Golfing in the mountains is a rare blend of sport and scenery — a challenge for your game and a feast for your senses. Across Europe, alpine and highland courses offer an experience unlike any other: crisp air, dramatic elevation changes, and vistas that stretch beyond imagination. From Switzerland’s iconic peaks to France’s Mont Blanc valley and Austria’s lush Tyrolean slopes, these mountain golf destinations redefine what it means to play among the clouds.
Why Mountain Golf Captivates
Mountain golf isn’t just about altitude. It’s about routing holes across ridgelines and valleys, using natural elevation changes to test precision, creativity, and adaptability. At higher altitudes, every shot behaves differently — the ball flies farther, the wind shifts unexpectedly, and the spin reacts to thinner air. Beyond the technical aspects, mountain golf offers an atmosphere of serenity and grandeur, with courses often surrounded by pine forests, glaciers, and crystal-clear lakes. Most of Europe’s premier mountain layouts are found in the Alps and Pyrenees, where the balance of challenge and beauty creates an unforgettable experience.
Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre (Crans-Montana, Switzerland)
Often regarded as the flagship alpine golf experience in Europe, this legendary venue hosts the Omega European Masters each year. The Severiano Ballesteros and Jack Nicklaus courses stretch high above the Rhône Valley, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. What makes Crans-sur-Sierre so exceptional is how it integrates natural elevation changes into strategic play, demanding precise club selection and a sharp short game. Playing here means tracing the same lines that professionals use in competition, surrounded by one of the most spectacular settings in the golf world. It’s the perfect starting point for a high-altitude golf journey through Switzerland.
Evian Resort Golf Club (Évian-les-Bains, France)
Situated at the foot of the French Alps and overlooking the shimmering waters of Lake Geneva, Evian Resort Golf Club blends alpine character with lakeside elegance. As the host of the Evian Championship, one of the five women’s majors, it has become a symbol of both prestige and scenic beauty. Its fairways weave gently through rolling terrain, making it suitable for golfers of all skill levels. The combination of century-old heritage, manicured parkland, and views across the lake to snow-dusted peaks gives Evian its timeless charm. It’s a course where nature and refinement coexist in perfect harmony.
Golf de Chamonix (Chamonix, France)
Nestled at the base of Mont Blanc, Golf de Chamonix is one of Europe’s most atmospheric courses. Originally opened in 1934 and expanded to 18 holes in the 1970s, it showcases the rugged drama of the French Alps while remaining surprisingly playable. The fairways meander through wooded glades and alpine meadows, while the surrounding peaks form a dramatic amphitheatre that dominates every vista. Unlike many mountain courses, Chamonix doesn’t rely on steep climbs — instead, it rewards finesse and tactical thinking, with bunkering and natural hazards that challenge even the most skilled players.
Golf du Mont d’Arbois (Megève, France)
Perched at 1,320 metres in the heart of the French Alps, Golf du Mont d’Arbois is a masterpiece of alpine golf and one of the oldest mountain courses in Europe. Designed by Sir Henry Cotton in 1964 and later refined by renowned architects, it perfectly blends sport with scenery. The course rolls across meadows and forested slopes above Megève, revealing panoramic views of the Aravis Range and Mont Joly. Its fairways are framed by alpine chalets and grazing pastures, creating an unmistakably Savoyard atmosphere. What makes Mont d’Arbois truly unique is how it balances technical challenge with accessibility — every hole offers a new perspective of the mountains, yet the walk remains pleasant and rhythmic. In winter, the fairways transform into ski slopes, making Megève one of the few places where golf and snow sports coexist in such harmony.
Golf Club Gstaad-Saanenland (Switzerland)
Located 1,400 metres above sea level, Golf Club Gstaad-Saanenland embodies the peaceful rhythm of Swiss alpine life. Surrounded by nature reserves and snow-capped peaks, the course is known for its subtle undulations rather than severe elevation changes. Its tranquil atmosphere, classic design, and lush mountain meadows make every round a meditative experience. After golf, the clubhouse terrace offers panoramic views and a relaxed setting for enjoying local cuisine and crisp mountain air. Gstaad is ideal for golfers seeking a gentler but equally scenic alpine round.
Tignes Golf Course (France)
Perched among the high-altitude slopes of the French Alps, Tignes Golf Course is one of Europe’s highest courses and certainly among its most thrilling. The crisp, cool air sharpens every sense, and each tee shot feels like a leap into open sky. The design makes clever use of natural topography, with fairways winding through steep terrain and greens perched against the backdrop of rugged peaks. Open only during the short alpine summer, this course offers a raw, elemental golf experience where nature takes centre stage and the views are as unforgettable as the game itself.
Seefeld-Wildmoos (Austria)
Tucked into the Austrian Tyrol, Seefeld-Wildmoos sits around 1,200 metres above sea level and offers a combination of pure mountain air and classic alpine beauty. It’s often described as one of Europe’s most exhilarating elevated courses, not because of extreme slopes, but for its panoramic mountain setting and immersive natural environment. Every hole opens to a new view of the surrounding peaks, while the course’s layout encourages thoughtful play rather than power hitting. It’s a place where golf becomes a form of mindfulness, wrapped in the serenity of Austria’s mountain landscape.
Alpine & Regional Highlights
Across the Alps, numerous smaller gems await exploration. In Austria, Adamstal Golf Club in Ramsau delivers dramatic valley golf amid forested slopes and tumbling hillsides. France’s Alpe d’Huez Golf Course, perched at 1,320 metres, is a remarkable 9-hole layout offering both altitude and alpine challenge. Near Lake Annecy, Golf d’Annecy lies within the Roc de Chère nature reserve, where fairways border cliffs, forests, and the glittering blue water below. Each of these destinations captures a different aspect of mountain golf — from rugged elevation to tranquil lakefront charm.
Planning Your Mountain Golf Adventure
Timing is key, as most alpine courses open from late spring to early autumn, depending on snow conditions. Players should be prepared to adjust their yardages, as thinner air can add distance and wind shifts rapidly at higher elevations. It’s wise to bring layers of clothing, as the weather can change in minutes, and to allow time to acclimatise before tackling the steep terrain. Many Swiss and French resorts offer multi-course itineraries, allowing golfers to experience several alpine venues in a single trip — often connected by scenic train routes like the Glacier Express.
Closing Thoughts
Playing golf in the mountains is an experience that transcends the sport itself. Each round becomes a dialogue between precision and nature, between focus and freedom. The best mountain golf courses in Europe — from Crans-sur-Sierre to Chamonix and Seefeld — are not only defined by their design but by their sense of place. They invite you to slow down, breathe deeply, and let the grandeur of the peaks remind you why golf, at its best, is as much about where you play as how you play.
