arrive. Debates can spiral as family members present their cases for seemingly opposite itinerary’s. However, contentious as these conversations may be, one fact remains true: a mountain vacation is always better than a beachside one.  

One of the most obvious advantages the mountains have over the beach is climate. The most beautiful beaches are usually in or near the tropical latitudes, meaning during the summer, they’re oppressively hot. Although the seabreeze can sometimes mitigate this heat, it still doesn’t compare to the crisp high altitude mountain air. Furthermore, with their plentiful forests providing shade, mountain vactions also present a much smaller risk of sunburn than those at the beach.  

The natural beauty of mountains is also beyond compare. Rolling foothills lead to peaks nestled among the clouds. Some vantage points allow one to see miles in any direction, and at nightfall the sun dips beneath the Earth, painting the trees a golden pink hue. The flora and fauna of the mountains are their own draw. In some seasons, wildflowers blanket hills or line trails and songbirds chirp among the canopy.  

Beautiful as they may be, mountains aren’t just a place for relaxation. A vacation in the mountains provides countless options for activities including hiking, wildlife watching, ziplining, or rock climbing. More water-oriented people can even go whitewater rafting down an alpine stream or paddleboarding on a lake. With so many different choices available, a mountain vacation will never be a boring one.  

Although beaches can be beautiful and relaxing, they can’t compete with mountains for a vacation destination. Whether they’re the tree covered hills of the Appalachians in the East or the jagged peaks of the Rockies in the West, mountains provide the perfect backdrop for family fun and connecting with nature.