Lakes & Water
Water Among the Peaks
Lakes that behave differently in the mountains
Water changes character in the mountains. A lake ringed by peaks warms faster than its size suggests, cools by evening, and empties a valley's worth of tension in an afternoon. That water takes different forms here: small lakes threaded by one walking trail, a bathing lake known for the warmth of its water, a larger lake rigged for sailing and wakeboarding on a still morning. Alongside them, wellness traditions built on the same resource, hot water, clean air and time, turn an afternoon into recovery.
Lakes, Springsand Still Mornings
Water as counterpoint to the peaks around it
Nine resorts, one register of stillness: a lake for sailing, a lake for swimming, water drawn into a spa routine. Altitude changes what water means, and each resort reads it differently.
Nine Resorts, By the Water
Swimming, sailing and wellness across the range
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Lakes & Water, Answered
Swimming in the Alps comes with spectacular scenery. Crans-Montana offers several mountain lakes, Kitzbühel is home to the popular Schwarzsee swimming lake, while Lech Zürs am Arlberg provides beautiful natural waters and refreshing spots surrounded by the Arlberg landscape.
Mountain water is also a playground for adventure. Davos Klosters stands out with sailing, stand-up paddling, windsurfing and wakeboarding on Lake Davos, while Courmayeur and Cortina d’Ampezzo offer opportunities to experience Alpine rivers and mountain waters through activities such as rafting and canyoning.
Relaxation is an important part of the Alpine lifestyle. St. Anton am Arlberg, Megève and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc offer aquatic centres, hotel spas, pools and wellness experiences where warm water, saunas and treatments provide the perfect contrast to an active day in the mountains.
Very much so. Across all nine Best of the Alps destinations, families can enjoy a mix of swimming pools, lakes, aquatic centres and waterside activities. From an afternoon by a mountain lake to water slides, paddling or simply relaxing by the pool, water offers an accessible and playful way to enjoy the Alps together.
Photo credits
Lech Mountain Mirror - Lech Zürs Tourismus / Schwarzsee in fall - Kitzbühel Tourismus / Spas by Wonders - Chamonix-Mont-Blanc / Alpines Wandern, Lech Zürs am Arlberg - Lech Zürs Tourismus / Family in swimming pool, Davos Klosters - Martin Bissig / Christian Egelmair / Summer at the Scharzsee - Kitzbühel Tourismus / Tourism Office of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Morgane Raylat / Maiensee lowres, St. Anton am Arlberg - Eva Beer / Plage Moubra, Crans-Montana - Marco Schnyder / Crans-Montana Beach Club and Wakeboard - Louis Dasselborne