The mountains are always a guarantee, in every season, but especially during the coldest months of the year. Among enthusiasts there are those who love the mountains for the ski slopes, those who mainly enjoy snowy panoramas, and those who would never pass up a tasty break in front of a warm fire. But which are the best mountain refuges in Italy to experience these moments? The first edition of the Guide to the Best Mountain Clubs of Italy 2026 reveals them, awarding the most interesting establishments among the Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.
The Mountain Hut Oscars were awarded on October 27 at Palazzo Lombardia, during the Grand Gala of Mountain Clubs, organized as part of the Milano Mountain Show. The editorial project, conceived by Andrea Guolo and realized with Giambattista Marchetto and Tiziana Di Masi for Morellini Editore, selected 109 structures distributed across 32 ski areas.
They are not merely huts where you stop for lunch after a ski run, but true destinations capable of combining gastronomy, design, sustainability, and evocative atmospheres. Here are the awarded addresses to note for your next mountain vacation, according to The Way Magazine.
The Best Mountain Huts in Italy 2026
To claim the most prestigious recognition, the Kettmeir Award – Best Mountain Club 2026, two establishments were awarded ex aequo: Sunny Valley Kelo Mountain Lodge, in Santa Caterina Valfurva, Lombardy, and Alpinn by Norbert Niederkofler, in the Plan de Corones area, in South Tyrol.
The former, set in the spectacular Alpine scenery of Valtellina, offers a hospitality experience that blends the charm of mountain lodges with contemporary comfort. A place to enjoy the snow-covered landscape, treat yourself to moments of relaxation, and experience the mountains even away from the slopes.
Completely different, yet equally captivating, is the experience offered by Alpinn by Norbert Niederkofler, the culinary project of the South Tyrolean chef with three Michelin stars. Here the cuisine becomes the star of a sensory journey that valorizies the Alpine territory and its ingredients, in one of the Dolomites’ most beloved ski areas.
Both establishments earned the maximum recognition foreseen by the guide, the three gold snowflakes, awarded to mountain clubs scoring over 90 points in the overall evaluation.
Three other addresses also achieved this prestigious result: Stella di Pila, in Pila, in the Aosta Valley, Doss Alpine Style, in Pinzolo, in Trentino, and Fienile Monte, at Passo Sella, in Trentino.
The Other Awarded Mountain Clubs
In addition to the overall winners, the inaugural edition of the Italian Hut Oscars bestowed a series of special recognitions, dedicated to the features that make a high-altitude experience unique. The selection was based on evaluating five fundamental criteria: location, design, dining, quality and sustainability, atmosphere. Each criterion received a score from 1 to 20, then translated into a recognition system represented by snowflakes.
For those who love breathtaking views, the Best View award went to the Scoiattoli Refuge of Cortina d’Ampezzo, famed for its privileged position in front of the Five Torri. One of the most iconic settings in the Dolomites, particularly striking during the winter season when the peaks are blanketed in snow.
Gastronomy enthusiasts can instead mark Col Alt, in Corvara in Badia, as winner of the Best Restaurant Mountain Club. The hut stood out for its gourmet culinary offering, which helped transform the traditional lunch on the slopes into a refined dining experience.
The Best Design award went to Oberholz, in Obereggen, in South Tyrol, thanks to an innovative architectural project capable of engaging with the surrounding mountain landscape.
There is also room for fun with the Best Après-Ski prize, earned by the Super G Italian Mountain Club of Madonna di Campiglio, a reference point for those who enjoy extending their day on the snow with music and entertainment.
Finally, the Territori Sostenibili Award was attributed to Kosmo Taste the Mountain, in Livigno-Mottolino, for its focus on sustainability and the quality of the proposed experience.
