10 Best Hotels for Mountain and Winter Activities

Enjoy a unique mountain and winter retreat at Whitepod, an eco-luxury resort in the stunning Alpine landscapes of Switzerland’s Valais region. Whitepod offers cosy mountain cabins and unique geodesic dome ‘pods’, spread across pine-forested slopes. These cocoon-like pods come in different sizes, from romantic setups just for 2 to full-suite options with luxurious features.

This is a top pick if you’re after ‘eco-friendly’ accommodation for your next outdoor retreat. An integral part of the Whitepod experience is limited transportation within the camp, so be ready for a truly scenic walk as a prelude to your stay. Winter activities in this area of the Alps include skiing, paragliding, and dog sledding.

Winter getaways don’t come more iconic than this Nordic retreat. Get those authentic festive vibes with a stay in Santa Claus's official hometown at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi. This property features a fine blend of luxury and nature, with cosy, nest-like treehouse suites – most with private saunas – that provide a front-row seat to the breathtaking Northern Lights and midnight sun.

Complimentary gear, such as kicksleds, snowshoes, ski boots, fat bikes, and toboggans, are all at your disposal during your stay. What’s more, you can follow the trail to the exclusive Santa Claus Secret Forest around Christmas time. Before meeting Santa, engage in whimsical workshops such as gingerbread making and learn about the local Lappish history and traditions from the team of helpful elves.

Riffelhaus 1853 is one of the most picturesque mountain and winter retreats in Zermatt. Perched high on the side of a mountain and offering unparalleled views of the Matterhorn, the hotel also boasts a historical prestige. This was Zermatt’s first mountain hotel and has hosted renowned mountaineers and royalty since the mid-19th century.

All of Riffelhaus 1853's Alpine Rooms and Matterhorn Suites offer views of the surrounding snow-capped mountainscape and the magnificent Swiss Alpine peak. The beautiful backdrop also complements your meals at the elegant restaurant and downtimes at the sauna, steam bath, or open-air Jacuzzi. For skiing adventures, Zermatt’s ski resorts are accessible from Gornergrat railway station, where you can also purchase ski passes. The hotel has a ski room, and you can rent skis and bikes from various providers in the village.

Hotel Chalet Mirabell is a charming mountain retreat in the village of Avelengo di Sopra. It’s a great pick for a ski-in/ski-out stay in Italy’s South Tyrol region. The hotel offers an elegant selection of rooms and suites together with an expansive spa facility, featuring the longest natural spring-fed swimming pond in South Tyrol, which turns into a plunge pool in the colder months.

Guest rooms offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains, as do the resort grounds. Besides easy access to the slopes of the Merano 2000 ski area via the hotel’s free shuttle, you can explore 25 km of marked snowshoe hiking trails right in front of the hotel.

Wintertime in Cappadocia occasionally blesses the region with a beautiful veil of white snow, adding a magical touch to its already stunning landscapes. The views from The Museum Hotel are truly awe-inspiring. From various points, such as the hotel's heated rooftop pool, you have breathtaking panoramas complete with hot air balloons dotting the skyline, even during the chilliest of seasons.

The Museum Hotel’s warm and cosy cave-like rooms reflect the hotel's unique concept, seamlessly blending luxury accommodation with the rich historical and cultural heritage of the region. All rooms and suites serve as living exhibits, adorned with antique décor, furnishings, and artwork. To further justify its name, the Göreme Open-Air Museum is conveniently located just a short stroll away.

Book your next winter getaway at Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel for a cool feature that’s rare to find anywhere in the world. This is Norway's first hotel constructed entirely from ice and snow. It’s a magical place, offering a unique experience with its breathtaking architectural wonders of ice-sculpted accommodations, facilities, and sculptures in intricate designs, all set along the serene banks of the Alta River.

Each of its igloo rooms and suites is uniquely crafted. One thing in common is that you'll sleep on insulated mattresses and soft reindeer furs, layered over beds made from solid blocks of ice. Couples can explore the ice chapel, a fairy-tale place where only a fortunate few have exchanged vows. And don't forget the ice bar, where you can enjoy your favourite drinks from ice glasses, adding even more Instagrammable coolness to your stay.

Park Piolets MountainHotel & Spa offers 5-star luxury in the heart of the Pyrenees’ expansive Grandvalira ski area. With its prime location, you'll enjoy direct access to the slopes to make the most of your time on the snow.

Whichever room you book at Park Piolets MountainHotel & Spa, captivating mountain vistas are guaranteed. Each room also comes complete with a balcony or terrace, from where you can preview or review your time on Grandvalira’s ski slopes. Beyond retreating to your cosy room after a day out skiing, unwind at Park Spa Mountain Wellness Club with a soothing Tibetan massage or enjoy après-ski by outdoor fireplaces at the Moët & Chandon Terrace.

If you're a motorsports enthusiast and are looking for one of Japan’s best hotels with a view of Mount Fuji, you'll love the Fuji Speedway Hotel in Shizuoka. At its heart, this hotel combines luxurious amenities with the thrills of high-speed motor racing. And that’s thanks to its proximity to the famous circuit at the base of the country’s most iconic mountain, right on its doorstep.

Whichever guest room or suite you book, you have the choice of 2 captivating views: mountain or speedway. While Mount Fuji’s hiking trails are often out of the question in winter, there are several ski resorts only a short drive away. When “drive” comes to mind, you’d often want to experience the circuit. If there are no FIA World Endurance Championship or Super GT races scheduled, you can rent a high-performance car and book 3 high-octane laps on the track.

If you’re thinking of Chamonix Mont Blanc for your next winter retreat up in the French Alps, book the Alpina Eclectic Hotel for the spectacular setting and views. The hotel features contemporary architecture and stands out in the heart of charming Chamonix, serving as a central base for mountaineers, skiers, and snowboarders alike.

After a day out carving the slopes, pamper yourself with a relaxing steam room session, sports massage, facial, or full-length body treatment at the onsite spa. Or head up to the 7th-floor restaurant, Le Vista, to indulge in après-ski or panoramic dining with, as its name suggests, clear 180-degree views of the Mont Blanc range.

Breathtaking rugged mountain landscapes are some of the winning features of Chihuahua, and a stay at Hotel El Mirador immerses you in this scenic beauty. True to its name, which means ‘viewpoint,’ panoramic views of the Sierra Madre Occidental range and Copper Canyon unfold from all of its guest rooms’ balconies and facilities. Rooms on the topmost floors offer the best outlooks.

Winter is mild in Chihuahua, and during these colder months (from December through February), the mountains turn prettier as a thin layer of snow dusts the range. Enjoy a wide range of adventures, from zip-lining in Copper Canyon to hot-air balloon rides over the region, which are even more thrilling against the backdrop of snowy mountains. It's a great option for a winter retreat if you're not into skiing – Chihuahua typically sees fewer crowds compared to other, more popular winter destinations.