When the snow melts across the Alps, Europe's most famous winter sports destinations do not simply close their lifts and wait for the next season. Instead, many transform into vibrant summer playgrounds, and golf has become one of the region's biggest warm-weather attractions.
The concept of the 'playcation' — a holiday centred around a favourite sport — is driving visitors to Alpine resorts that once catered almost exclusively to skiers. High-altitude golf courses, with their crisp mountain air and panoramic views of peaks like the Matterhorn and the Hohe Tauern, now draw a different kind of enthusiast.
Switzerland's Premier Golf Resorts
In the Valais canton, Crans-Montana has long been a benchmark for Alpine golf. The Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre hosts the Omega European Masters, a fixture on the men's DP World Tour. Its fairways wind through forests and open meadows, offering views of the Matterhorn and the Valais Alps. In winter, the resort maintains over 140 kilometres of pistes; in summer, visitors combine championship golf with hiking, mountain biking, and access to luxury wellness hotels.
Further east, Andermatt in the canton of Uri has reinvented itself as a year-round luxury destination. Its 18-hole championship course stretches across the broad Ursern Valley, with wide fairways framed by towering Alpine peaks. The course complements extensive skiing, while nearby hiking and cycling routes attract outdoor enthusiasts. The Chedi Andermatt, one of Switzerland's most acclaimed hotels, offers a refined end to the day.
Perched above Lake Lucerne, the Bürgenstock Resort offers a more intimate golf experience. Its nine-hole Alpine course features elevated tees and dramatic views over the lake below. Away from the greens, guests can explore the expansive Alpine Spa, ride the historic funicular railway, or walk trails through the surrounding mountains. The resort recently gained international attention as the venue for US-Iran nuclear talks, highlighting its status as a discreet Alpine retreat. Read more about the Bürgenstock's role in diplomacy.
Gstaad, famed for its luxury chalets and exclusive mountain lifestyle, 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.
Austria's Four-Season Appeal
In Tyrol, Kitzbühel is best known for the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill ski race, but it has also established itself as a leading golf destination. The resort boasts four golf courses, with dozens more within easy driving distance. Visitors can play beneath dramatic Alpine peaks before relaxing in the historic town centre, where luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, and traditional Tyrolean hospitality create a year-round appeal. In May 2026, the Golf Course Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith hosted the Austrian Alpine Open, the country's largest golf event.
Further south, 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 fairways framed by glaciers and forests. During late spring, visitors can ski on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in the morning and play golf in the afternoon. Add mountain hiking, water sports on Lake Zell, and luxury spas, and the resort offers an ideal active summer escape.
For those seeking a broader Alpine summer experience, these destinations prove that Europe's premier ski resorts are just as appealing long after the ski lifts stop turning. Whether you are a seasoned golfer or a curious traveller, the Alps offer a unique blend of sport, scenery, and luxury. Explore other Central European summer destinations beyond the beach.
