9 Mountain-Coded Perfumes That Whisper "I Own A Luxury Chalet in the Alps"

Key notes: Bergamot, blackcurrant, galbanum, orange, tea, ozonic accord, musk, sandalwood

You know the first breath of fresh mountain air that fills your lungs on the first day of a ski trip? This fragrance is that moment, bottled. With a refreshing burst of bergamot and orange, it opens into an ozonic accord that perfectly captures the specific feeling of cold, crisp Alpine air and breathtaking scenery of snowy peaks and bright blue skies. It dries down to a musky, sandalwood base, making it feel as cosy as wearing cashmere in a luxury chalet come evening. It's undoubtedly one of the best Creed perfumes.

Key notes: Bergamot, carrot seed, jasmine grandiflorum Karmaflor, benzoin resinoid, laos, cistus labdanum

One of my best friends wears this scent, and it creates a halo of snowy luxury around her whenever she wears it; it's a real compliment-magnet. Picture glistening snow in the late afternoon sun during aprés ski, but with faux fur jackets and big sunglasses (it's a Tom Ford perfume, after all). It has frosty florals of jasmine and sparkling bergamot, while having just the right amount of muskiness to make you feel cosy. It oozes luxury, and the newer parfum version makes it long-lasting on the skin.

Key notes: Bergamot, juniper berries, lemon, pepper, incense, orris, pine needle, amber, sandalwood, vanilla

This fragrance is a breath of cold mountain air as you walk amongst snow-dusted pine trees. To me, it's less winter-coded and more akin to a hike in an Alpine forest during spring when the snow begins to melt, but there's still a freshness in the air. It's light and airy, capturing the cold chill of a sunny morning on a pine-covered mountain, with vibrant lemon and citrussy bergamot and the crisp, resinous pine needles. It's one of the best Byredo perfumes and is so wearable thanks to its lightness and freshness.

Key notes: Wet wood, Pacific spray accord, eucalyptus, cardamom, rosemary, magnolia, cone cypress, dry leaves accord

Moving away from the snow-capped peaks, Big Sur Eucalyptus transports you to the mountains of Big Sur of California's Pacific coastline. The fragrance was inspired by the brand's hugely popular candle, Big Sur After Rain, and it captures the scent of a dewy forest after rainfall. Imagine the herbaceous scent of pine trees and eucalyptus as you hike through mist-covered mountains. It's balmy, woody, dewy and so refreshing. It's one of my favourites from D.S & Durga.

Key notes: Canadian fir, pink pepper, lavender, oakmoss, praline accord

I found this affordable Zara perfume under its men's fragrance section, but it perfectly captures the woody, resinous feeling of a snowy mountain forest thick with fir trees. You can practically feel the cold air when you spray it, and it has a refreshing crispness of frozen pine needles and sparkling pink pepper. However, the addition of praline gives it a subtle sweetness that unfurls throughout the day.

Key notes: Pine needles, fennel, juniper, geranium, cardamom, cistus, hay, fir balsam

Fans of spicy perfumes, step this way. This fragrance is so invigorating, cool and crisp, and it feels like burying your nose directly into frosted pine needles while feeling a cool, Alpine breeze caress your skin. It's more aromatic than the others on this list with spicy cardamon, fennel and resinous cistus, while the dry down of the hay gives it a cosy, earthy quality as it dries down.

Key notes: Cardamom, patchouli, musk, cedarwood, ambergris

Warm, spicy and woody, Nordic Cedar makes you feel like you're hunkering down in a chalet built from cedarwood with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to a thick, wintry forest. The cardamom brings a spicy warmth before the cedarwood and patchouli create an earthy, woody scent that feels so grounding and calming as it dries down on the skin. It's a stunning, wintry, woody perfume.

Key notes: Saffron, juniper berries, cardamom, suede, bourbon, violet, praline, guaiacwood, labdanum, musk, vanilla, patchouli, cedarwood, sandalwood

Imagine the exhilaration of skiing off-piste, feeling the invigorating mountain air as you dart through snow-topped fir trees down the slopes. This Ellis Brooklyn scent is woodsy and piney, and ushers in a sensual musk, vanilla and bourbon as it wears on the skin, making it cosy and boozy, like you're drinking a whisky next to a fireplace.

Key notes: Bergamot, black pepper, pimento Berry, cardamom, cedarwood, patchouli, pine

If you want something a little woody and smoky, then The Nue Co Forest Lungs is a great choice to go for. It makes you feel like you're deep in the forest, surrounded by luscious evergreens with the scent of a campfire unfurling nearby. Inspired by the concept of forest bathing, it's a functional fragrance that contains molecules that replicate phytoncides that are released by trees in the forest, helping to ease stress and anxiety as you inhale it—it's a comfort-blanket scent.