The mountain ranges of Europe are a big impact on its climate and ecosystem. Their melting snow is the source of Europe’s most important rivers and waterways. The mountains are also a destination for summer and winter activities.
In winter many of these areas are meccas for winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and more. There are many resorts that provide some of the worlds best skiing. Resorts with plenty of runs and lifts to accommodate the skills of beginners or pros.
In summer these areas may attract just as many if not more visitors because of their natural beauty. Hiking trails provide miles of paths that offer incredible scenery and alpine wildlife. Many mountain villages offer accommodation for the traveler who just wants to get away from the busy cities.

EUROPE’S FAVORITE MOUNTAIN DESTINATIONS

 ANDORRA

Cities / Villages: Grandvalira

 AUSTRIA

Cities / Villages: 
Bad Gastein, Ellmau, Engelberg, Hallstatt, Innsbruck, Ischgl, Kitzbühel, Lech am Arlberg, Saalbach and Hinterglemm, Saas-Fee, Saint Anton am Alberg, Saint Wolfgang, Salzburg, Seefled, Zell am See

Sights: 
Altausee, Attersee, Eisriesenwelt Cave, Großglockner Alpine Road, Hohenwerfen Castle, Mondsee , Schafberg, Wolfgangsee, Zeller See

 BULGARIA

Cities / Villages: 
Bansko

 CZECHIA

Cities / Villages: 
Grandvalira

 FRANCE

Cities / Villages: 
Albertville, Alpe D’huez, Annecy, Chamonix, Châtel, Courchevel, Grenoble ,La Plagne, La Chinaillon, Les Deux Alpes ,Les Houches, Mègve ,Méribel, Morzine, Notre dame de Bellecombe, Rougen, Saint Gervais les Bains, Saint Jean d’Arves, Samoens, Tignes, Val-d’sère, Val Thorens

Sights: 
Mount Blanc, Lake Geneva

 GERMANY

Cities / Villages:
Brechtesgaden, 
Füssen, Garmisch-Partenkirchen
, Mittenwald

Sights: 
Koingsee, Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau Castles, Zugspitze

 ITALY

Cities / Villages: 
Bardonecchia, Bormio, Breuil Cervina, Canazei, Cavalese, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Courmayeur, Leeco, Livigno, Madonna di Campiglio, Merano, Moena, San Martino di Castrozza, Tarvisio, Val de Funes, Val Gardena

Sights: 
Lake Misurina, Tri Cime National Park

 MONTENEGRO

Cities / Villages:

 NORWAY

Cities / Villages: 
Beitostølen, Flåm, Geiranger, Lillehammer, Narvik, Olden, Reine, Undredal

Sights: 
Flåm Railway, Geirangerfjord, Hardangerfjord, Jostedalsbreen Glacier National Park, Jotunheimen National Park, Lake Gjende, Lysefjorden & Pulpit Rock, Sognefjord, Trolltunga, Vøringfossen Falls

 POLAND

Cities / Villages: 
Zakopane

Sights: 
Szczeliniec Wielki

 PORTUGAL

Cities / Villages: 
Sintra

 ROMANIA

Cities / Villages: 
Brab, Cheia, Pestera, Predeal, Sinaia, Viscri

Sights: 
Bran Castle, Făgăraș Mountains, Poenari Castle, Transfagarasan Road

 SLOVAKIA

Cities / Villages: 
Jasná Nízke Tatry

 SLOVENIA

Cities / Villages: 
Bled

Sights: Kranjska Gora, Lake Bled, Lake Jasna, Soca River, Triglav National Park

 SPAIN

Cities / Villages: 
Arties, Baqueira-Beret, Covagonga, Granada, Ronda, Torla

 SWEDEN

Cities / Villages:
 Åre

 SWITZERLAND

Cities / Villages: 
Andermatt, Basse-Nendaz, Davos, Grindewald, Gruyére, Gstaadt, Guarda, Interlaken, Lucerne, Murren, St. Moritz, Wengen, Zermatt, Zürich

Sights: 
Bernina Express, Furkas Pass, Great St. Bernard Pass, 
Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen Valley, Matterhorn, Mount Pilatus, Schlithorn

The Alps are comprised of many different ranges and groups of mountains. Historically these have been classified differently by countries and organizations. The Partizione delle Alpi of 1926 is used in this table. A SOIUSA plan has been proposed but, not made official.

OTHER EUROPEAN MOUNTAIN RANGES…

The most accessible glaciers to visit are in the Alps. There you can not only view them but, see them up close and in some instances even walk on their surface in safe regulated areas.