Whether it’s climbing, walking, biking, skiing or paddling, mountains are nature’s adventure playground, and we love them. So what are the best towns for delivering mountain fun? We’ve picked our favourite ten…
The world’s Top 10 best mountain towns
Written by Mike Walker
March 23, 2015
Keswick, Lake District
Keswick is surrounded by some of the finest hillwalking and climbing terrain in England, including the country’s fourth highest mountain, Skiddaw, which looms large over the town. It also sits on the northern shores of the lovely Derwentwater, where you can sail, kayak, swim or SUP, and is within easy reach of the excellent Whinlatter mountain bike trail centre and England’s first via ferrata at Honister Pass. Try cycling up the pass - if you can; even famous Columbian cyclist Nairo Quintana struggled on this epic 25 per cent climb when the Tour of Britain visited in 2013.
Fort William, Scotland
Fort William sits at the southern end of the Great Glen on the shores of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil, so kayakers and sailors will be happy for a start. But it’s the huge mass of Ben Nevis here that’s the star attraction for walkers and climbers – and if that’s not enough for you the wild mountains of Glencoe are just to the south.
Fort William is also famous for its mountain biking, with the World Cup Downhill trail having a fearsome reputation, and in winter some of the best skiing and winter climbing in the UK is to be found here.
Nelson, British Columbia
Most people would probably expect Whistler to get the vote as Canada’s top mountain town, but Nelson is much cooler and far more eclectic. The town’s satellite ski resort of Whitewater has some of the best powder in BC, and there are around 20 local cat- and heliski operations if money is no object.
In summer the local mountains and forests have top notch mountain biking and hiking trails (and plenty of wildlife including grizzlies and elk) and you can cool off with a dip or a paddle in Kootenay Lake; afterwards head into town and sample the great mix of bars, coffee shops, restaurants and live music, arts and theatre.
Bozeman, Montana
The university town of Bozeman isn’t that well-known outside the USA, but it’s a funky little spot with superb outdoor activities right on the doorstep. In winter the small local ski hill Bridger Bowl offers superb and often very challenging powder skiing, while an hour or so south is Big Sky, the largest ski resort in the USA – a further 45 minutes south and you’re in Yellowstone National Park.
In summer there is plenty of great hiking and biking (both road and mountain) and even the fly fishing on the nearby Gallatin River is world class – it was the location for the film ‘A River Runs Through It’. You can also go rafting and kayaking here and on the Yellowstone and Madison rivers – but be sure to spare time to check out the excellent Museum of the Rockies and the town’s fine selection of bars and microbreweries.
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
Arguably one of the world’s most beautiful mountain towns, certainly the views of the stunning peaks that surround Cortina are reason enough to visit; but don’t just sit in the piazza drinking coffee and staring upwards, get out and explore!
Some of the best-established via ferrata in the Dolomites can be found locally, along with epic rock climbing, superb mountain biking and some tremendous road cycling (this region features most years in the Giro d’Italia. The hiking is equally good, and when it’s all over you can watch the amazing sunsets on the Dolomites’ towering monolithic limestone peaks from the town square.
CHAMONIX, FRANCE
Perhaps the most famous mountain town in the world, you could spend a lifetime in Chamonix and never get bored. Mont Blanc beckons year-round if you want to take on the challenge of Western Europe’s highest mountain, and this and the massive selection of other peaks around the town offer world class skiing, boarding, mountaineering, rock climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, hiking – just about every mountain sport you can think of can be practiced to whatever standard you like.
The town itself is always buzzing with a mix of residents and visitors from all over the world, and there’s also plenty of history – this is, after all, the world’s original mountain town.
Saint Lary Soulan, French Pyrenees
St. Lary has one of the biggest ski areas in the Pyrenees, with a great array of pisted and freeride terrain, and in summer much of this is given over to one of the best mountain bike parks in France, with a mix of superbly designed trails varying from technical high level routes to less challenging trails on which you can blast all the way down into the attractive town (and enjoy relaxing at the Sensoria Spa).
The region also has some lovely hiking in mountains that tend to be far quieter than the Alps, and road cyclists can get stuck into some iconic Tour de France climbs in the region.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Located in between the dazzling blue waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken also sits at the foot of some of the most iconic mountains in the world – the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau massif dominate the horizon. As such it makes for a great base to explore these spectacular peaks, either on foot, mountain bike or paraglider.
Or you could do it the easy way on one of the area’s remarkable cog railways, which can take you literally half way up the north face of the Eiger. The local rivers and lakes offer rafting and wakeboarding, and in winter the skiing in nearby resorts such as Grindelwald, Mürren and Wengen takes you into some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Alps.
Wanaka, New Zealand
Located in New Zealand’s Southern Alps on the shores of the eponymous lake, Wanaka is the snowiest place in the country, with three ski areas – Cardrona Alpine Resort, Snow Farm and Treble Cone, which has the best array of terrain.
Visit in the summer, however, and you’re even more spoilt for choice with unforgettable hiking terrain, great mountain biking, plenty of water-based action on the lake and local rivers and paragliding and skydiving all readily available. The small town itself and its alluring collection of bars, restaurants, pubs and hostels is a great place to just hang out, surrounded as it is by spectacular mountain scenery.
Sandpoint, Idaho
Close to the Canadian border, Sandpoint gets plenty of smoke dry powder every winter so its satellite resort of Schweitzer Mountain offers great skiing (trees in particular) and it never gets crowded. Once the snow has gone this remote corner of Idaho is a great place to enjoy some wilderness hiking and biking, or you could just hang out on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille where the water is warm enough in summer to comfortably swim, sail, windsurf and kayak.
Sandpoint itself has a classic American small town feel as well as being pretty Bohemian, with a surprisingly cosmopolitan selection of bars, restaurants, theatres and live music venues.
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