Above the Snow

Above the Snow is a story-driven management game — or rather, a narrative tycoon game — about a group of "friends" running a mountain resort with the aim of making it the best in the region. Set in the snow-covered Alps of the 1960s, it combines base-building and decoration elements with character-driven storytelling and a struggle for survival against the cold, similar to Frostpunk, but less intense and dark.

Players build and customise a mountain lodge in a distinctive mid-century style, with partnerships from outerwear label Cortazu, Scandinavian furniture manufacturer Fjordfiesta, and classic American modern furniture brand Heywood-Wakefield. They must take care of arriving guests and hikers, which involves ensuring there are enough resources in stock. This involves providing meals, organising sleeping arrangements, creating storage space, entertaining guests and heating the lodge. Expanding and decorating the lodge is enjoyable and satisfying, largely because the scenario feels so fresh and original.

Of course, the lodge does need to be kept running. To achieve this, players must manage the staff and assign them tasks flexibly, whether in the kitchen, warehouse or workshop, or for outdoor activities in deep snow. However, each worker has their own strengths and weaknesses. Through a technology tree, players unlock new interior elements, furniture, staff bonuses and equipment - this is the primary progression system. Furthermore, smart decor choices, expanded services and a system that rewards good hospitality can accommodate both more demanding guests and casual tourists alike, which also upgrades the resort. But it can quickly become difficult to meet guests' expectations here, as the difficulty level rises too sharply. However, the developers plan to rebalance the game with upcoming patches. This also applies to the interface and controls (construction mode for trails), which are somewhat clunky in the base version.

There's plenty to do outside the resort as well. Away from the lodge, players plan and secure hiking routes of varying difficulty to suit guests' different skills and preferences. They also uncover stories, rescue injured or stranded climbers and transport goods. Despite the dangers and sudden weather changes, the game maintains a fairly relaxed tone and does not punish the player too harshly for mistakes. There is a story campaign (lasting approximately 20 hours) and an endless mode.

What’s no longer quite so cozy, however, is the micromanagement, especially of staff, which quickly becomes repetitive and tiresome. The developers plan to address this with Patch 1.3, which is scheduled for July. This update will introduce a scheduler-based automation system, enabling players to assign and optimise crew tasks across their entire survival operation. The update will also add new Endless Mode events, an expanded crew selection system, further balancing and additional building content. In June, Update 1.2 will be released, expanding the game with a Photo Mode, improved trail maps, additional buildable structures and more intuitive route selection tools.

"We want Above The Snow to simultaneously provide a relaxing escape from real life, while also offering an authentic look at alpine living, by creating an aspirational tycoon simulator that lets you create the resort of your dreams. We look forward to seeing the creative resorts our players come up with!" - Michał Wasiak, Founder and Studio Director at Above The Desk

Above the Snow was developed by Above The Desk, an independent game studio based in Warsaw, Poland, with eight employees. It is the studio's debut game. The publisher is Wandering Wizard. This Los Angeles-based indie publisher has released titles such as Rebel Engine, West Hunt and Survivor Mercs.

"Mountain adventures aren't just about survival, challenges, and danger. In our game, we want to show another side of mountaineering – the alpine haven as a warm, cozy place filled with stories and interesting characters. The gameplay focuses on the adventures of intriguing characters in a unique setting, told through satisfying mechanics related to managing the shelter and preparing mountain trails. We want Above the Snow to be the perfect companion for a cup of hot tea, a cozy blanket, and a crackling fireplace." - Wiktor Książek, Lead Game Designer and Game Owner at Above the Desk

Above the Snow was released for PC on 23 April 2026 for €24.50. There is also the Alpine Edition, which includes a digital artbook with over 180 pages of concept art and illustrations, a digital soundtrack and a 3D printable file of Brutus, the mascot dog.

Conclusion

Above the Snow boasts a fresh setting and solid concept, but could have benefited from a little more refinement at launch. However, improvements are planned via updates. Perhaps a short Early Access period would have been better?

Features

• Fresh, original scenario
• Management and administration of a cozy mountain retreat
• Designing trails on the mountain and other activities outside the lodge