Here are 14 mountain photos for winter climbing motivation some of you may need as the season approaches. Lax your boredom for a bit and enjoy these amazing shots from around the world. Check out some of these neat facts while you’re at it.

1. The Dolomites, Italy

One of our favorites shots featured on our Instagram page, here’s a shot of the gorgeous rocky Dolomites of Italy.

The Dolomites happened to be a favorite climbing site for the late Tom Ballard, who perished on Nanga Parbat in March 2019.

2. The Summit of the Eiger

No phrase is more famous than “The North Face of the Eiger,” for many reasons. Whether we are using it as a template to depict the craziness that are North Faces of iconic mountains or just remembering harrowing expeditions, this mountain is the king of the phrase. The late Ueli Steck made history climbing this mountain in just 2 hr. 22 min. 50 sec. on 16 November 2015.

Here’s a shot of the snow-capped summit of the Eiger. Taking it back to Tom Ballard, he climbed this mountain before he was even born, as he liked to say. His mother, the great Alison Hargreaves, climbed this mountain when she was six months pregnant with Tom. He used to say that it was probably the reason he followed in her footsteps.

3. The Summit of Mount Everest

This one should be immediately recognizable. It’s the highest place on Earth, the summit of Mount Everest. Standing at 29,029 ft. (8848 m.), this mountain is the tallest in the world. It was first summited in 1953 by the great Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa.

What you may not know about Mount Everest is that it grows approximately 1cm per year. However, there’s been some controversy on its current height.

In 2015, an earthquake shook Nepal and many believe Everest lost some height as a result. In 2019, Nepal set out to measure the mountain again after climbers claimed the Hillary Step was either missing or completely gone. The Hillary Step is the only technical part of this mountain.

4. Mount Erebus, Antarctica

When most people think of mountains, they sometimes forget Antarctica. But this continent has two of the world’s most famous mountains, Mount Erebus and Mount Vinson. The latter is the tallest mountain in Antarctica and part of the seven summits list. Mount Erebus is an active volcano, and its last eruption was in 2011. It has an estimated height of 12,448 ft. (3794 m.).

Erebus is also the site of a tragic and controversial plane crash. On 28 November 1979, Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into the side of the mountain at 12:50 PM, killing all 257 occupants on board. Where initially pilot error was cited as the cause, an investigation found evidence of a coverup by the airline and training and flight plan negligence as the cause.

5. Mountains and Ice

There’s no place I’d rather be. Above all mountain shots, the most beautiful are those featuring blue ice formations and deep veins of snow.

If ever there was a pick-your-destination giveaway, here’s where I will be.

6. Isolated Cabins

Okay, I lied. If there’s a giveaway, I’d go here instead. Isolated cabins in the mountains, natural wood-burning fireplaces, a glimpse of a pristine lake, why go anywhere else?

7. Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier is a staple in the mountaineering community and one of Ed Viesturs’ favorite climbs. Viesturs is known as the greatest North American mountaineer and has climbed Rainier over 208 times, one of which he completed with his son. This mountain stands at 14,410 ft. (4392 m.).

On 8 July 2011, Ed Viesturs, Peter Whittaker and Seth Waterfall, as part of First Ascent Guides, guided NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Seattle Seahawks coach Jim Mora and Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke to the summit of Mount Rainier.

Here’s a shot of Mount Rainier in the fall. Not quite winter yet, but why not. It’s beautiful.

8. Ama Dablam, Nepal

Ama Dablam is a mountain located in the Nepalese Himalayas and is part of the Kumbu region. This mountain stands at 22,349 ft. (6812 m.) and was first ascended in 1961 by Mike Gill (NZ), Barry Bishop (US), Mike Ward (UK) and Wally Romanes (NZ).

While not particularly known for excessive accidents, in 2017 Ama Dablam made headlines after Valery Rozov died during an expedition. Rozov was a Russian BASE jumper, who had successfully jumped from some of the world’s highest peaks. He died after jumping in a wingsuit from Ama Dablam and striking a cliff.

9. Mountain-top Dawns and Sunsets

Is there a better sight than watching the sun do its thing from the top of a mountain? From there, higher than any other place for that moment, you can see the Earth as if you were an otherworldly being. There’s no coming down from that high for at least a couple of hours.

10. Mount Fuji, Japan

An active volcano, Mount Fuji measures in at 12,389 ft. (3,776 m.). But its last eruption was in 1707. It’s Japan’s highest point and heralded as one of the world’s most beautiful sights. To date, it remains one of Japan’s three sacred mountains.

11. Mount Robson, British Columbia Canada

Mount Robson is situated in the North American Rocky Mountain range. It’s known as both being the most prominent mountain in this range and the highest point in the Canadian Rocky Mountain range. Located in British Columbia, Canada, Robson is part of the Rainbow Range and is situated within the Robson Provincial Park.

12. Pristine Lakeside Mountains

When the lake is so pristine you can’t tell the difference between up or down, yea, that’s where I want to be. Especially in the winter when the water is so crisp it stares back at you like a mirror, these scenic views are not to die for, but to live for.

13. When Rock Meets Foliage

Nothing exemplifies the sheer size of a mountain than when it literally rises from the ground shedding past the natural foliage as it grows into a naked, rocky peak. Before you even think of climbing it, your first reaction is to stand back and absorb its possessive disposition over nature.

14. Snowy Mountains

Last but not least, there’s something to be said about the vastness of snow-covered mountain ranges and icy environments. They shrink you down to your size. With nothing around you but cold, black rock and white ice, you come to realize here is where you’ll learn what you’re really made of.

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