When the temperature plummets in the Northern Hemisphere winter, don't pack your swimsuit and wait for summer to arrive. Instead, relax in the ** water of the heated outdoor pool. Trust us, enjoying a warm soak while surrounded by snow-capped mountains has its own unique charm. Whether it's soothing sore muscles after a long day on the slopes or simply trying to find your coolness while enjoying the much-needed warmth, head to one of these majestic hotels around the world that prove that outdoor pools aren't just for summer.
At over 7,000 feet above sea level, this is the highest outdoor pool in Europe. (Temperatures reach up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, which can also be one of the hottest.) The ice-blue swimming pool is the highlight of the Spa 2222m at the highest spa in Europe, the Riffelalp Resort. The open-air swimming pool offers a direct view of the majestic Matterhorn and feels close enough to snowball. The mountain resort's wellness centre also includes an indoor pool heated to 86 degrees, as well as a grotto with a steam cave, a Finnish sauna and salt water baths and waterfalls. Getting to the Swiss resort isn't easy, requiring an Alpine railway ride and snowmobile, but it's worth it to enjoy the panoramic views of the Pennine Alps from this heated outdoor pool.
Little Nell Ski Resort, located in Aspen, Colorado, is the only five-star hotel that offers ski-in/ski-out of Aspen Mountain. This luxury hotel has an impressive outdoor pool, but it's located in Little Nell's home – an Airbnb-like apartment that visitors can own or rent – where visitors will find a truly unbeatable rooftop pool and hot tub. Guests can enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains and soak in the heated outdoor pool while watching the snowflakes fall overhead. Weather permitting, poolside** food and drinks are available from June to October. In spring and summer, the rooftop "water garden" landscape provides food for bees and butterflies. Rottet Studio has renovated the residence for the 2023 24 ski season with new carpets, furniture, and artwork.
This eco-friendly boutique hotel in Iceland is located near Hengil Volcano, about a 30-minute drive from Reykj**ík, along the popular "Circle" route. The Ion Adventure Hotel's stark aesthetic draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape and emphasises sustainable architecture, as evidenced by the use of locally salvaged driftwood throughout the property. Its nature-inspired, minimalist design continues into the lava spa, featuring an open-air soaking pool heated by geothermal energy from a nearby volcano. The hotel is also close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Thin**Ellir National Park, with easy access to numerous hiking trails leading to natural hot springs. You can even dive and snorkel in the crystal clear waters there. Keep your eyes peeled as you soak up the natural warmth from the earth, and watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky.
Located near the Argentine border, Portillo Ski Resort is a dream mountain resort in the heart of the Chilean Andes. The secluded mountainous terrain attracts avid skiers and snowboarders from all over the world every year. (Portillo is known for its sunny weather during the ski season, which lasts from June to September due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere.) You don't necessarily need to venture up the slopes to enjoy the area, though. Portillo has a wonderful outdoor heated pool deck. You will soak up the warmth while overlooking the crystal clear waters of Laguna del Inca, an alpine lake linked to important Inca legends and love stories. Solo skiers, families and groups, as well as beginners and professional skiers are welcome.
Located in the fairytale village of Chamonix, this chalet hotel features a heated outdoor pool, jacuzzi and stunning views of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe. After some of the best (and most challenging) skiing in the Alps, winter sports enthusiasts will love ending each day in the soothing hot tub at The Spa by Clarins. Alternatively, you can skip the skiing and enjoy a three-course meal and treatment between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The family-run (and family-friendly) Hotel Ullensvang is located on the shores of Norway's spectacular fjords, with views of the Folgefonna glacier and jaw-dropping scenery every season. However, there is something special about Scandinavia during the winter months, especially as you float in the hotel's 288-foot-long wraparound stream, which connects the indoor pool to the outdoor infinity pool and is heated to a warm temperature of 80 degrees. You don't have to stay overnight to enjoy the pool;A two-hour visit can be booked at any time of the day or night.
Technically, a Japanese onsen is not a swimming pool, but a very traditional public hot spring bath. (However, unlike most public pools, hot spring etiquette requires a quiet soak and no bathing suits!)Located about 100 miles northwest of Kyoto and set in the scenic forests surrounding Mount Kuga, Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei is a tranquil hot spring ryokan (traditional ryokan) with indoor and outdoor hot springs. If you're feeling shy, there are also some private soaking areas. (If you want to swim in pools around the country, we also have seven of Japan's top hot springs to recommend.)
The exclusive Amangani resort has an exquisite Wild West vibe inspired by the majesty of nearby Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The outdoor pool and whirlpool, part of the hotel's Jackson Hole Spa, are made of quartzite and steaming hot, making it the perfect place to unwind after a day of skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding or snowmobiling. The 115-foot infinity pool is also a magnificent spot with stunning views of the Teton and Snake River Mountains.
When you think of southern Spain, the first thing that comes to mind is not snow, but in the high mountains of Andalusia you can find this ski-in/ski-out alpine resort covered in winter white. After a refreshing dip in El Lodge's outdoor pool and hot tub, you can swim in the resort's outdoor bar, Sun Deck, where you can dry off in front of a separate fire pit, complete with faux fur blankets and hot cocktails.
Nestled in the evergreen forests of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Fairmont Banff Springs was built in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Today, this large luxury hotel remains a magnificent mountain resort in a tourist-filled national park. Nicknamed the "Castle of the Rocky Mountains," this historic resort features an indoor saltwater pool, a spa with waterfalls and mineral pools, and an outdoor pool where guests can enjoy year-round sun or snow. New to the Rocky Mountains?Our first Starter Guide to Banff details when, where, and how to visit.
It's easy to hide away from the impeccable Boutique Hotel Wachtelhof, a cozy, upscale mountain hut tucked away on the powdery slopes of the Austrian Alps. This unique European ski resort boasts a 17th-century farmer's cottage converted spa that looks like a gingerbread house dripping with frosting. Blending old-world accents (antlers, wooden beams and roaring flames) with modern luxury, Heurigen Spa features three different saunas – Finnish sauna, herbal sauna and infrared sauna – as well as an outdoor pool illuminated by lanterns under snowy pine trees.