The best-known towns in the Swiss Alps are the ski resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz, but skiing isn’t their only attraction. Winter or summer, you can expect a lively nightlife scene. Known for its posh hotels, St. Moritz was well-established as a year- round resort even before it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928.

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© BADRUTT’S PALACE HOTEL

The 5-star Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is often credited for putting St. Moritz on the map as one of Europe’s most sparkling resorts for well- to-do travelers. Badrutt’s is joined by several others where you can dine and drink in splendid surroundings. To meet and party with locals, travelers find a warm welcome at Hemingway’s Club or at Papperla Pub, also with music and dancing; you’ll find no shortage of nightclubs.

With more of a secluded feel because of its remote setting at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt’s cozy village center brims with places for a drink or warming pot of cheese fondue after a day of skiing or hiking. These two resort towns, along with Interlaken, also offer the widest range of shopping (don’t forget to bring home gifts of Swiss chocolate).

© CHLODVIG | DREAMSTIME.COM

For a one-of-a-kind tour, travel between St. Moritz and Zermatt on the Glacier Express, one of the world’s most famous railways. The seven-hour journey through the Alps crosses deep gorges on 291 bridges with constantly changing Alpine views.

Other Swiss ski resorts also offer year-round destinations for hikers and outdoor lovers, with the after-5 scene moving to terraces for sunset mountain views that last as late as 9 p.m. in summer. You’ll find a traditional Alpine vibe and great nightlife at both Saas-Fee and Crans-Montana, with plenty of clubs and bars (more than two dozen in Crans-Montana). In Saas-Fee, both Zur Mühle and Black Bull have terraces.

Although specifically LGBTQIA+ venues are rare, everyone is welcome in Alpine towns, especially Arosa, where, since 2005, the last week of January has been Arosa Gay Ski Week. Known as the world’s most gay-friendly ski resort, Arosa flies its rainbow flag year-round.

In the valley surrounded by Alpine peaks, Interlaken offers a year-round center for Alpine tourism known for its spas and wellness retreats. With four hours of after-5 daylight in the summer, you can spend the evening floating around Lake Thun in a sauna boat or in a HotTug — a hot tub submerged in the lake.