Double-height living rooms warmed by crackling fires; cozy bedrooms under the eaves, beds piled high with down comforters; rustic kitchens with rough-hewn wood beamsmountain houses offer the perfect winter refuge. And in the spring, when the weather turns warm, doors and windows are flung open to take in views of verdant valleys and pristine lakes.

Nowhere is the beauty of living in the mountains more evident than in the Alps, where the spectacular landscape has given rise to equally gorgeous homes. In Mountain Houses, photographer Philippe Saharoff takes us to 30 of these lovely chalets, farmhouses, and cottages, located in Chamonix, Gstaad, and other picturesque towns of the Swiss and French Alps.

More than 300 stunning photographs, taken in all seasons, bring the rustic charm and timeless comfort of each home to life. While wood and stone are the predominant materials, the houses are decorated in a wide range of styles. Some are accented with contemporary touches; others have been renovated or completely reinvented; still others are new houses constructed to blend into the countryside. Whatever their style, these are houses we want to enter and linger in, and Mountain Houses gives us a welcome invitation.