Top 5 mountain destinations in the Americas and around the world

For those looking for adventure, a top-notch mountain town cannot be beat. The destinations that rise highest on our list offer unparalleled opportunities for hiking, biking, rock climbing, skiing, water sports, and sampling local craft beers - all set against breathtaking alpine backdrops. These communities set the gold standard for outdoor recreation and mountain culture at elevations both high and low.

If you enjoy hiking, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking or other sports that take advantage of alpine elevations surely appreciate a top-tier mountain town. Among the finest in the U.S. spans from New Hampshire to California to Alaska, with excellent communities of all sizes in between. However, these destinations are equally great for simply soaking in the striking natural scenery at a relaxing pace. With world-renowned dining, craft beverages, and unparalleled ambiance, mountain hamlets offer the perfect escape from daily stresses.

Standing out as the top pick overall is Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Its casual Western charm and unmatched recreation across seasons—from summer river activities and hiking to what remains the premier tree-skiing in the Rockies—make it a quintessential alpine retreat. With dozens of incredible locations from coast to coast (and beyond) meriting consideration, selecting the single best was no simple task. Each offers benefits for living locally or visiting to play outside at altitude.

Featured here are some of our highly recommended mountain communities from throughout the United States and beyond. Whether you seek an excursion blending rugged adventure with relaxation, these top alpine hamlets - with their exceptional trails, craft breweries, alpine lakes, and picturesque vistas - offer the ideal environment and elevation. Each hits the right notes for outdoor enthusiasts interested in experiencing all a premier resort town has to offer through its trails, recreational amenities, local flavors, and stunning natural surroundings. Steamboat Springs, Colorado showcases the purest sense of the American West of any mountain community. 

While Park City, Utah is renowned for glitzy events like the Sundance Film Festival and upscale resorts helmed by celebrity chefs, locals cherish the immense trail network that envelops the town. An unprecedented 400 miles of interconnecting paths for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking bring the dramatic Wasatch Range right to your doorstep before depositing you back in quirky Main Street. 

The National Ability Center has established itself as a leader in adaptive recreation, ensuring all can experience the outdoors through programs at their new McGrath Mountain Center for adaptive skiing and snowboarding. Beyond the slopes, those with disabilities can try rock climbing and archery. Nearby, High West Distillery has garnered buzz for its libations, but Park Silly Sunday Market offers an equally delightful summertime affair with crafts, food, music, and indulgent bloody Marys. As warmer weather means avoiding lift lines at Park City's massive 9,300 skiable acres, reserve a stay at the centrally-located Washington School House hotel with its tranquil pool and farmer's market-fueled breakfast spread.

While Talkeetna, Alaska rises only a few hundred feet, the looming peaks of the Alaska Range - including towering Foraker and North America's highest, Denali - hover like ghostly sentinels over thick spruce trees. Come summer when Talkeetna bustles with international climbers aiming for some of the planet's most formidable summits. With long days of light, no one is in a hurry, and night resembles day. Live music streams from spots like Mountain High Pizza Pie and Village Park. Later on - whatever that means here - the mellow scene shifts to The Tavern at the Talkeetna Inn, a beloved dive. 

Starting in mid-May, catch the Denali Star Train between Anchorage and Fairbanks with a stop in Talkeetna, treating passengers to breathtaking backcountry views and locally sourced cuisine on a revamped menu.

When pondering Oregon's natural beauty, the magnificent mountain town of Bend likely comes to mind. Explore the great outdoors on renowned trails like Green Lakes, Sparks Lake, and Big Obsidian Flow, soaking up the sublime scenery that makes Bend legendary. Should hiking not be your thing or you require a post-trek beverage, embark on the renowned Bend Ale Trail. This carefully curated route allows sampling of some of the finest microbrews in the region. After indulging in the drinking and exercising, don't forget to stock up on candy and pick a flick from the sole surviving Blockbuster before calling it a day surrounded by Bend's unrivaled natural beauty, both indoors and out.