Mountain towns, ranked

“The mountaineering capital of the world. It knows it.”

“Car-free, Matterhorn-front, wallet-flattening.”

“Live in the shadow of the Eiger and try not to look up mid-coffee.”

“The adventure capital of the world, and it never lets you forget.”

“Rockies grandeur, inside a national park.”

“Two mountains, a gondola between them, and more terrain than legs allow.”

“The Dolomites' glamorous heart, dressed to impress.”

“A proper city with ski lifts out of the tram.”

“Ski hard, party harder — the Arlberg does not do things by halves.”

“All the Southern Alps, half the crowds, and a very famous tree.”

“Ben Nevis out the window, rain in the forecast.”

“The Lake District's perfect hiking basecamp.”

“Scotland's ski town, when the snow shows up.”

“Eryri's stone-built gateway, waterfalls included.”

“Grassy giants, big skies, and Pen y Fan on your doorstep.”

“A tiny valley with a railway station and the Pennine Way out the door.”