European playcations: Alpine ski resorts where you can also play golf

While Europe’s Alpine resorts are world-renowned for their thrilling winter sports, many slow down and transform into havens for more relaxing outdoor activities once the snow melts.

Building on the growing “playcation” sports travel trend, many visitors are drawn through the warmer months for hiking, mountain biking and trail running.

It’s not just the trails that are attracting visitors, however, but also the mountain greens and fairways with golf becoming one of the Alps’ biggest summer attractions.

Set against dramatic mountain backdrops, the high-altitude golf courses combine championship layouts with crisp air, luxury hotels and panoramic scenery.

These destinations in the Swiss and Austrian Alps prove that Europe’s premier ski resorts are just as appealing long after the ski lifts stop turning.

Crans-Montana, Switzerland

One of Europe’s most prestigious alpine golf destinations, Crans-Montana is home to the renowned Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre, host of the Omega European Masters on the men’s golf DP World Tour.

Fairways weave through forests and open meadows with spectacular views of the Matterhorn and Valais Alps beyond.

In winter, the resort attracts skiers to more than 140 kilometres of pistes, while summer visitors can combine championship golf with hiking, mountain biking, lakes and luxury wellness hotels.

Kitzbühel, Austria

Best known for the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill ski race, Kitzbühel in Tyrol has also established itself as one of Austria’s leading golf destinations. The resort boasts four golf courses, while dozens more lie within easy driving distance.

Visitors can spend the day playing beneath dramatic Alpine peaks before relaxing in the town’s historic centre, where luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants and traditional Tyrolean hospitality make Kitzbühel a true year-round destination.

In May 2026, the Golf Course Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith hosted the Austrian Alpine Open presented by Kitzbühel – Tirol, Austria’s largest golf event.

Zell am See-Kaprun, Austria

Zell am See-Kaprun combines glacier skiing with lakeside golf, making it one of Austria’s best-known four-season resorts.

The 36-hole Golfclub Zell am See sits beneath the snow-capped Hohe Tauern mountains, with immaculate fairways framed by glaciers and forests. During late spring, visitors can even ski on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier before heading down to play golf later the same day.

Add mountain hiking, water sports on Lake Zell and luxury spas, and the resort offers an ideal active summer escape.

Andermatt, Switzerland

Nestled high in the Swiss Alps, Andermatt has reinvented itself as a luxury four-season destination. Its 18-hole championship golf course stretches across the broad Ursern Valley, offering wide fairways surrounded by towering alpine peaks.

The course complements the resort’s extensive skiing, while nearby hiking, cycling and mountain passes attract outdoor enthusiasts throughout the warmer months.

Visitors can round off the day at The Chedi Andermatt, one of Switzerland’s most acclaimed luxury hotels and spas.

Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

Perched high above Lake Lucerne, Bürgenstock Resort offers a different take on alpine golf. Guests can enjoy the resort’s picturesque nine-hole Alpine course, where elevated tees and mountain scenery create a memorable round overlooking the lake below.

Away from the course, visitors can relax in the expansive Alpine Spa, ride the historic funicular railway or explore walking trails through the surrounding mountains, making the resort an ideal base for an luxury active break.

Gstaad, Switzerland

Famed for its luxury chalets and exclusive mountain lifestyle, Gstaad has become one of Switzerland’s premier summer golf destinations.

The 18-hole Golfclub Gstaad-Saanenland offers immaculate fairways surrounded by Alpine peaks, while the region’s hiking, cycling and wellness experiences make it an ideal warm-weather escape.

At Ultima Hotel Gstaad, the concierge can arrange tee times, transport and equipment hire, allowing guests to build a personalised Alpine getaway around their golf holiday.