From the Alps to the Rockies, the Andes to the Sierra Nevada, the mountains offer a lifestyle of privacy, tranquility, breathtaking views—and the freedom to adventure. A myriad of recreational options awaits outdoor enthusiasts in all four seasons: backcountry hiking and snowshoeing, off-piste skiing, mountaineering and rock climbing, snowmobiling and off-road two-wheeling. For less strenuous adventure, there’s fly-fishing and boating on crystalline mountain lakes, and horseback riding through alpine meadows and pristine forests. Luxury mountain homes provide topflight accommodation, whether opulent lodges, classic log cabins, traditional chalets, or contemporary aeries built into the mountainside. Regal, yet rustic, these five mountain retreats provide all the creature comforts for those quiet moments to sit back, relax, and look out at the world.

Scenic Mountain Estate in Glarus, Switzerland 

This grand neoclassical manor house has an idyllic parklike setting in the heart of Glarner Mittelland in the Swiss Alps. The grandly scaled interiors extend to more than 6,760 square feet across three floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors offer picture-postcard views of the mountains. Parquet floors, high ceilings with crystal chandeliers, and a neutral color palette create an elegant canvas for bespoke furnishings and artwork. The living spaces include numerous reception rooms for entertaining, as well as casual spaces for family living. An elevator connects all four levels, including the 2,550-square-foot underground garage. The home is set within landscaped gardens surrounded by forests and Alpine meadows.

Related: Explore Luxurious Ski Chalets from Tyrol to Telluride

Red Tail Ridge in Evergreen, Colorado

Red Tail Ridge Ranch is a magnificent, 19-acre mountaintop estate in Evergreen, Colorado, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. This rustic, contemporary ranch has spectacular views of the Colorado timberline and adjoins the Arapaho National Forest, yet is just 30 minutes from Denver. Custom-built in 2015, the home was designed with reclaimed wood inside and out, hand-carved stone and other organic, environmentally sensitive features. The main residence offers 6,455 square feet of living space with four bedrooms and four bathrooms, including a lavish owner’s suite and a second-floor guest suite.  The centerpiece of the main house is a double-height great room opening to a patio with firepit and summer kitchen. The great room flows to an eat-in kitchen with butler’s pantry and work desk, an elegant dining area, and a sunken family sitting area with gorgeous views of Mount Evans. The property also includes an oversized three-car attached garage and a separate 2,250-square-foot workshop with a 1,000-square-foot loft, ideal for a gym or bunkhouse.

Surrounded by a century-old cypress and coihue forest, this lakefront haven is perfectly integrated into its spectacular natural environment in northern Patagonia. The beautiful 7,642- square-foot home offers three levels of living space. The exotic wood finishes include cypress floors throughout, a library with a lenga-wood door and cypress paneling, and a kitchen with polished stone counters and lenga-wood beams. The living room, adjacent dining room, and the master suite showcase the breathtaking views of Lake Gutiérrez. The main floor leads out to a wood deck with a pool and the lush lakeside gardens dotted with fruit and nut trees. Residents will enjoy access to the amenities at nearby Arelauquen Golf & Country Club, which include a championship golf course and polo club.

Related: Discover 9 Waterside Escapes

Mountain Contemporary in Aspen, Colorado

This contemporary mountain home is in the ski mecca of Aspen, Colorado. Built in 2020 by its architect-owner, the home boasts 6,312 square feet of ADA/ANSI-certified living spaces. The airy, open-plan interiors are enhanced with light wood floors and natural stone finishes. Abundant windows throughout, multiple decks, and a 360-degree rooftop observation area offer awe-inspiring views from Aspen Mountain to Independence Pass. A custom-built elevator provides easy access from the reception areas to the private quarters, which comprise five bedrooms and four full and two half bathrooms. The beautiful landscaping that surrounds the home includes a spring-fed stream cascades through small ponds throughout the grounds and flows out to the adjacent national forest land.

Alpine Chalet in Altaussee, Austria

This traditional Alpine chalet is tucked away in the Austrian spa town of Altaussee, an idyllic setting surrounded by forests, meadows, and snowcapped mountains. The main residence’s Ausseer style—sharp-angled roof lines that shed snow, plenty of big windows, and vaulted ceilings over an open plan living space—is compact and cozy without feeling cramped. Set on a plot of about 15,000 square feet, the home’s traditional exterior conceals an airy, contemporary interior design that emphasizes the mountain views, with sleek, natural wood flooring, finishes and accents, with a contemporary kitchen built on traditional lines. Adjoining the “natural” swimming pool, the separate guest house offers complete privacy and its 200-year-old historic charm. A full garage and workshop complete the amenities.