Top mountain getaways
Look, I’m a sucker for a good view, but I’ve learned the hard way that not all mountains are created equal. Some "getaways" are really just crowded parking lots with a slightly higher elevation. If you’re looking to actually escape this year (and since it’s 2026, the big names are busier than ever), you have to pick your peaks wisely.
I’ve spent enough time gasping for air at 10,000 feet to know which ranges are worth the quad-burn and which are just overhyped postcards. Here’s the real talk on where to head this year.
The Olympic Spotlight: The Dolomites, Italy
With the 2026 Winter Olympics putting a massive spotlight on Cortina d'Ampezzo and the surrounding valleys, the Dolomites are the "it" destination right now. I’ve been there when the jagged, pale-gray limestone peaks turn bright pink at sunset (the locals call it Enrosadira), and honestly? It’s one of the few places that actually lives up to the hype.
Reality check:
Overtourism is a real thing here. If you try to go to Lago di Braies at 10 AM, you’ll be fighting 500 other people for a photo of a wooden boat. The move? Use the mountain huts (rifugios). I stayed at a rifugio halfway up a mountain trail, and watching the stars come out after the day-trippers had all gone down in the cable cars was the highlight of my trip.
Pro tip:
Bring cash. A lot of the high-altitude farm stands and smaller huts still operate on honor systems or "cash-only" rules. I almost missed out on the best speck and cheese board of my life because I only had a credit card.
Plan your next journey with your travel kit
The "End of the World" Vibe: Patagonia, Chile
If you want to feel small—like, "cosmically insignificant" small—go to Torres del Paine. It’s a 1,000-mile journey south from Santiago, and it feels like the edge of the Earth.
What I didn't expect:
The wind. People tell you it’s windy, but they don't tell you the wind can literally knock you off your feet. I saw a woman’s backpack cover fly off and disappear into a glacial lake in three seconds flat.
The Hike: The "W Trek" is the classic, but it’s becoming a bit of a highway.
The Alternative: If you have 8-10 days, do the "O Circuit." It takes you behind the towers where the crowds disappear, and you’re just left with ancient forests and massive, creaking glaciers.
Plan your next journey with your travel kit
The 2026 Rising Star: Big Sky, Montana
Montana used to be the "quiet" alternative to Colorado, but Big Sky is currently blowing up. It’s rugged, it’s massive, and it feels like the quintessential American West.
Real talk:
It’s becoming incredibly expensive. It’s catering to the luxury crowd now—think $20 cocktails and five-star lodges. But the mountains don't care about your bank account. I spent a day hiking near Yellowstone (which is just a stone's throw away), and seeing a grizzly from a safe distance (very safe, please) is a reminder that you’re just a guest in their house.
Important caveat:
If you’re going in the summer, check the fire reports. Wildfire smoke has been a real mood-killer in the Rockies lately, turning those blue-sky vistas into a hazy grey mess. Always have a "Plan B" further east or west.
The Hidden Gem: The Indian Himalayas (Spiti Valley)
While everyone is clambering over each other in the Swiss Alps, the Indian Himalayas are having a moment for travelers who want something raw. I visited Spiti Valley last year, and it feels like Mars. It’s a high-altitude cold desert with Tibetan monasteries clinging to the cliffs.
What makes it aesthetic:
It’s not green; it’s brown, ochre, and deep purple. The contrast of a white-washed monastery against a barren, chocolate-colored mountain is incredible.
I learned this the hard way:
Altitude sickness is no joke. I tried to go from the plains to 12,000 feet in a single day and spent the first 48 hours feeling like someone was hitting my head with a rhythmic hammer. Take the "slow route" through Shimla and let your body catch up.
Final Thoughts: The "Mountain Mindset"
The biggest mistake I see people make is over-scheduling. Mountain weather doesn't care about your itinerary. I’ve had "perfect" summit days ruined by a random 2 PM thunderstorm. Build in a "buffer day" where your only plan is to sit on a porch with a coffee and look at the clouds.
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